Dr. Oliver Steinki is the founder of the investment firm evolutiq and co-founder of the Cologne-based backpack and school bag company Fond of. He had the new company headquarters "The Ship" in Cologne fully realized according to the requirements of his employees. The property in the Ehrenfeld district is currently one of Germany's most digital office buildings. Because this approach has been so successful for his own company, he is currently planning to build another forward-looking office property right next door. The "Vorum" is being created according to the Human Centric concept.

Has the Corona crisis made offices somewhat redundant?

That people work eight hours a day at their kitchen table remains the exception. I am convinced: Inspiring encounters and active networking are part of our personal and professional development. With The Ship, the adjacent property Alte Wagenfabrik, and in the future the Vorum, we aim to create an entrepreneurial campus where we can leverage synergies and drive innovations together. No video call can replace real encounters. Future-oriented offices must be designed to provide a safe environment and cater as much as possible to the individual needs of people. Employers are more challenged than ever; they can only retain employees if they create work environments that focus on well-being, productivity, and potential development.

How have the requirements for office properties changed with the pandemic, and how are you responding to that?

The new requirements primarily include health safety in the workplace. Measures such as modern air filtration systems will become standard. Building apps will provide real-time information about the occupancy of certain areas through heat maps. Depending on this, employees can consider whether or when to visit the restaurant or the gym. Doors can be opened via keyless access. Such digital features are becoming increasingly important.

And how is the work culture changing?

There has been a significant shift here. The office will no longer just be a physical place where one works but rather a place that symbolizes the culture, values, and vision of a company – for both employees and guests. It will now be more important for us to offer meaningful experiences that engage and empower people. If hybrid work models are adopted by more and more companies in the future, then the office will also become a place where people come together more consciously, for example, to develop new ideas. Constructive exchanges will take on much greater importance, even if it's just a spontaneous encounter at the coffee machine. Offices must enable such casual moments and be designed so openly that employees can move and unfold freely. Rigid spaces are likely a construct of the past. At The Ship and also at the Vorum, one can flexibly design the workspaces and create areas that are geared towards various activities; for example, those particularly suitable for video conferences, which have a lounge character, or where one can work in deep concentration.

You describe the concept of the planned Vorum as "Human Centric". What does that entail?

Human Centric because we put the well-being of the people who will work here at the center and plan from their perspective. This relates to all decisions associated with the construction. For me, productivity and a pleasant atmosphere go hand in hand. We can concentrate much better when we work in an inspiring environment and have the chance to recharge in between. At the Vorum, we focus on spacious areas, clean air, pleasant lighting and temperature, good sound impact, and plenty of greenery. Additionally, there is an attractive infrastructure: an in-house gym, an organic grocery store, an ice cream café, event locations, car-sharing spots, e-charging stations, and much more. Digitization of the building to the latest standards is included – on one hand for operation optimized for sustainability and on the other for smart features for tenants: an app as a key and remote control for indoor navigation, building management, room booking, and much more. We want people to enjoy coming to the office.

https://www.immobilienmanager.de/interview-bueroimmobilien-werden-human-centric-02072021#