Shared desk – Back to the office of the future

But what does that look like in actual reality?

My department is a pilot area for testing the shared-desk model. I use a seat-booking system to reserve my workplace for the days I intend to work in the office. The system also shows me who else will be in the office on that day and where my colleagues will be seated. Furthermore, I can see which IT equipment is available at that particular workplace. As a personal assistant, on my office days I would like to have a seat close to where my boss works, for example. That is why I use the “favourite seat” function in the booking software, which enables me to book my preferred workplace in next to no time.

Each employee needs a mobile terminal in order to participate in the shared-desk model. A selection of compatible units has been compiled for this purpose and distributed to employees before the pilot phase started.

My personal items like keyboard, mouse and a headset are kept in a lockable caddy labelled with my name. I wheel this caddy to the desk I’ve booked and once I’ve finished work in the office, I put it back in its parking slot. There will also be lockers in future, for those who don’t want to have a caddy.

Office-space makeover

But it is not just human-engineered workplaces that are part of the shared-desk model. Some other pieces of furniture have also made their way onto our floor. And that brings me neatly to the biggest change of all, which is closely linked to the structural transformation of the office. Today, the focus is first and foremost on collaboration. The office is the meeting point for teamwork, creativity, brainstorming, discussions and socialising.

My favourite piece of furniture in our new office is a business couch. Its high backrest made of soundproofing elements serves as a partition and makes it a highly comfy sofa while also offering some privacy. So it is ideally suited for brief meetings with up to four people when no IT equipment is needed. And there is always room for your cup on the coffee table.

There are also two silent boxes surrounded by man-high walls, each consisting of two benches and a table with charging equipment. They offer space for four people and serve to reduce noise levels in the shared-desk area since small face-to-face meetings or lengthy Teams meetings can be held there. Anyone wishing for more privacy can also go into a phone booth. There you can talk for hours on end or attend a virtual meeting without headsets, without disturbing those around you. Another highlight: An area with long tables and bar stools was created in front of the kitchens, inviting people to spend their breaks together.

Thanks to the office-space makeover, there are now attractive workplaces and a variety of retreat options, so that work and communication can be combined to optimum effect. In most cases, your workplace at home does not offer these possibilities. That is why I appreciate the flexibility to choose where I’d like to work, depending on the specific tasks I’ll be tackling. For it is an undisputable fact that hybrid working is here to stay.