Modern office concepts: 5 innovative examples to inspire you

The world of work is changing, and with it our offices. Rigid structures and monotonous open-plan offices are increasingly giving way to creative, flexible room concepts (or flex offices!) that meet the diverse needs of modern companies. But what exactly makes an office fit for the future? In this article, I'll introduce you to five inspiring examples that show what modern office concepts can look like and the advantages they offer.

Activity-based working – the office as a place of opportunity

Do you know the feeling? Sometimes you need absolute peace and quiet to concentrate, then again you need to exchange ideas with your team or have a place for confidential conversations. Activity-based working (ABW) is a concept that addresses precisely this. Instead of fixed workstations, an ABW office offers different zones for different activities.

Imagine you come into the office in the morning and check your e-mails in a cozy lounge. Then you look for a place in one of the open collaboration areas for the team meeting. And if you're working on a tricky presentation later on, you can retreat to a quiet focus room. In between, you can treat yourself to a coffee at the bar and run into colleagues from another department by chance.

Sounds exciting, doesn't it? ABW gives you the freedom to flexibly design your work environment according to your needs. This is supported by appropriate technologies such as desk sharing software or apps that allow you to easily book a place. Companies like Microsoft, Google or Deloitte already swear by ABW and report higher productivity, satisfaction and better knowledge sharing.

The office as a living room - feel-good atmosphere included

Be honest: do you really look forward to coming to a sterile, run-of-the-mill office in the morning? Exactly. That's why another trend is offices that create a homely, cozy atmosphere. Instead of gray dreariness, these modern office concepts rely on inviting furnishings with comfortable sofas, carpets, plants and warm colors. Kitchens or café areas with great coffee machines and tasty snacks invite you to relax and chat.

Of course, you go to the office to work. But a little feel-good atmosphere can also help you to be more creative and productive. After all, you spend a large part of your day here. So why not create an environment in which you enjoy spending time? Airbnb, Opel and Momox are leading the way with their inspiring “living room offices”.

Nature in the office – green oases for more well-being

Let's be honest: when you think of potted plants in the office, do you think of dusty weeping figs in the corner? Then it's time for an update! Plants are true all-rounders – they improve the air, reduce stress and have even been shown to increase productivity.

That's why more and more companies are discovering their green side and integrating generous plant areas into their offices. This could be a green atrium, a roof garden or even entire plant walls. What's particularly exciting is when natural elements are combined with smart technology.

A cool example is the “Biophilic Office” by Glumac in Shanghai. Here, not only do over 400 plants create a green oasis of well-being, but intelligent systems also provide perfect light, pleasant temperatures and excellent air quality. Imagine working in such a healthy, inspiring environment – it makes the slog twice as much fun!

Multispace office concepts– variety for every taste

Do you know the feeling? A quick lap on the treadmill at the office, then solving a tricky task in the focus room, and later letting creativity flow with the team in the lounge? In modern multispace offices, exactly that is possible! These modern office concepts combine classic work with areas such as sports rooms, learning corners, gaming areas or even sleeping booths for a quick nap in between.

Sounds crazy? It is! But the idea behind it is that a diverse environment promotes your well-being and your motivation. Such offices are particularly exciting for the younger generation, who are looking for a good work-life balance.

What this might look like is demonstrated, for example, by Trivago's “Spielfeld” in Düsseldorf – in addition to state-of-the-art workplaces, it also offers fitness equipment, a massage room and a roof terrace with a basketball hoop. Not only can you be productive here, but you can also really switch off and recharge your batteries.

Sustainable offices – green in every way

It's THE hot topic: sustainability. It's clear that this megatrend is also shaping our offices. More and more companies want to lead by example and are focusing on ecological construction, economical technology and environmentally friendly materials.

Maybe you'll soon be working in an office with a solar energy system on the roof, smart energy management and stylish furniture made from recycled materials? Greening also plays an important role – we remember the great effects of plants in the office. And if you come to work by bike or electric car, you'll certainly appreciate secure parking spaces and charging stations.

But remember: sustainability has many facets! It's also about you feeling comfortable and staying healthy in the long term. Ergonomic chairs, good lighting, pleasant acoustics – all these things contribute to your well-being. So do a tasty, balanced canteen and cool fitness options for in-between times.

A well-thought-out example is the Unilever headquarters in Hamburg: the highest green standards meet flexible workplaces, relaxation zones and lots of greenery – for you as an employee and for the environment!

Conclusion: the future of work is colorful and exciting

What do you think of the examples presented? I think they impressively show how diverse and exciting the office world of tomorrow can be. There is no single perfect solution – it is much more important that your company finds a concept that fits the culture and needs of its employees.

But whether it's ABW, a feel-good atmosphere or an outdoor office, what they all have in common is the desire to create a working environment in which you feel completely comfortable and can be creative and productive at the same time. With flexible structures, cool technologies and a sense of your needs, offices are becoming places where you enjoy spending time.

And who knows – maybe you'll soon be setting up your laptop in a hammock or grabbing a coffee for creative meetings at the outdoor bar? I'm sure it will be exciting and just right for you and your team. So be open and brave to try out new concepts and work together to create the perfect office for you. It's worth it!