Every year, the OFFICE ROKA conference, organized by CBRE, brings a new perspective on the future of office spaces. The year 2024 is no exception and reflects the rapidly changing world of work. People are returning to offices primarily for personal contact, and even Generation Z, often labeled as "demanding," prefers working from the office over remote work. The OFFICE ROKA conference also revealed the latest trends in the workplace and offered recommendations on how to make offices more attractive. A panel discussion with the winners of the OFFICE ROKA competition confirmed that bolder and more innovative office spaces are continually emerging in Slovakia.
What most influences the quality of the working environment—acoustics, light, or greenery? The answer is not straightforward, as all factors must work together to create a pleasant environment. As Miroslav Vicen, the Operations Director of Global Workplace Solutions, stated, the key is to maintain a balance between these factors so that employees feel comfortable while keeping the budget in check. On the other hand, Peter Petraško, an acoustics specialist from Saint-Gobain Ecophon, warned that companies should not address acoustics without experts.
Every space and material has its specific requirements, which is why it often pays off to entrust the implementation to professionals rather than relying on DIY solutions. Peter Píš, International Sales Manager at XAL, pointed to a similar situation in lighting: “To ensure accurate color rendering and eliminate unwanted blue light, we use and recommend only high-quality technologies. Cheap solutions can cause flickering and uneven lighting, which decreases productivity.” The discussion also addressed the trend of biophilia and the integration of greenery in workspaces.
Michal Kulla, co-owner and sales director of KULLA, shared his experiences, noting that while hydroponics simplifies plant care in offices, it is ideal for one responsible person to take care of the plants. He also emphasized the importance of collaborating with experts who can recommend suitable plant species based on the conditions of the space and light, as well as determine their appropriate quantity. The office should remain harmonious, not overcrowded like a jungle.
Peter Gróf, a judge of the OFFICE ROKA competition and director of Workplace Strategies at CBRE Slovakia, has long emphasized the importance of paying adequate attention to workspaces and the people working in them.
"There are four key areas that fundamentally influence the experience of the working environment: the space itself, technology, corporate culture, and services. It is also important to devote enough time to preparing new offices, including involving architects and consultants in the entire process."
Martin Marko, sales director of Immocap and representative of the Overall Winner of the OFFICE OF THE YEAR competition, advises: “Don’t leave anything to chance and don’t underestimate preparation. Allow enough time for relocation, as new offices can significantly advance both the company and its employees.”
Tomáš Lodňan, CEO of GoodRequest, which received the award for the Healthy Office, humorously remarked: “If we wanted to meet all employees' requirements for offices, they would look like a hybrid between a scooter and a rocket.” It is important to find a balance between employees’ expectations and real possibilities, while also considering the budget. GoodRequest had a clear vision from the beginning—to create spaces that would not only last a few years but endure for over a decade and become the flagship of the company.
Offices must be designed to remain attractive even after more than 15 years. Michal Kremeň, director of support and services at Slovenské elektrárne, which won the award in the Office as DNA of the Company category, adds: “It is important for offices to look excellent even after a decade and still appear attractive.
Furniture plays an important role even from a long-term perspective. Michael Baláš, country manager of Narbutas, noted: “A quality office chair should last more than ten years, and its proper use also benefits the employee’s musculoskeletal system. Therefore, teaching users how to properly utilize chairs and backrests is essential.” Offices are the company’s business card – if designed correctly, they can attract talented individuals and appeal to Generation Z.
Wellbeing for Generation Z is not an advantage but a necessity. As many as 74% of representatives from this generation consider the quality of the workspace to be one of the main factors when choosing an employer, emphasized Laura Blažeková, co-founder of Allheads, in her inspirational lecture.
Generation Z brings a new perspective to the workplace and often openly addresses issues that have long been overlooked in offices. Up to 80% of young people prefer to work in an office designed with their needs in mind. It is important for them to feel respected and heard, which is crucial when creating workspaces for multiple generations. Generation Z is also known for its technological background and emphasis on socialization, collective values, and sustainability.
Sustainability is closely related to WELL certification, which was the topic of a presentation by Silvia Bassadin, director of the ESG and Sustainability Department at CBRE Slovakia. She explained with specific examples how WELL-certified offices should look.
"The WELL certification is closely tied to sustainability and represents a working environment that supports the health and wellbeing of employees. Such offices must meet strict criteria, such as proper air exchange, quality lighting, the inclusion of greenery, ergonomic design, and relaxation spaces. WELL offices are much more attractive to employees, especially for Generation Z, which places a strong emphasis on sustainability and comfort."
According to surveys conducted by companies such as McKinsey & Company, Gallup, and CBRE, the main reason people visit offices is to be with other people. However, effective networking and socialization require a sufficient number of colleagues in the office. Nowadays, work teams often determine for themselves how many days they spend in the office.
Peter Gróf from CBRE presented several attendance models and office occupancy patterns. In a three-day model, for example, Wednesday is the busiest day, while in a fully flexible mode, Monday and Friday are the most popular days for working from home. Many companies are implementing so-called digital Fridays, during which the offices remain empty, while Thursday tends to be the most frequented day.
The future after the "return to offices" will vary by sector and each company's attendance policy, but the general trend is moving towards creating a unique experience in the workplace – the so-called workplace experience.
If you are interested in how your company is managing this transition, CBRE consultants can help analyze employee needs, the impacts of hybrid policies, and optimize the experience of the office environment.
The OFFICE ROKA conference was supported by companies such as XAL, Nespresso, Narbutas, WOOD Real Estate, Bavaris, Slovenská sporiteľňa, Holland and Company, and Kulla. The media partners were StartitUp and Hospodárske noviny.
