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https://www.archdaily.com/1016978/office-pods-can-respond-to-key-commercial-real-estate-challenges
After various surveys and polls, many in the office-focused U.S. real estate market (CBRE, JLL, Gallup) agree that managers and operators need to offer flexible, amenity-rich offices to support the modern employee commute. Broadly speaking, we are all being asked to do more with less space, and for many in the office space industry, pods will be part of the solution. Consider the trends that support this idea:
First, there's the challenge of return to the office (RTO), which has persisted for years to come post-COVID. Roughly half occupancy rates outline our new normal. One Envoy survey found that 80% of employers regret their initial RTO efforts after encountering resistance. This explains why only 4% of companies are still focused on bringing their teams back, according to The Conference Board.
What are leaders prioritizing instead of bringing employees back? Attracting and retaining top talent. A key consideration here is that flexibility is key for today's employees. In an August 2023 FlexJobs poll, 63% of workers said they would even take a higher salary in exchange for the freedom to work remotely. In this increasingly hybrid world, solutions like workpods offer features that are well-suited to the reality of remote work. For example, video pods like hushFree.S Hybrid Call Booths help connect and collaborate on-site and at-home employees during virtual meetings and phone calls. Soundproof and sealed, these booths buffer the office floor from excessive noise while protecting users' focus and privacy.
HushFree.S is a portable, all-in-one workpod for calls, video conferencing and focused work. Image courtesy of Hushoffice
For many businesses, adapting to lower occupancy rates also means downsizing. Cushman & Wakefield predicts there will be 1 billion square feet of unused office space by 2030. With 75% of businesses planning to reduce space this year, every square foot becomes even more valuable. For example, smart use of hallways, corners and under staircases will be key. Optimizing with the right space-efficient solutions can help businesses ensure their offices support socialization and retain all the human elements of hybrid work to reap the benefits. It's a win-win for employees in terms of fulfillment and meaning, and for employers in terms of progress.
Pods are a clever solution to these small office space challenges. Like booths like hushFree.S, pods are compact, space-efficient, and purely functional. For smaller team meetings, consider hushFree.M, an ISO 23351 Class A rated, four-person pod that's acoustically superior, noise-free, and conversation-private. A booth like hushFree.M can comfortably accommodate four people in just 33 square feet of space.
HushFree.M offers multiple options for interior installation. Image courtesy of Hushoffice
Another office trend is the gradual adoption of flexible space. This includes not only flexible lease agreements but also flexible layouts and furniture. With 43% of companies planning to introduce more flexible space by 2025, it makes sense that interiors will need to become more flexible to accommodate. Mobile, user-adjustable furniture will increasingly accommodate the influx of changing spaces. Pods meet the requirement of flexibility as they are mobile and self-supporting structures. HushFree pods in particular are available both furnished and unfurnished, and feature adjustable lighting and ventilation, allowing users to fine-tune the environment to create the best atmosphere for focused work. Simple, employee-centric design helps create a productive and enjoyable office for hybrid workers.
The growing demand for amenities is also one of the factors driving the adoption of pods. Simply put, buildings with the right amenities will win. Gensler reports that work-focused amenities have the greatest impact on employees, and pods have emerged as a viable option for this trend as well. As a final example, the large 4-6 person hushFree.L booths (which can also be found throughout the hushFree collection) can be rearranged and moved as meetings and group work requirements grow, providing the right environment of privacy and quiet. Overall, a line of Class A pods such as hushFree may usher in the next phase of the essential evolution of the office.
HushFree.L is a separate meeting and relaxation space for 4-6 people. Image courtesy of Hushoffice
Check out the hushFree line in the Class A office booths at Haworth’s NeoCon and Thinkspace showrooms (3rd floor 312 and 10th floor 1099, respectively).
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Envoy: “Without Accurate Data, the Physical Workplace Will Not Survive” The Conference Board C-Suite Outlook 2024 FlexJobs August 2023 Survey Cushman & Wakefield Obsolescence Equals Opportunity Robin Office Space Report 2023 JLL Future of Work Survey 2022 Gensler U.S. Workplace Survey 2019
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