New corporate headquarters: A Liquid Real Estate approach

‘New’ or evolved?
‘New’? I’d say evolved rather than new. After all, reinventing the wheel has never worked, has it?

The main idea we can all agree on is this: ‘Humanity as a whole has come together to question whether the conventional workspace for knowledge workers is still the traditional office following a massive experiment with remote working’. And much has been written on this. We won’t dwell on the same conclusions or send mixed messages. With this article, our intention is to explore how the concept of liquid real estate and other concepts or trends are shaping the workspaces of the future.
Ready?

Your workspace has to compete with your employees’ homes.

In recent years, we have made important life decisions: looking for bigger homes in different neighbourhoods or cities, equipping them with everything needed to work comfortably… So, how can a stark, minimalist, cold space be more tempting and attractive than my own warm, comfortable and colourful home? Companies must design offices as pleasant and attractive environments where one feels almost better than at home.

80-20, but the other way round

Traditionally, office design was characterised by 80% of the space being dedicated to individual work and the remaining 20% to collaboration (via meeting rooms). Although this ratio has shifted over the last decade to around 60-40%, the current demand for going to the office is mainly to collaborate and socialise with colleagues. Therefore, the proportions have been completely reversed.

Allocate 80% of your office space to collaboration, meetings and socialising, and reserve 20% for individual work. This layout reflects the core of liquid real estate, where offices become hubs that enable connection, collaboration and sharing, whilst also facilitating focused work.

While I’m at it… What else can you offer me?

Once we’ve convinced professionals that the office is a pleasant space where they can collaborate according to their needs… how about making them fall in love with their workplace by offering value-added services that complement the company experience?

A modern office needs not just cafés or gyms, but hybrid and personalised services that enrich the company experience. Offering flexible, sustainable and agile experiences boosts employee motivation. Furthermore, creating an ongoing dialogue with staff allows services to be tailored to their real needs, thereby aligning physical spaces with corporate culture.

Creating a story, a unique experience, is the key to the concept

In addition to all of the above, it is important to bring the office to life. Viewing the space as sterile is a mistake. Unlike in the past, when employees had no alternative to the office and simply went there and used it, now we must bring it to life.

It must be a space where things actively happen and the experience is in keeping with the organisation’s culture.

Blending purposes: the flexibility of liquid real estate in offices

And finally… does the office have to be just an office? Do we need a private space with a single purpose? Just as spaces in cities have multiple uses, and hotels are no longer just hotels but also restaurants, clubs, terraces and summer swimming pools… Why can’t we do the same with offices?

What if a sports club and an office coexist in the same space? Or a co-living and co-working space? Or a venue for events? What if there’s a bar? Wellness spaces?