Page 137 - AIT1025_E-Paper

steps towards New Work have a noticeable impact on collaboration, productivity and space utilization.
Space efficiency is also highlighted: companies with modern workplace concepts require on average
54 percent less space per employee, with large companies requiring up to 38 percent less than their
smaller competitors. Nevertheless, only 36 percent have saved office space through new concepts. If
demand were consistently adjusted, 126 million square metres – around 18,000 football pitches – could
be freed up in Germany. Another key point is the role of community and culture. Where there is a sense
of belonging, companies benefit twice over: employees identify more strongly with the company, contri-
bute more innovative ideas and make better use of space. In addition, the report provides insights into
office presence: on average, it is 50 percent, with peak values on Tuesdays and low values on Fridays
(29 percent). Last but not least, it shows that change has become a permanent state of affairs. Successful
companies actively shape it, involve employees and use interior design as a strategic tool that makes
culture visible and supports transformation. The strength of the Office Report lies in translating figures
into practical guidelines for space planning and interior design. Benchmarks such as space indicators,
desk sharing ratios or the New Work Score are not interpreted theoretically, but directly incorporated into
the planning of working environments. The analysis shows where employees spend most of their time,
which areas are used intensively and where quiet spaces are needed. On this basis, differentiated wor-
king environments are created that enable both open communication and concentrated work. Modern
concepts such as activity-based working or modular space offerings optimize space utilization without
compromising employee identification. However, practice shows that efficiency does not necessarily
mean savings. Spaces must reflect the needs of employees and convey the corporate culture. The imple-
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mentation of these findings is particularly evident in pro m ’s projects. They range from companies with
traditional structures that are actively shaping change to growing digital organizations that are adapting
their offices to optimally combine productivity, space efficiency and culture.
Fotos Jan Kaiser
RWZ Rhein-Main and Heleba Offenbach: strengthening collaboration

The transformation at Raiffeisen Waren-Zentrale Rhein-Main AG (RWZ) is an example of how the DP World: CI in der Innenarchitektur umgesetzt. • DP World: CI implemented in interior design
report’s findings have been implemented. The starting point was a highly hierarchical office organi-
zation with individual rooms assigned to the respective hierarchical levels of the employees. These
compartmentalized structures led to low office utilization and limited informal exchange. Accompa-
nying change management supported employees in the transition to desk sharing and flexible spaces. Unternehmenskultur spiegelt sich in den Räumen ... • Corporate culture is reflected in rooms ...
The result is a working environment that is not only functional, but also reflects the corporate culture
and strengthens team interaction. Helaba Offenbach used the redesign of its office space to visibly
strengthen collaboration and corporate culture. A central marketplace promotes cross-departmental
communication, while acoustically optimized quiet rooms enable concentrated work. Modern media
technology supports hybrid working methods, and accompanying change management ensures that
optimization potential is identified and implemented. At Knauf Digital in Munich, a rapidly growing
company faced the challenge of designing office spaces efficiently while strengthening the corporate
culture. A home office rate, desk sharing, and modular workstations allowed for flexible space uti-
lization. Different types of workspaces, from individual workstations to team islands to open zones,
were arranged according to the usage patterns of the employees. In Dortmund, Evidia shows how the
consistent implementation of the New Work approach is shaping modern working environments.
Together with pro m , open spaces, lounges, work cafés, project rooms, think tanks and an arena
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were developed to create a varied working landscape while increasing the quality of the space and
space efficiency. Flexible room structures enable rapid adaptation to organizational changes, while
quiet areas and acoustically optimised zones support concentrated work. DP World made targeted
use of the transformation of outdated office properties to strengthen corporate culture, communica- ... ebenso wie Kommunikation und Wohlbefinden. • … as well as communication and well-being.
tion, space efficiency and sustainability. The consolidation of locations offered the opportunity to
improve synergies between teams, accelerate cultural change, realize savings potential and reduce
the ecological footprint. Colours, materials, furnishings and the well-thought-out room layout make
the company’s values visible and allow employees to identify with their company. At the same time,
the flexible use of space allows for adjustments to future organizational developments. In this way,
interior design becomes a strategic expression of the company’s identity and supports both efficiency
and cultural development.

Outlook: Interior design becomes a strategic tool

The projects show how the findings of the Office Report 2025 are being put into practice. The
decisive factor is not the perfection of a model, but the departure from outdated structures. Interior
design becomes a strategic tool that combines organizational development, change management
and culture. Community, hybrid working models and modular space concepts are gaining in impor-
tance. Those who implement these principles early on increase their attractiveness and competi-
tiveness. The Office Report provides the empirical basis and creates continuous feedback between
data, interior design and cultural development.
AIT 10.2025 • 137