Re-imagining office lobby

In a more and more crowded office market, with new hubs developing at fast pace, real estate investors are coming with new concepts, re-thinking the use of different functions, such as the office lobby.

According to “Innovation Spaces: The New Design of Work” study, the ground-floor of the office buildings is transforming “into community magnets that creatively draw like and unlike people together”. The study argues that the coffee shop on the ground floor is the easiest approach. “In other cases, the infusion of free, fast and pervasive wireless technology combined with more lounge-like spaces has transformed ground floors into working hubs”.

WHAT CHANGES DO WE SEE ON THE LOCAL MARKET?

Globalworth has recently organized the first augmented art gallery, with video mapping animations in the lobby of its landmark building in Barbu Vacarescu, Globalworth Tower. The Human Extension by Victor Fota is part of the Art & Tech District, a cultural initiative founded by Globalworth in partnership with One Night Gallery that aims to promote the young generation of Romanian artists through emerging technologies and involve the community in the process. The company constantly uses the lobby and public spaces of its buildings to organize creative events such as art shows, street food caravans and other activations on different occasions.

SKANSKA IS ENVISIONING A LOBBY LIKE A SWEDISH SUMMER HOUSE

With the goal to redefine a vital part of every office building, by changing the lobby’s function from a transit area to a welcoming space, Skanska has collaborated with Danish architectural studio, Henning Larsen, to create a space with the feel of a Swedish summer house. The new lobby concept supports health and well-being in the workplace. The inspiration is Sommarstuga – the traditional Swedish summer house.

The new Skanska lobby concept can be easily rearranged to match the specifics of each and every futureproof office building in the company’s portfolio. In the same time, there are components that are common to every Sommarstuga inspired lobby. The design is based on several key elements: warm and comfortable light, natural materials, diverse spaces to meet and rest, and openness to the local communities.

IMMOFINANZ HAS IMPLEMENTED MYHIVE CONCEPT ON BUCHAREST MARKET

Austrian real estate investor has introduced its international office brand myhive in five of its office properties from Bucharest. The office brand stands for the friendly and lively atmosphere experienced in a hotel, combined with optimal infrastructure and services. The buildings are characterized by an inviting and lively atmosphere, attentive and helpful staff, easy accessibility and numerous services: shops and services for everyday needs, flexible and serviced offices, fast W-LAN in the common areas and a sport offering.

With acknowledged developers implementing their international concepts on the local market and new co-working brands such as Spaces or Mindspace to launch in the following period, it is a clear sign for institutional foreign investors that Bucharest is a strong market and offers high-returns.

Source: Bucharest Real Estate Club