Future Office
The office is dead. Long live the office. Despite decades of predictions that the office is on the verge of extinction, it is surviving and thriving. Of course things are changing. And changing fast. Digital technologies are transforming not only the work we do, but also the ways our workplaces are designed, built and operated. Automation and AI mean that some jobs will no longer exist whilst others will be created.
But the very essence of the workplace — human interaction and collaboration, remains as necessary as ever. In fact, it is the human focus that is driving this new age, with four generations now in the workplace together for the first time.
Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this book discusses the impacts of these changes on the future of work and workplace. The latest technologies are also explored from voice and digital twins, to new materials such as graphene and battery-powered buildings.
The book looks at what this means for the design process, the role of the architect and physical place itself in the future, and provides a practical guide to help architects, designers, developers, clients and occupiers create office spaces that promote wellbeing, innovation and growth.
Nicola Gillen is Director and Global Practice Lead for Strategy Plus at AECOM. An architect with a business degree, Nicola specialises in the relationship between behaviour and the built environment along with navigating the different demands of architect, design team, developer, client and occupier, and leads on the future of work and offices for AECOM globally. She regularly publishes and speaks at conferences.