Hybrid work, technology, spaces with light and vegetation / How Albanian offices are being transformed

2024-04-14 15:55:00, Aktualitet CNA

Hybrid work, technology, spaces with light and vegetation / How Albanian offices

Future office trends are charting a new path towards agile working, innovation and adaptability.

The capacity to accelerate change and support a completely new kind of work and workforce is becoming a key factor for the success of businesses, not only in Albania, but everywhere.

In Albania, a radical change is taking place in the way employees are thinking about work itself. The question that businesses in the country are starting to ask is how can offices adapt to this new and complex situation?

The pandemic allowed a large number of people to start working from home – and many are not enthusiastic about returning to the office entirely.

Already, with the introduction of hybrid work, as well as with the directed focus of human resources of Albanian companies, work environments are changing.

Hybrid work, technology, spaces with light and vegetation / How Albanian offices

Klaudia Llupo, architect, says that businesses in the country are giving importance to flexibility and adaptability in the workplace and the concept of performing several functions at once, combining work in the office with that from home.

"The management's way of thinking about the space where we work or develop our work has already changed, the pandemic has had a great impact, making people want more and more to work from home.

The office is now seen as a social environment, discussion, meeting, etc. This has changed the way offices are perceived and the needs they have.

The hybrid way of working has caused the employee space to change based on the people present in the office.

Work itself has become pervasive and distributed, and we need new ways to navigate the relationship between the private workplace and the public sphere.

"An element that is used for an employee can also be used for someone who works from home, so now offices are becoming multi-functional, multitasking at the same time" - says Llupo.

Hybrid work, technology, spaces with light and vegetation / How Albanian offices

How performance is assessed for employees in hybrid work

Even Roden Pajaj, Regional Director of Human Resources for Deloitte, agrees that the pandemic has fundamentally changed the work landscape, driving a new trend towards hybrid work.

He says that this period has proven that flexibility is in demand, especially from the younger generation, Generation Z, who want to have the opportunity to work freely, outside the boundaries of established traditions.

Hybrid work, which combines office work with work from home, has served as a great opportunity to break down barriers and pave the way for a borderless job market. However, as Pajaj says, this requires a new approach to leadership and management skills, including a review of the office's goals and environment.

One of the biggest challenges emerging from this reality is improving the performance appraisal system for employees in hybrid work. Traditionally, performance has been evaluated based on certain metrics and visibility, but with the shift to remote work, this method becomes difficult to implement.

Pajaj says it's time for a new approach, one that values ??the end product and the contribution the employee brings to the company.

On the other hand, another challenge is building personal connections of employees with the company in a virtual environment. With remote work, it is important to ensure that employees have a sense of belonging and feel connected to the team and company goals.

However, beyond the challenges, there are also opportunities for growth and development in this context. Managing hybrid teams and inclusive leadership skills are some of the points we need to focus on to ensure a successful work environment in this new era.

In the end, the representative of "Deloitte" in Albania emphasizes that there are many young Albanians who already work remotely with foreign companies, especially American companies, showing that hybrid work is becoming a reality in the Albanian labor market as well.

"This is just the beginning of a new journey in the way we work and how companies adapt to this new reality - he says.

TRENDS

"The trend has also started in Albania, creating more rooms with couches, armchairs, where work can be moved. But also other amenities, such as play areas, where the employees themselves can spend more time, to relax, to discuss, no longer the typical element where employees stand only in front of the wall, or face to face with each other -the other in a cold office"

Integrating technology into office design

Klaudia says that the integration of technology into office design has become more and more widespread, as organizations recognize its potential to increase productivity, collaboration and the overall employee experience.

"A new and more than necessary technology with the change in the way of working are call boxes, or even virtual conference rooms. Phone boxes are small spaces just for calls or Zoom meetings, without disturbing other employees around you.

This gives employees adequate privacy for phone calls, but also does not create noise in the work environment. This can be in small rooms, but also in other larger rooms built with acoustic panels".

The smart desk (in English Smart Desk) is another element in new offices, says Llupo.

"The smart desk uses technology to improve productivity, comfort and well-being. These desks use various sensors, connectivity features and automation capabilities to create a smarter and easier work environment for users.

It can change height and employees have the flexibility of moving or standing, it charges the phone directly without the use of cables, there is an integrated sensor everywhere, etc. In my experience, these are mostly set for managers", she says.

Of all the office design trends there is one in particular that seems a little out of place for the changes taking place. Offices adapted not only for work, but also for entertainment, socializing, have spread widely in the world, but it has also entered as a trend in Albania.

This style is very attractive to large corporations, especially those in the technology sector.

"The trend has also started in Albania, creating more rooms with couches, armchairs, where work can be moved. But also other amenities, such as play areas, where the employees themselves can spend more time, to relax, to discuss, no longer the typical element where employees stand only in front of the wall, or face to face with each other -the other in a cold office.

Offices are being oriented to warm environments where the exchange of ideas, conversation, is necessary and allowed. This is certainly related to how much space the office has and the capacity, as well as how many people work there."

Klaudia says that work environments are adapting to open spaces, with as much natural light and greenery as possible.

"People are trying to get as close to nature as possible. Offices are no longer a small brick-and-mortar cube with small windows, a cold, colorless, lightless environment.

Architects are using materials as close to natural as possible, such as wood. If previously white spaces were used without creativity, without colors, with that cold blue, now the office environment itself has changed, they are going to feel closer to home or to be more comfortable.

The materials have changed, the use of concrete, brick, stone, glass to make it as close to nature as possible.

But what is most important, the use of greenery to give peace when you are working", says the architect.

Hybrid work, technology, spaces with light and vegetation / How Albanian offices

Marigona Xhaferri, architect, emphasizes that a comfortable office should be characterized by a variety of elements that contribute to the well-being of employees.

Natural light is one of the main elements to create a pleasant environment in the office.

"A comfortable office for employees should be an environment with a lot of light and free space", says Xhaferri.

Sufficient light makes the environment more productive for employees, contributing to their productivity.

In addition to natural light, natural elements should be included.

"It is important to have natural elements inside the office to help employees feel better in the work environment," says Marigona.

This can include greenery, plants, or the use of materials such as glass, plastic or wood to bring employees closer to nature and create a more peaceful and inviting atmosphere.

Another element is art and creative accessories.