Themed guided tours at ORGATEC Cologne

Optimising office space

For senior executives, HR professionals, and those responsible for sites and workplace space.

Cutting costs and retaining employees may seem like two separate challenges. On this tour, they are one and the same.

• How can you truly save costs with less space without cutting in the wrong places?
  
• Why should employees even come into the office?

Together with selected exhibitors, this tour examines several aspects of space planning from the perspective of senior management, HR and workplace teams. We show how an existing office building can be repurposed, densified or partially relinquished—and how to achieve genuine savings without cutting in the wrong places. We explore how the office can still strengthen employee retention, how underused space can be brought back to life, and which elements new technology and AI add to create a workplace that remains fit for the future. For each of these points, we present practical solutions.

Starting point: Congress Centrum Nord, 1st floor

Duration: 90 minutes

From rooms to relationships

For everyone, regardless of role or perspective.

An office that strengthens connection and keeps pace with change: this tour shows how the two come together.

• Which spaces foster genuine connection and strengthen pride and commitment to the company, without compromising actual work?
  
• Which human roles will become more important as AI and technology take over more tasks, and how can space support this?

Together with selected exhibitors, this tour explores how to design offices for a world that is constantly changing. We show which spaces enable genuine connection and strengthen pride and commitment to the company without compromising the work itself. We also ask how an office can remain effective in five or ten years despite continually changing requirements. And we explore which human roles will become more important as AI and technology take over more tasks, and how space can support both collaboration with machines and the human qualities involved. For each of these points, we present practical solutions.

Starting point: Congress Centrum Nord, 1st floor

Duration: 60 minutes

Tour for design professionals

For architects, interior designers and workplace developers.

Two questions, one perspective: how is the work you design for changing, and how does that change your own role as a designer?

• How are the requirements for offices changing as work itself changes?
• What does this mean for your planning and your scope of services as an architect or interior designer?

Together with selected exhibitors, this tour examines several aspects of office design from the perspective of architects, interior designers and planners. We explore changing acoustic and spatial requirements as AI and voice input become part of everyday office life. We show the opportunities and risks of reducing floor space from a designer’s perspective, and how the office can continue to function effectively. We also discuss the requests clients make most often today, such as strengthening employee retention or revitalising an underused office. For each of these points, we present practical solutions.

Starting point: Congress Centrum Nord, 1st floor

Duration: 90 minutes