The convergence of work and life in the gig economy
As with where we live, how we work is part of a bigger lifestyle choice. As such, we see an ever-greater overlap between the two. The idea of a nine-to-five job and a commute is dissolving, as the number of self-employed workers aged 16 to 24 has nearly doubled since 2001. This freelance revolution has led to an enhanced reliance on technology for flexibility (by 2020 80% of the world’s population will have smartphones) but also a growing need for different kinds of security and community.
Property development is evolving to cater to these changing occupier demands, with flexible office space standing at the forefront. CBRE found that 92% of landlords agree flexible office space is on the brink of becoming mainstream. To landlords, the biggest perceived benefit of flexible space is an increased ability to retain occupiers as they grow.
“Landlords are having to up their game due to the likes of WeWork. They have been used to a clean ride. They can’t do that anymore, They have to do all these extra things to ensure they’re not losing customers.” Adam Strudwick, Principal at HLW, a design architecture and planning company.
Shared workspaces have grown at a rate of 200% over the past five years. In major cities such as London, New York and Chicago they are expanding at an annual rate of 20%. WeCompany, valued at $20 billion, has become the largest corporate office occupier in London and is diversifying into wellness-oriented clubs such as Rise By We and education with WeGrow. It also led the $32 million investment made in women’s coworking club the Wing.
The unwavering convergence of the way we work and live has created a whole new category of consumer needs in the workspace, and is changing cities year on year. Sam Lawson-Johnston and George Haddo of Kinrise Real Estate transformed several uninspiring and unloved buildings in Manchester with the needs of young graduates and professionals in mind, and they are seeking to employ younger and younger people to help advise them on those needs.
New developments like these are more than just cookie cutter sprawling breakout spaces, cafes and workstations. The buildings themselves represent an environment open to collaboration between employees.
Alphabeta Building
The reception area in London’s Alphabeta building is purpose-built to facilitate interaction and meetings in the belief that ‘best working practice stems from interaction, play and chance encounter’.
“Now, as the boundaries between work, company culture and private life blur, the reception area is transforming into a ‘social condenser’ — a space that mediates between all three,” says Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the British Council for Offices. These spaces are overseen by “concierges” or “community managers” rather than reception staff, which reiterates the importance of community and reflects the wider trend of office life/hospitality blending.
Mindspace, LondonNew developments in Aldgate and Shoreditch by coworking firm Mindspace offer amenity-rich spaces, including 24-hour access, a dining room, roof terrace and library. Plus, members join a 14,000 strong global network with access to Mindspace’s offices scattered across the world in Warsaw, Berlin, San Francisco, and Amsterdamamong others.
Each location is different and offers a unique working environment. As Da Zakai Chief Executive says, “every location is bespoke, premium and beautiful in its own way”.
Roam Roam is a network of global coliving spaces, providing ‘everything you need to feel at home and be productive the moment you arrive,’ and is built on three pillars: comfort, community and productivity.
For $500 a week, tenants gain access to international spaces, all equipped with fully furnished rooms, strong wifi and ‘a chef’s kitchen’. Each Roam space houses a large diverse community and frequently hosts Pecha Kucha nights, lectures and chefs for communal dinners.
AMC Networks The entertainment company wanted a dynamic office design that supported different creative disciplines, so it opted for a three-floor destination workplace complete with the physical, virtual and social infrastructures necessary to support creative collaboration. “In the endeavour to create that all-important, village-esque sense of community, the ground floor has been designed to offer a focal point for the staff to eat lunch, socialise and work. There’s even an on-site cinema that can be used for work or play, to aid social cohesion in and out of hours.”
Considerations • Traditional separations between home and work are eroding and blurring into larger lifestyle choices.
• Flexible working, like shared living, needs to achieve the perfect balance between independence and community.
• The role of staff within such properties is shifting to meet these new needs. Receptionists transition to community managers, concierges or trusted friends to help people move seamlessly throughout their day.
