It is not worth saving on office equipment
What affects the quality of work spaces more: acoustics, light or greenery? Neither option is correct by itself. One does not function properly without the other. As Miroslav Vicen, the operations director of Global Workplace Solutions confirmed in the panel discussion, it is important to balance all factors of the work environment so that people feel comfortable and at the same time the budget is not exceeded. However, as Peter Petraško, an acoustics specialist at Saint-Gobain Ecophon, warned those present, he does not recommend solving the acoustics on your own.
Each space and each material has its own specifics, and it is often cheaper to rely on experts than on "do-it-yourself" solutions. Peter Píš, International Sales Manager, XAL added that a similar situation exists in the field of lighting: "With regard to the fidelity of color presentation and the suppression of inappropriate blue light, we only use and recommend high-quality technologies. Cheap solutions can cause flickering, uneven lighting and thus a decrease in productivity." In the panel discussion, the speakers also addressed the phenomenon of biophilia and greenery.
Photo: CBRE
From the practical experience of Michal Kulla, co-owner and businessman. from the director of the KULLA company, it follows that although the care of greenery in the office is easier thanks to hydroponics, it should be the responsibility of one person. He recommends contacting experts who will select specific types of plants for the given environment and light conditions, as well as their number. The office should not look like a jungle.
Take your time and contact the more experienced
Judge of the OFFICE ROKA competition and director of CBRE Slovakia's Workplace Strategies Department, Peter Gróf, has long emphasized that it is extremely important to devote enough time to workspaces and people. During this year's conference, in his presentation he showed four spheres of influence that affect the experience of the working environment: 1. the space itself, 2. technology, 3. corporate culture and 4. services.
Sufficient preparation time, including the selection and involvement of architects and consultants in the design of the offices, is absolutely crucial. "Don't leave anything to chance and don't underestimate preparation. Devote enough time to the relocation, as the new offices can move the company and people forward," advises the representative of the absolute winner of OFFICE ROKA, Martin Marko, Immocap sales director (first from the right in the photo).
"If we wanted to transform all the requirements of the employees into the design of offices, they would look like something between a scooter and a rocket," said Tomáš Lodňan, CEO of GoodRequest, which won first place in the Healthy Office category, jokingly. It is important to find the intersection of expectations, to balance requirements and needs, of course also within the limits of the budget. From the beginning, in GoodRequest, they had a vision of spaces that would actually be the company's flagship and would not be conceived for a year or two, but for more than a decade.
"Offices must look fantastic for more than 15 years, and even after this period they should still be attractive," added Michal Kremeň, director of the support and services department at Slovenské elektrárne, which won the category Office as a company's DNA. "I am convinced that a high-quality office chair will last more than a decade, and the user's locomotor system will also appreciate it. It is important to teach users how to use the chair and armrests correctly," says Michael Baláš, country manager of Narbutas. Offices are simply a company's calling card and, if designed correctly, can attract talented people and appeal to Gen Z as well.
For Generation Z, well-being is not a benefit, but a matter of course
"Wellbeing is something that for Gen Z is not a benefit, but a necessity. For 74% of representatives of Generation Z, the space in which they have to work is one of the key factors in choosing an employer," said Laura Blažeková, co-founder of Allheads, in an engaging lecture.
According to her, they bring a fresh perspective and often name what has been left unsaid in offices for a long time. Up to 80% of young people want to work in an office, and the space should be there for them. Respect and the feeling that they have been heard are important for them, which is key in the creation of multigenerational workplaces. Generation Z are technological natives and post-materialists, they care more about the collective, socialization and sustainability.
The WELL certification is also related to sustainability and ESG. Silvia Bassadin, director of the ESG & Sustainability department, CBRE Slovakia, presented the conference participants with real examples of what WELL offices can and should look like. It is a working environment designed with the health and well-being of employees in mind, but it must respect several rules, for example, strict requirements for air exchange, lighting, greenery, or for ergonomic design or relaxation areas. However, WELL offices are more attractive to people and especially to Gen Z.
What will happen after the "back to the office" period?
Various surveys from companies such as McKinsey & Company, Gallup and CBRE show that people go to the office because of other people. But the basic prerequisite for networking and socializing is to be in the wild