WHAT'S UP Blog

The nature of everyday work has undergone a profound shift. The traditional 9-to-5 office routine is steadily losing relevance. Instead, many employees now choose to come to the office—not out of obligation, but by intention. What draws them in? Meaningful interaction with colleagues, technical support unavailable at home, or access to benefits and resources that third places—like the café around the corner—simply cannot provide.

In today’s working world, the boundaries between work and leisure are becoming increasingly blurred – places that were once strictly functional are evolving into hybrid, human-centred environments. A prime example of this development is the CLUB: an office café archetype that combines privacy, style, and versatility within one space.

The office of the future is not just a place to work - it is a place of encounter, inspiration and flexibility. At the centre of this change is a space that blurs the boundaries between working, networking and relaxing: the Smart Café. Located between the lounge area and the workplace, it impresses with its well thought-out zoning options, versatile furniture concepts and smart functions.

The new touch display for the se:cube and se:cube max room-in-room solutions is an extension that makes operating the lighting and ventilation much easier and more intuitive. The colour temperature lighting, adapted to the daylight curve, also contributes to greater well-being and productivity in the office.

The modern workplace is changing - away from rigid structures and towards more flexibility, individuality and well-being. At the centre of this development is a concept that is increasingly blurring the boundaries between work and private life: Work-life blending. It's not just about combining work and leisure, but also about creating places where employees feel comfortable, inspired and stay healthy - beyond the traditional desk.

Since the Covid-19 lockdown, the option of working from home has become an integral part of everyday working life for many people. Co-working spaces and third spaces are also playing an increasingly important role in the choice of work location. However, this does not mean that the traditional office is no longer needed.

Work is undergoing a fundamental shift: rigid structures are giving way to flexible models that uncouple work from fixed locations and hours. Amid this transformation, the need for genuine human interaction is growing. Despite the efficiency and convenience of digital communication, the social fabric often begins to fray. This is precisely where the new coffee culture plays a vital role.

A thoughtfully designed café area becomes a stage for spontaneous conversations, serendipitous encounters, and cross-departmental collaboration. It offers an informal atmosphere where hierarchies blur and new ideas emerge organically. This unique blend of relaxation and openness turns the office café into a true engine of innovation.

The world of work has changed rapidly, and with it the requirements for modern office spaces. Hybrid workspaces and (work) cafés in particular are playing an increasingly important role. They not only offer functional working environments, but also promote creativity and social interaction. While some of these spaces focus on open collaboration, others offer quiet retreats that support concentration and productive work. A prominent archetype in this category is the “library”.

As one of the most famous coffee brands in the world, Lavazza looks back on an eventful history, growing from a corner shop to a coffee empire. The family business is now in its fourth generation, and with the Nuvola Lavazza headquarters in Turin, a place has been created that represents both the legacy and the future of the world-famous coffee brand. Antonio Curlante, Property and Facility Director of the Lavazza Group, takes us behind the scenes of Nuvola Lavazza.

The modern working world has changed dramatically, and with it the expectations of office space. A comprehensive analysis of hybrid third places and (work) cafés worldwide has shown that spaces that move between traditional offices and public facilities are playing an increasingly important role. They improve the quality of life and work and promote different working styles. While some of these place focus on open collaboration and energised interaction, others offer quiet retreats for concentrated work or create a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Hubs in particular stand for a new, community-orientated way of working.

The way we work is constantly evolving. Flexible work models and innovative spatial concepts are becoming increasingly important to enhance both productivity and well-being. In this context, so-called "third places" play a crucial role – spaces that are neither traditional offices nor private living areas but a combination of both.

A prime example of this concept in action is the office café designed in a garden style. Here, nature and work merge into an inspiring environment that optimally supports concentration, creativity, and social interaction.

The world of work is undergoing a transformation: wellbeing, hospitality, and community are becoming central to modern workplace design. These elements are no longer optional extras but essential pillars for creating satisfied, motivated, and high-performing employees. How can companies address these needs through their office and space concepts? With inspiring insights and practical examples, this article explores innovative solutions for the future of work. Discover how hybrid spaces can enhance wellbeing, foster a sense of community, and create a welcoming atmosphere.

Libraries preserve the world’s knowledge. The first libraries were established more than 5000 years ago. Since then, they have evolved from places of peace and solitude to genuine community
spaces where people come together to learn, exchange ideas and work. They have become an integral part of “Great Good Places” – somewhere strangers can become friends. The Norwegian transdisciplinary architecture and design studio Snøhetta recently planned and realised the world’s largest library in Beijing. We spoke to Kjetil Trædal Thorsen about the evolution of libraries.

This blog post sheds light on how libraries are constantly reinventing themselves as ‘cathedrals of the mind’ and what role they play in today's flexible working and living environment.

In the modern working world, we are often faced with the question: How can we work together effectively? Whether via screens or face-to-face contact - the type of interaction shapes our team dynamics and ultimately the team's success. A closer look at the neuroscientific background and the advantages and disadvantages of the various forms of collaboration reveals that work is not just a means to an end: Work is not just a means to an end - it is lived interaction and shared experience.

“We are not thinking machines that feel, but feeling machines that think.” This quote from António R. Damásio aptly captures the complexity of human working life and reminds us that our emotions and wellbeing have a significant impact on our work. The way we work is changing with the increasing popularity of hybrid working models, and the design of our workspaces must also adapt to these changes.

The design of modern working environments requires more than just desks and meeting rooms. The trend towards hybrid forms of work has revolutionised the office, and hybrid communal spaces such as office cafés play a central role. But not every office café is the same - four different archetypes offer different focuses and uses. The challenge for employers is to find out which of these archetypes, or which combination of them, best suits the needs of their own company.

In modern work environments, office cafés have evolved into hybrid spaces that go beyond traditional break areas, where they support a variety of work and relaxation modes. While break rooms are traditionally designed for short periods of relaxation and offer functional facilities such as coffee machines and tables, office cafés create an atmosphere that specifically aims to promote productivity, creativity and social interaction.

At their core, office cafés offer an enhanced experience where both work and relaxation can co-exist harmoniously. They offer far more flexibility and different environments tailored to a variety of working styles and needs.

Working from home has become the norm now there are more opportunities for hybrid working or being in the home office. Especially in the colder months, when the days get shorter, many people make the decision not to commute to the office. Working from the home offers advantages such as improved work-life balance and avoiding costly and crowded public transport. However, those who used to work in different locations such as co-working spaces and cafés face new challenges when working from home. To promote health and productivity, ergonomic measures and good organisation in the home workplace are essential.

Third places such as cafés, pubs and bookshops have always been meeting places for social interaction and team building. They provide space for conversation, creative exchange and relaxation away from the workplace. In recent years, these informal social spaces have evolved significantly as a result of changes in the world of work, driven by the pandemic and the introduction of hybrid working models. The lines between public and private life, between work and leisure, are increasingly blurred, and many workers now expect their office environments to reflect the flexibility and community spirit of these third places.

The close connection between coffee and work has deep cultural roots that go back to the 18th century, when coffee houses became important places for intellectual exchange and business activities. This relationship continued to develop with the emergence of modern office culture, making the coffee break an integral part of the working day. Particularly in the early twentieth century, with the introduction of the eight-hour workday, coffee gained significantly in importance as an energy source and social ritual.