One of the themes I explore in TrendsWatch 2016 is the way cultural, economic and technological forces rapidly transforming the way we work. Our infrastructure, for the most part, hasn’t caught up. Here’s one workplace that has: Deloitte’s headquarters in Amsterdam, dubbed “The Edge.”
And the building is indeed on the cutting edge–harnessing technology to create a green, flexible workplace. Every light fixture is an internet-connected data hub, making the building the ultimate application of the Internet of Things to customize their work day. The eco-friendly Edge features beehive towers and bat homes, uber-green design and custom security robots. But the most progressive elements, in terms of the work experience, are designed to create a flexible, personalized and comfortable experience. “Hot desking” enables employees to choose a workspace that fits their needs, and also enables the building to accommodate far more people than it could if it provided traditionally assigned desks and offices. The app that interfaces with the building systems enables employees to personalize their lighting, synch their hand held devices with any available screen, even order dinner ingredients before they head home.
Your Futurist Friday assignment, watch this 4 1/2 minute video profiling the Edge
Spend a few minutes thinking about how you would redesign your workplace to be more green, more worker-friendly, and more productive. (And please, share your thoughts in the comment section, below!)
This is very exciting. I see all sorts of opportunities for innovation and learning for them to share with the rest of us. This sort of leadership helps major sectors move forward.
On a smaller scale, the place I dream of creating is much like Green Garage Detroit:
http://bit.ly/1Z9aKJH It's a coworking space where those interested keep an eye on the data about energy and waste to help fine tune the building so that it operates as greenly as possible. The community feeling is awesome, and the careful use of resources in the rehabilitation and refurnishing is marvelous. This building gives back just as Edge does. And it shows that you don't have to be Deloitte to do it.
How cool! The office of the future is here.
Me, I just committed to not using my overhead office lights anymore. The desk lamp light makes the white walls and institutional carpeting feel much warmer and my office becomes a place I'm much happier working in.