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D ata -D riven W orkspaces
By Caroline Shelly, HF Planners Workplace wellness in an ever-changing work environmen
By Caroline Shelly, HF Planners LLC Designing the In-Between: How AI & Data Are Transforming Collaboration Hubs
provide granular data on how every zone is used, right down to which pantry nook is most popular after 2 p.m. Facilities managers can see heatmaps of traffic flow, identify underuti - lized corners, and make evi- dence-based decisions about where to invest in upgrades or reconfigurations. PREDICTIVE SPACE PLANNING Advanced AI models forecast how seasonal changes, hybrid schedules, or company growth will affect demand for different types of spaces. For example, if your office sees a spike in in- every zone is used, right down popular after 2 p.m. Facilities traffic flow, identify underuti - s we look back on 2021, it is clear that the pandemic, which started in 2020, is still making a huge im - pact on the well-being of employees within the workplace. Astute busi - ness owners and facility man - agers are realizing that they must modify the workplace to ensure a safe and healthy en - vironment. Not only should the A Caroline Shelly
person collaboration on Tues- days and Thursdays, predictive tools can recommend flexing more lobby or outdoor space on those days. EMPLOYEE SENTIMENT ANALYSIS Natural language processing (NLP) tools sift through feed - back from pulse surveys, Slack channels, and help desk tickets to highlight what employees want; be it more quiet pods, better lighting in stairwells, or additional outdoor power out- lets. This real-time feedback ensures that upgrades align with evolving needs. person collaboration on Tues- days and Thursdays, predictive tools can recommend flexing more lobby or outdoor space on those days. Natural language processing (NLP) tools sift through feed- back from pulse surveys, Slack channels, and help desk tickets want; be it more quiet pods, better lighting in stairwells, or additional outdoor power out- physical space be addressed, but also the mental health of employees needs to be taken into consideration. The im - pact of virtual meetings, lack of in-person connection, and increased use of technology have accelerated the burnout amongst employees. While assisting corporations on creat - ing a Workplace Strategy, HF Planners, LLC has uncovered the following needs within corporations that should be dealt with in order to have a successful workplace wellness program; 1. Create a corporate
essential in buildings with seasonal weather swings. Tech Readiness: Ubiqui - tous charging, wireless pre- sentation screens, and robust Wi-Fi are a necessity, even in stairwells and outdoor patios. Acoustic Comfort: Sound masking and zoning are critical in open lobbies and corridors to prevent noise spillovers. Tech Readiness: Ubiqui- tous charging, wireless pre- sentation screens, and robust Wi-Fi are a necessity, even in stairwells and outdoor patios. Acoustic Comfort: Sound masking and zoning are critical in open lobbies and corridors to prevent noise spillovers. A hybrid workplace acknowl - edges that remote working can be successful, but also realizes that face-to-face communica - tion is essential to the success of the business. A Forbes, Inc. article from April 2020, asked: “Is ‘Management by Walking Around’ Still Possible When Everything Is Digital and Brand & Culture Align- ment: Art, color, and design elements that reflect your company’s identity make these hubs inviting and on-brand. Inclusivity: Spaces should continued on page 6 Brand & Culture Align- ment: Art, color, and design elements that reflect your company’s identity make these hubs inviting and on-brand. Inclusivity: Spaces should continued on page 6 essential in buildings with seasonal weather swings. voice their concerns. Regular communications, via emails, town halls, and accessibility to the communications, via a general server, are crucial. 2. Identify individual de- partmental needs for Hy- brid Working Policies.
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WELLNESS & SUSTAINABILITY INTEGRATION WELLNESS & SUSTAINABILITY INTEGRATION AI isn’t just about efficien - cy; it’s also helping facilities managers monitor air qual- ity, optimize daylight, and integrate biophilic design like living walls or indoor gardens in in-between spaces to boost employee wellness and meet sustainability targets. What Makes a Collabora- tion Hub Succeed? Adaptability: Modular fur- niture and movable partitions allow spaces to flex for differ - ent group sizes and activities— The key to success is having buy-in from the executive level down. New workplace strate - gies must be communicated and reinforced to all employ - ees to ensure their safety and health is top priority. Devel - opment and deployment of a company-wide survey will help gather pertinent information as well as let employees know that they have the ability to AI isn’t just about efficien - cy; it’s also helping facilities managers monitor air qual - ity, optimize daylight, and integrate biophilic design like living walls or indoor gardens in in-between spaces to boost employee wellness and meet sustainability targets. What Makes a Collabora- tion Hub Succeed? Adaptability: Modular fur- niture and movable partitions allow spaces to flex for differ - ent group sizes and activities— wellness program that ad- dresses employee engage- ment, use of technology, in-person protocols, clean- ing practices, and a flexible working environment.
When plan- ning space re- quirements, we know that maximizing every square foot is essen- tial, especial- ly as hybrid work, RTO W When plan- ning space re- quirements, we know that every square foot is essen- tial, especial- ly as hybrid
hy You Need to Rethink “In-Be- tween” Spaces
Caroline Shelly Caroline Shelly
and employee expectations reshape office life. The question isn’t just “How do I fit more desks?” but rather: How do I create dynamic, data-driven collaboration hubs that truly support today’s workforce? What Counts as an “In- Between” Space in 2025? In today’s agile office, in- between spaces are so much more than hallways or leftover corners. They are the connec- tive tissue of the workplace; zones where innovation, ca- sual connection, and real pro- ductivity happen. And the definition is expanding: Pantry Spaces: Modern office pantries are morphing into social kitchens, complete with touchless coffee sta- tions, healthy snack bars, and flexible seating that encourages both quick chats and necessary breaks. Lobbies: No longer just for waiting, lobbies now double as informal meeting lounges, with integrated digital direc- tories, visitor management kiosks, and comfortable, tech- enabled seating. Stairwells: Forward-think- ing companies are activating stairwells with art installa- tions, daylighting, and even “pause points” with benches or whiteboards—turning transit zones into moments for spontaneous collaboration. Outdoor Spaces: Rooftop terraces, courtyards, and even sidewalk patios are being winterized and tech-equipped to extend usable space year- round, supporting everything from walking meetings to wellness breaks. Corridors and Walkways: These are being widened, fur- nished with soft seating, and acoustically zoned to allow for impromptu huddles without disturbing nearby workstations. How AI & Data Are Powering Smarter Collaboration Hubs REAL-TIME UTILIZATION INSIGHTS AI-driven occupancy sen- sors and Wi-Fi analytics now reshape office life. The question isn’t just “How do I fit more desks?” but rather: How do I create dynamic, data-driven collaboration hubs that truly support today’s workforce? In today’s agile office, in- more than hallways or leftover corners. They are the connec - sual connection, and real pro- And the definition is expanding:
Finding Your Way Back to the Office When your team is returning to the office, signage and wayfinding is key when establishing new protocols. The team at HF Planners, LLC can help implement proper signage for your office to alleviate any confusion employees may have and improve the chance that new protocols will be followed.
3322 US22-W, Suite 1005 • Branchburg, NJ 08876 908.393.9984 • www.hfplanners.com Facility Planning • Facility Design • Facility Management
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