The way we work has undergone a radical transformation. The traditional office-centric model is no longer the default, with 61% of workers now preferring hybrid work models. Employees seek greater flexibility, better work-life balance, and seamless workplace experiences. As organisations navigate this shift, smart building technology is increasingly emerging as a key enabler of adaptive, people-centric work environments.
But this shift goes beyond workplace design. It is a strategic opportunity to connect employee experience directly to customer outcomes and overall business performance. Organisations that succeed are not just improving workplaces, they are redesigning how value is created.
The shift to hybrid work: What employees want
The rapid transition to hybrid work proved that productivity is not tied to an office desk. Employees now expect workplaces that support a mix of remote and in-office work. When talking to Planon employees and looking at developments over the last few years, I see three key trends shaping the future of work:
- Flexibility and choice: Employees want the ability to work where and when they are most productive. At Planon, we work in a hybrid model, and our people have the opportunity to experience a workation for two weeks a year from a country of choice.
- Collaboration and connectivity: Offices must be reimagined as hubs for team collaboration and social interaction.
- Well-being and sustainability: Workplace design must prioritise health, wellness, and environmental responsibility. A key component of our sustainable excellence is shown in Planon’s commitment to labour & human rights. Planon prioritises people-first sustainability, ensuring a workplace rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). Our policies uplift employees, fostering wellbeing, growth, and a fairer society – and this approach was recognised with the EcoVadis Platinum medal at the beginning of 2025.
Organisations that fail to adapt risk losing top talent to competitors who embrace these new expectations. The solution? A workplace designed with technology, flexibility, and employee experience at its core.
At the same time, employee expectations are reshaping more than HR strategies. A better employee experience leads to better collaboration, faster decision making, and improved service delivery. In turn, this strengthens customer experience and business results, making the workplace a direct contributor to organisational success.
How smart buildings enable hybrid-ready workplaces
Smart building solutions, such as those offered by Planon and Schneider Electric, provide the data-driven insights and automation needed to create adaptive workplaces. Technology is not the end goal. It is the enabler of a seamless, human-centric work experience that removes friction and supports people in their daily work. Here’s how they enhance the employee experience and optimise space usage:
1. Intelligent space management
With fluctuating office occupancy, businesses must balance real-estate costs with ensuring workspace availability. Smart workplace management platforms provide:
- Real-time occupancy tracking to adjust space utilisation dynamically.
- Hot-desking and room booking systems that allow employees to reserve workspaces based on need.
- Usage analytics to inform long-term office layout decisions, ensuring efficient space planning.
2. Enhancing employee experience with smart technology
The best workplaces are those that prioritise employee wellbeing and productivity. Smart building systems offer:
- Automated climate control and air quality monitoring for healthier indoor environments.
- Personalised workspace settings, enabling employees to adjust lighting and temperature via mobile apps.
- Seamless access control and wayfinding to reduce friction in the office experience.
3. Sustainability and energy efficiency
Hybrid work means fluctuating occupancy patterns, making energy efficiency more critical than ever. Smart solutions help by:
- Reducing energy waste with occupancy-based lighting and HVAC adjustments.
- Providing real-time sustainability tracking to align with corporate ESG goals.
- Integrating renewable energy sources to lower carbon footprints while keeping workplaces comfortable.
By connecting workplace data with broader business systems and partner ecosystems, organisations can also improve transparency, reporting, and collaboration across their value chain. This turns the workplace into more than an operational environment. It becomes a connected platform for sustainable growth.
A workplace built for the future
The shift to hybrid work is here to stay. It is no longer a temporary adjustment but the operating model of modern organisations. They must rethink the role of the office, prioritising flexibility, technology, and sustainability. Planon and Schneider Electric’s solutions empower businesses to create workplaces that are dynamic, data-driven, and designed for the future.
To fully realise this transformation, organisations must also invest in people. Digital literacy, data-driven decision making, and the ability to collaborate across distributed teams are becoming essential capabilities. Smart buildings require not only smart technology, but also adaptable people who can use these insights effectively.
Ultimately, the workplace is evolving from a cost centre into a strategic driver of innovation, sustainability, and business performance. It connects employees, customers, partners, and the wider ecosystem in one continuous flow of value creation.
Are you ready to transform your workplace?
By leveraging smart building technologies, organisations can deliver an office experience that supports both business objectives and employee wellbeing. The future of work is not just about where we work. It’s about how we create spaces that empower, connect, and inspire.
Let’s build workplaces that work for everyone.