Photo: Relja Ivanić (TX Group)Until recently, hybrid working was only used by advanced companies; now, it is accepted by the majority of businesses. We quickly embraced working from home, online and off-site meetings, and online collaboration and communication softwares. Fewer people come to offices today, so the organization and design needs of the workspace are different and more demanding. Each company is looking for its own recipe and individual approach, but few, when they decide to design their business premises, know what they need. That is why it is crucial for the project team first to get to know the client, the way of doing business, functional and technical needs, and business culture, but also to find out sentimental and emotional references, that is, how employees feel and how they want to feel. I know from my experience that it takes several weeks for this approach to culminate in the creation of a plan with the client as the primary focus. A typical working day is directed, according to the client's profile, from when he starts work until the end of work and when he leaves for home. Furthermore, each aspect of the space is viewed from the standpoint of use and user experience.
BRANKO NIKOLIĆ, ARCHITECT, ANTIPOD STUDIO
SIMULATION OF NATURAL LIGHT
Lighting that adjusts its intensity and temperature to the time of day and simulates natural lighting has very positive visual, biological, and emotional effects and follows the daily cycles of humans.
TX GROUP
This stimulates the productivity of work and the depth of rest during breaks. The lighting standards that are followed in our country are generally outdated.
TX GROUP
Modern lighting requires expert assistance and high-tech equipment. It is necessary to create scenarios and direct the desired atmosphere and feelings when designing.
ACOUSTIC COMFORT
Sound is a very important part of the experience of staying and working in modern offices. In addition to the functional requirements for privacy in some spaces, such as specific conference rooms or focus rooms, the noise level is also part of the overall impression.
POLET
Silence is not a premise. The so-called "white noise" creates an ideal atmosphere for work, where optimal focus is achieved.
NORDEUS
Whether it is reverberations, leaks, penetration, or sound travel, we use acoustic solutions as finishing touches that are both contextual and decorative.
COFFEE + SOCIALIZING
A freshly made omelette for breakfast, a coffee break, a Friday afternoon cocktail... All of that is part of the working day, so the cafeteria, canteen, bar, and coffee lounge have become standard areas of work space today.
SEVEN BRIDGES
These are areas for developing community spirit through private and friendly talks and less formal meetings. The impact of quality and regular nutrition on productivity and efficiency, and especially on a good feeling related to the company, has long been scientifically proven. The culture of drinking coffee has always been important in our country. Global trends have brought that niche to its peak.
NORDEUS
Today, in some of our companies, you can taste the best coffee in the world, not to mention the ice cream. Also, the quality of water, air, and food is becoming the most important issue today, even above comfort.
COLORS
Changes in the atmosphere in the workplace are proven to stimulate brain centers and improve focus and productivity, as well as rest and relaxation.
POLET
Colors are more than just a decorative element; they impact our experiences and feelings and can change our emotional state. Colors fine-tune the abstract holistic proportion of all visual and other elements, such as light, sound, smell, and temperature.
NORDEUS
Only the harmony of all elements gives the desired feeling in certain parts of the space. Colors are a powerful tool to influence the mood and well-being of the users in the space.
NOT ENTIRELY OPEN SPACE
"Open space" has become a buzzword in recent years. It is not so ideal for focused work, but it brings better communication and connection between people, and at the same time, it saves the employer expensive square meters in the world's metropolises.
ZUHLKE
Locally, smaller offices are still valued by employees, although the big disadvantage is the alienation of separate groups. New practices offer us better solutions. Everything between a completely open and a completely closed space is what we call a hybrid. Hybrids have introduced a new way of dividing spaces, including tables, and the multifunctionality of common areas.
TX GROUP
There is no universal recipe. The hybrid plan and its way of use are made according to the user's needs. Parts of the plan remain open but are not personal; they are used by appointment: meeting rooms, booths for online meetings, spaces for casual and informal meetings, relax and leisure zones...
MEETING ROOM
Today, "meeting space" is a broad term. It can be a space separated by a screen with a couple of armchairs, a "meeting booth," a niche in the hallway wall... The classic meeting rooms also received modern equipment, but they are not necessarily rooms with a large table and chairs.
POLET
Meetings have moved from halls to online platforms. The trend of mixed returns to offices brought new challenges. At meetings today, regardless of whether you are in the office or connected from some exotic destination or the children's room, very often an echo appears and it is not a pleasant experience.
ZUHLKE
Some of the potential perspectives are virtual reality (VR) or mixed reality (MR), which is being developed by many industries, including ours.
By: Branko Nikolić
Photo: Relja Ivanić for Antipod Studio
