Search Results for: future of work

June 17, 2013

The three Rs of the RIBA Awards winners – risk, reticence, recession

Risk, reticence and recession are the 3 Rs that leap out from the education dominated RIBA awards winners. The premise being that only a really bold architect would design something daring at a time of economic constraint. However, given what vanity has been displayed in recent years one would have supposed that boldness would not have been in short supply. It is the reality that falls some way short. A largely egg- and shoe-box inspired collection with windows best described as minimalist, the common theme is seemingly one of modesty. Even the big public projects seem derivative and cautious. Images of the visitor centre for the Giants Causeway (above) in Ireland suggest an attractive scheme but bring to mind Stonehenge, another early attempt at brutalist monolithic human construction with a spiritual dimension. Unless I’m missing something.

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October 2, 2026

University of Bath launches new Centre for Earth System Governance

by Neil Franklin • Environment, News

The University of Bath has launched a new research centre focused on tackling some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, after welcoming hundreds of international researchers and practitioners to the city for the 2026 Conference on Earth System Governance. The new Bath Centre for Earth System Governance (BCESG) was announced during the conference, which brought together 456 delegates from 51 countries and featured 96 sessions exploring how governments, institutions, businesses, civil society, and communities can respond to climate change, biodiversity loss and other interconnected environmental challenges. The event reaffirmed the Earth System Governance Project‘s position as the world’s largest international research community of its kind and provided a fitting backdrop for the launch of the new centre. (more…)

September 25, 2026

Rethinking office space: can phone booths cut costs and free up meeting rooms?

by Marvin Gort • Company news

The hybrid office has found its rhythm. Teams come together on their anchor days to collaborate, share ideas and meet clients, then spend the rest of the week wherever they work best. It is a model that suits people well, and it is encouraging organisations to take a fresh look at how every part of their office is used. Meeting rooms are a natural place to start. On busy days they are in high demand, often for activities that need far less space: a solo video call, a quick one-to-one, an hour of focused work away from the buzz of the open floor. The good news is that there is a simple, flexible way to create more of the right kind of space. Acoustic office pods like those designed by MEAVO, give every type of conversation a home of its own, creating calm, private spaces exactly where people need them. (more…)

September 18, 2026

Over-reliance on Gen-AI may weaken moral insights, understanding, and know-how

by Neil Franklin • AI, News

Generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) has become a routine part of working life but over-reliance on the technology may erode managers’ ability to build moral insights, contextual understanding and know-how to do get a job done, according to a new study from the University of Bath. The research, published in the Academy of Management Review, explores how tools such as ChatGPT may affect what academics call “managerial phronesis” – the practical wisdom managers develop through real-world experience, reflection and human interaction. (more…)

September 8, 2026

Europe’s large firms want better offices, but are less keen on paying extra for them

by Neil Franklin • News, Property, Workplace design

Nearly two-thirds of large European office occupiers expect to relocate some of their operations over the next three years, as organisations seek better quality workplaces while becoming increasingly reluctant to pay a premium for them. According to CBRE’s 2026 European Office Occupier Sentiment Survey, 65 percent of respondents are planning relocations. Nine in ten say they would reject offices that do not provide the amenities they require, yet the proportion willing to pay extra for those amenities has fallen from 54 percent last year to 48 percent. (more…)

September 8, 2026

The best easy-to-use HR software for small businesses in 2026

by Freddie Steele • Company news

Running a small business means your time is always in demand, so every tool you invest in needs to make life easier. Human resources can quickly become one of the biggest administrative challenges as your team grows, with hiring, onboarding, leave requests, employee records, compliance, performance reviews and document management all competing for your attention. Typically, a well-designed HR platform brings those tasks together in one place, helping you spend less time on administration and more time supporting your people and growing your business. The strongest platforms in 2026 combine simple navigation with practical automation, giving you professional HR tools without the steep learning curve that often comes with enterprise software. (more…)

August 19, 2026

Third of people think AI would do a better job than their human manager

by Neil Franklin • AI, News, Workplace

More than a third of UK employees believe replacing their line manager with an artificial intelligence (AI) system would improve their productivity, although a large majority still want performance feedback delivered by a human manager. Polling commissioned by Careerminds UK found that 36.7 percent of employees thought an AI manager would make them more productive, compared with 25.5 percent who expected their productivity to decline. A further 37.8 percent said it would make no difference. (more…)

