Age of hybrid work.
Looking for solutions.
As already stated in the article "Hybrid work, a balancing act", the concept of the classic office has changed rapidly due to the influence of the Corona Pandemic on the working world. It is likely that not everything can be turned back to the old standards. The coming generations on the labor market alone will prevent that. With their needs for more freedom and an improved work-life balance, Generation Z and Y are striving for new work cultures. Already today, the majority of employees who were able to experience the advantages of remote work during the pandemic simply do not want to go back to the standard. What remains is the way forward.
The current approach envisages that companies and workers reinvent their work environment in an era of change and adaptability. The current answer seems to lie in hybrid working. The reinvention of the working environment is therefore no longer solely limited to the respective company headquarters. A new type of working environment is characterized by spatial flexibility. The company headquarters becomes the anchor point. It should encourage employees to develop, transport corporate culture and become the center of exchange. Hybrid working requires furniture that can be flexibly adapted. The fusion of comfort and functionality plays a key role in the design of modern workspaces.
"Why does it make sense for the homely and the classic office environment to continue to converge when people would prefer to work from home anyway?"
Basically, from the employee's point of view, the home office offers a number of advantages that the classic office cannot fulfil. These include, among other things, time and cost savings due to the elimination of commutes, etc. In addition to these two effects that strengthen work-life balance, feeling good at home also plays an important role. Many jobs are not yet tailored to today's needs. They are sometimes too static and uncomfortable. Hence the mission: the living space, the office and everything in between must converge to create a perfect synergy.
Our motto "Feel at home in the office" already suggests that we at werner works have been dealing with the convergence of homely ambience and working environments for a long time. In recent years we have introduced a number of product lines that make a contribution to future-oriented work cultures.
"Imagine stepping into a space that embodies the seamless union of home office and traditional workspace. How does this look to you?"
We asked our planners and interior designers:
The introduction of flexible working models has blurred the lines between work and personal space. As designers of modern working environments, this offers us a unique opportunity to combine these two worlds. So let's see this as an opportunity.
The meaning of the homely
Homely ambiance brings warmth, comfort and personality to the workspace. By integrating elements found in living spaces, such as comfortable sofas, soft carpets, plants and soft lighting, a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere is created. This not only promotes employee well-being, but also helps encourage creativity and informal interactions.
The role of classic office design
Despite the growing importance of a homely ambience, classic office design should not be neglected. Ergonomic furniture, well-organized workspaces and technical equipment are still of great importance for employee productivity. The aim here is to enable an optimal workflow and to take the needs of the working people into account.
The art of merging
The key lies in the skillful merging of these two aspects. Hybrid work not only means that employees move between the office and home, but also that the advantages of both worlds can be combined. Think cozy lounges with state-of-the-art conference technology, stylish dining areas that invite informal exchanges, or flexible workspaces that adapt to changing needs.
The design of hybrid working environments that combine a homely ambience and classic office design offers numerous advantages. Employees feel motivated and valued in an environment that is both productive and welcoming. Companies benefit from increased employee satisfaction, higher productivity, better collaboration and a more attractive work environment that attracts and retains talent. You can find out what advantages our furniture offers you in the next blog.
