Baumeister nach8 at AllesWirdGut

As part of Baumeister nach8, we discussed with AllesWirdGut Architekten and Steelcase in Vienna how workplaces promote creativity. On November 14, Herwig Spiegl from AllesWirdGut and Joachim Müller Wedekind from Steelcase were on the podium – Alexander Gutzmer moderated the event.

The second district in Vienna: the first architects and architecture enthusiasts arrive to discuss creative workspaces with us – the Baumeister – and Steelcase. The backdrop is the canteen of the architecture firm AllesWirdGut with the charming name “AllesIsstGut”. It exemplifies the three main themes of the evening: identification with the workplace, flexibility and mobility in and out of the workplace.

The results of a Steelcase study are astonishing: Only one in three employees identifies with their company. Bad news from an entrepreneur’s point of view. There is currently a shortage of skilled workers anyway. As a result, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to retain their employees. But the good news is that well-designed workspaces can help employees to identify with the company. In his practice, Spiegl has noticed that well-designed also means that not everything is planned through. Workspaces must therefore offer space for employees’ personalities. This can be, for example, the indoor plant in the corner, which is rather unpopular with architects. However, the strict legal situation makes creative implementation more difficult. This is because the list of workplace conditions stipulated by workplace legislation is long. According to Herwig Spiegl, the art of planning lies in making use of the spaces in between. This is where creativity can be encouraged and knowledge generated.

More Chameleon

The AllesIsstGut canteen illustrates what tomorrow’s workspaces will look like: “The workspace is no longer limited to the table,” says Herwig Spiegl. And that’s also how he handles it in his own office. While the classic office space is located on the upper floor, the canteen on the first floor offers a flexible space. It’s not just a place to eat and chat, but also a place where employees can discuss projects over a coffee. The canteen is therefore a flexible space that adapts to the requirements of the users.

On the move

During the discussion, Spiegl touches on one of the office’s projects, which introduces the third main topic. A mobile home combines everything you need to live and work in just a few square meters – which are also mobile. And what does the future hold? According to Müller Wedekind from Steelcase, the situation will change. It will no longer be the employee who has to be mobile, but the employer. Amazon is already demonstrating how this works. The company is going wherever there are enough skilled workers.