August 11, 2026

Hubflow acquires 37 Lombard Street as it expands London office portfolio

by Neil Franklin • Company news, Flexible working, Property

Flexible workspace provider Hubflow has acquired the freehold of its 37 Lombard Street site in the City of London as part of a strategy to combine workspace operations with ownership of the properties it occupies. The company has also confirmed plans to open more than 25,000 sq ft of additional flexible workspace across two central London locations, at 60 New Broad Street and 71 Queen Victoria Street, next month. Hubflow said the acquisition of 37 Lombard Street represents the next stage of its London office expansion strategy and a move towards an owner-operator model that differs from the lease-based approach adopted by many flexible workspace providers. (more…)

August 9, 2026

Barbican Centre launches search for furniture designer as part of £231m renewal

by Neil Franklin • News, Workplace design

The Barbican Centre has launched an international search for a designer or design team to develop a new furniture strategy for its public spaces as part of its £231 million renewal programme. The commission will involve creating a bespoke range of up to 500 pieces for the Grade II-listed arts centre, alongside identifying opportunities to reuse existing furniture and introduce suitable off-the-shelf products. The appointment is expected to run from 2026 to 2029.

The competition is open to designers and teams based anywhere in the world, with proposals due by 28 August. A shortlist is expected to proceed to a full tender process in September, with an appointment planned for November. The new furniture will be used throughout the Barbican’s public spaces and could include armchairs, sofas, coffee tables, bar stools, communal benches with parasols and stackable chairs for larger events. Accessibility, flexibility and sustainability will be central to the brief.

The work will cover areas including the Lakeside, Sculpture Court and Learning Spaces, as well as redesigned foyers being developed by Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan Studio.

The Barbican said recent audience feedback, inclusive design work and co-design with visitors had highlighted a need for furniture that was more welcoming, cohesive, accessible and adaptable to the range of activities taking place across the centre.

Furniture has played a significant role in the Barbican’s identity since it opened in 1982. Designer Robin Day produced bespoke seating, sofas, chairs and tables specifically for the building, although much of the original furniture has since been replaced.

Philippa Simpson, chief operating officer at the Barbican Centre, said furniture had always helped shape how people experienced the building. “We’re looking for a designer or design team to create objects of quality and comfort, that respond to the Barbican’s extraordinary architecture and artistic purpose,” she said. “We want these new designs to accommodate the remarkable range of activities that take place in our spaces, ensuring every single visitor knows they are welcome.”

Alex Watt, architect at Asif Khan Studio, said the commission offered an opportunity to extend the design thinking being applied to the centre’s foyers, while retaining the character of the original architecture.

The furniture project forms part of the wider Barbican Renewal programme, which is intended to conserve and upgrade the building ahead of its 50th anniversary while improving its accessibility, sustainability and suitability for future use. The centre receives more than 30,000 visitors on an average day.

Image: The Barbican Archive

July 23, 2026

UK architects arrive at AI ‘tipping point’ – and a new existential crisis

by Neil Franklin • Architecture, News

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the results of the third survey among its members into attitudes towards, and usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI).?It outlines how artificial intelligence (AI) adoption has changed, how its use has developed and how design professionals view the AI-influenced future. The poll found that while adoption is widespread, most respondents don’t think AI improves the quality of their work, and have become more pessimistic about their future as well as the long term impact on the profession as the tech reduces the number of entry level roles. (more…)

July 20, 2026

Railpen secures planning approval for major Smithfield office scheme

by Neil Franklin • News, Property

Railpen has secured planning permission for the redevelopment of 12 Smithfield, paving the way for a major office scheme in the City of London as the surrounding area undergoes significant regeneration. The £34 billion Railways Pension Scheme manager plans to transform the existing building into a 122,000 sq ft office development, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2028. The scheme is intended to provide new office space alongside retail, café and amenity uses, overlooking the historic Smithfield Market site. The project forms part of wider investment in the Smithfield district, where around £400 million is being invested ahead of the opening of the new London Museum in 2028. The museum will occupy part of the former Smithfield Market complex and is expected to become the centrepiece of a new cultural quarter. (more…)

July 15, 2026

Inter-generational collaboration linked to stronger organisational performance, report claims

by Neil Franklin • News, Workplace

Organisations that encourage stronger inter-generational collaboration between different groups of employees are more likely to see improvements in innovation, trust and business performance, according to new research from employee recognition firm O.C. Tanner. The company’s first State of Generations at Work Report, based on responses from more than 5,700 employees across 17 countries, argues that employers should move beyond generational stereotypes and instead focus on creating what it describes as “generational synergy” across their workforces. (more…)