Challenging preconceptions and understanding why one size does not fit all.
RICS, in partnership with the Middle East Council of Offices (MECO) has conducted a significant Middle East wide initiative to examine the impact of office design and configuration on business productivity.
The findings provide a unique insight about the impact the physical environment has on the productivity of workers, and how to improve the return on investment in corporate real estate.
The study was undertaken by Professor Nick Nunnington of Nottingham Trent University and Dr Barry Haynes, of Sheffield Hallam University; authors of the leading text book "Corporate Real Estate Asset Management: Strategy & Implementation".
The team spoke to over 500 office workers in the Middle East region to understand their working habits, motivations, likes and dislikes, and general working environment. The data was used to model a statistical analysis of how people occupy the workspace, how they feel most content and what may affect their productivity. Crucially, conclusions have been drawn as to how the physical design of a commercial office may respond to these needs and create a more productive workspace.
Global corporate occupiers are taking a fresh look at their real estate in a drive around saving costs and enabling their businesses. With clear evidence that employee productivity is directly affected by the environment within which they work, that working at home isn't always the right solution for everyone and that the 100% open-plan office layout is as much a barrier as it is a supporter of flexible working, a fresh look at what people want and need in an office is overdue.
"We are delighted to have launched this report in conjunction with RICS. The study supports the Best Practice Guide produced by MECO in 2014 which aims to establish best practices in the specification of modern office buildings and ultimately improve the quality of office accommodation in the Middle East."
Christopher Seymour, Regional Development Director Mott MacDonald and co-chair Middle East Council Offices.
The Middle East has seen a significant influx of multi-national companies over recent years which, when coupled with the requirements of local companies, has created a wide variety of occupation styles across commercial office space in the region.
"Whilst similar surveys have conducted in many other parts of the World, in the Middle East we have unique employee demographics and cultural diversity and we were keen to support the research as it is fundamental in capturing what works in this very specific market."
Robert Jackson, RICS Managing Director MENA
The report considers corporate real estate as a business enabler and will have widespread appeal to practitioners across the industry.
The report will be launched at events in Abu Dhabi on 11 May and Dubai on 12 May and is available to download from the RICS website.
About RICS:
RICS promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. Our name promises the consistent delivery of standards - bringing confidence to the markets we serve. We accredit 118,000 professionals and any individual or firm registered with RICS is subject to our quality assurance. With offices covering the major political and financial centres of the world, our market presence means we are ideally placed to influence policy and embed professional standards. We work at a cross-governmental level, delivering international standards that will support a safe and vibrant marketplace in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure, for the benefit of all.
About MECO:
The Middle East Council for Offices was established in 2009 with a mission to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. MECO encourages, leads and provides a regional forum for discussion and debate of current and future issues relevant to the commercial building sector, and assists in the development of guidelines for good, marketable office developments across the Middle East region. MECO works closely with a growing number of key players in the real estate, development and construction industries in the region.
For more information, please contact:
RICS in Middle East: Lynne Fraser, Marketing & Communications Manager on lfraser@rics.org or Tel: +971 (0) 4 375 3075
© Press Release 2016
