Google has announced that it is backing a return to the office and more “vibrant” workspaces, with a £730m investment intended to expand it’s UK capacity by 50%, and Poly SVP and managing director EMEA Paul Clark believes that other organisations are set to follow suit, rethinking and redesigning their offices.
“This move by Google will be the first of many, and we’ll start to see organisations rethink and redesign their office for the future of work,” he said. “As more employees embrace hybrid or remote work, or even opt to work in the office full-time, businesses will start investing in their office space to cater for changing working habits and preferences.”
Google is set to spend £730m in the UK, increasing its headcount from 6,400 to 10,000. It intends to buy the Central Saint Giles site in London where it currently rents, as well as embarking on a multi-million pound refurbishment to bring the site’s working environment up to par with the King’s Cross London development, which is currently being constructed – as well as ensuring that Central Saint Giles is less densely populated, with new hybrid working and covered outdoor spaces.
“What we’ll start to see is [other] organisations either upsizing or downsizing their spaces, or redesigning their existing space to create more open plan areas, collaboration spaces and meeting rooms,” added Clark. “But it’s important when redesigning the office that decisions are based on a people-first approach. Employers should consider employee personas to ensure they invest in the right technology and devices, which will help to create engaging environments that work for everyone.”
