22 business focus Fourfront Group chairman Aki Stamatis gives an insight into the future ‘office’
Welcome to the workplace revolution – a 21st century journey into space
'The workplace has experienced a revolution and it’s still in progress. It was started by the Internet and is now being driven by the digitally-aware millennial generations who have a very different approach to life, and the nature and longevity of their employment,' states Aki Stamatis at the Egham-based head office of commercial interior design specialists, Fourfront Group
business community, BYOD usage, less workplace formality, and flexible working – all catalysts sparking serious disruption in workplace thinking and design.
Then bring in the ‘Battle for Talent’ within skill-short sectors – with many corporates increasingly aiming to attract and retain valued employees through a desirable workspace environment – and the result is the ongoing revolution in the mode of working.
. . . and their wide-ranging impacts
“Faced with such changes the purpose of an office premises comes into question. Does it need to be a 24/7 workplace? Does it need to shrink or grow to meet business needs? How does the developer design such a building; a landlord market his leases when you can’t predict what will happen short- term?”
The answer is already revealing itself as cost- efficient changeability says Stamatis – buildings developed with fewer internal facilities, allowing simpler refurbishment or redesign.
He defines an optimum work environment as how the workforce, individually and as teams, experience their jobs within the workspaces in which they achieve their business objectives.
Stamatis says work encompasses three key aspects:
• People – the talent, culture and type of employees involved
• Space – the favoured working environments of employees (and visiting clients)
• Technology – the tools they use.
Companies creating the right alignment of that trio have the foundation for a successful company, he adds. “Productivity will be the output of their correct interaction.”
He should know. By name and nature Fourfront Group has tangibly led UK workspace change through its creative design, fit-out and furnishing of more than 10 million sq ft of commercial interiors since the company began in 2000.
Today, Fourfront Group, consisting of four complementary businesses – Area Sq (design and fit-out), Sketch Studios (furniture & logistics), 360 Workplace (consultancy), Cube Interior Solutions (traditional contracting and light industrial specialists) – operates in a wide range of industries from startups to large corporates across the UK and Europe. Fourfront has a turnover exceeding £130 million and more than 280 staff.
www.businessmag.co.uk The wide-ranging catalysts of change . . .
Is it a revolution or simply an evolution? “Maybe a bit of both,” Stamatis admits, but stresses that current changes in the way we work are having a far wider impact than simply the redesign of traditional working premises.
Change is happening in all sectors and there’s no one-size-fits-all workplace design answer. Globally, there is simply a growing realisation that the right working environment is a key determinant of the type of work, productivity and wellbeing within a 21st century workforce.”
Today, we don’t need workplaces, but places where people want to work, says Stamatis.
He also highlights the ‘revolutionary’ influence of Generation Y and Z, with their preference for ‘portfolio careers’ consisting of interesting, convenient, but shorter-term job roles, perhaps in varied sectors. “More and more people are seeing themselves as independent contractors rather than company employees, which is leading to different work cultures within businesses.”
Easy Internet access enabling multi-device 24/7 globalised communication, home and remote working, and cloud services, has already brought into question the location, size and functional requirements of future workplaces.
Add to this, social media influences within the
“The right furniture and interior design can significantly alter a workspace environment.” Large office blocks are being demolished or converted to mixed-use premises. “Understanding the metrics and the efficiency of building space usage will be part of our future.”
Area Sq is now frequently consulted by developers and landlords seeking an insight into the needs of modern occupiers.
With Internet technology providing locational freedom for workforces, the values of commercial property – often a key investment area for the City – may alter and instigate financial market change. Similarly, home-working from attractive regions may cause house prices to soar – as currently evidenced in the Thames Valley.
Not that city workplaces will disappear, says Stamatis. Office buildings will continue to be needed. There are certain anchor job roles that are most productive when in a traditional busy, collaborative office environment.
“The urbanisation of work is ongoing, supported by improved transport links and a proven lifestyle appeal of convenient shopping, dining, arts and entertainment options.”
While the revolution in the way we work may change how we do business forever, the human need will remain to meet colleagues and
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – FEBRUARY 2016
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