Following the success of the HCMC hybrid office, the Ha Noi team will step into the future of work at Lotte Center, applying a hybrid work setup across 600 sq m. Matthew Powell, Director of Savills Ha Noi remarked: “In recent years, the office model has been constantly evolving. Nowadays, offices must be multifunctional. They must deliver diverse spaces, so people can finish their tasks in different ways rather than just at a fixed desk. Flexibility, trust, and employee empowerment are the keys to improving their performance and productivity.”

The Future of Work: Prioritising Experience

The Savills team collaborated with internal experts and design consultants to create a modern, dynamic, and flexible office that prioritises collaboration and experience. There are more meeting rooms, focus booths, and a stylish lounge. A key feature within the hybrid office is the “hot desk” system, which facilitates flexibility. As made evident in its LEED and WELL certifications, the "office of the future" is designed to meet sustainability goals like reducing its carbon footprint and improving health.

The new office's open and flexible design enables and optimises connectivity and collaboration. It has greater functionality and unique areas like a café lounge. Non-fixed seating also means employees can work however and wherever they are most comfortable.

The meeting rooms support online and offline meetings with LCD screens, cameras, and high-quality sound systems. The new office is also fitted with smart sensor devices like automatic lights, which reflect real use while optimising energy use and reducing operating costs. The intelligent power management systems are expected to reduce electricity consumption by up to 23% compared to the old office.

Savills new hybrid office prioritises physical and mental health, with features and amenities that meet international standards. The architects were inspired by nature and used colours and design features to bring elements of nature and tropical forest into the office, which has ensured a comfortable and relaxed environment.

Thanks to sustainable materials and low volatile organic compounds (VOC), the office has minimised its impact on the environment. The optimisation of natural light will also require less energy consumption. The office has a WELL certificate, which measures the human experience within an office. As such, the air and water quality are monitored and tested regularly.

Globally, Savills had committed to reaching net zero by 2030. In Viet Nam, Savills aims to become a leader in sustainability. As such, the new office is LEED and WELL certified.

“We are making persistent efforts in our business activities to improve the environment and develop sustainability. The construction of the new office model is a small part of our long-term ESG commitment. Apart from our internal changes, this office will be used as a tool to inspire greater interest in green and sustainable offices. A significant part of our mission is to support our partners and clients to reach their sustainability goals," Powell said.

Diverse Office Requirements

The pandemic reshaped office requirements. Increasingly, offices need to facilitate productivity and collaboration but are also key in meeting ESG targets, retaining talent, and improving mental and physical health.

According to Savills Office Fit 2021 survey results, those who expressed the need for a fixed workstation accounted for 36% of the respondents, while those who think that a workspace is more meaningful to them made up 36%. A significant portion of the survey (34%) indicated that utilities are necessary for them to socialise and learn, and 30% said that upgrading the online meeting system is essential for the workplace. Because of the increasingly diverse demands for workspaces, businesses need support from an experienced consultancy to collect information through which each department's wants and needs can be better understood. This consultancy will give expert advice to companies to ensure their office design will facilitate the best experience and support their ESG goals.

Different industries have different office requirements and ESG goals.Hoang Nguyet Minh, Senior Director of Commercial Leasing at Savills Ha Noi, explained: “ICT tenants have specific technical requirements, given their use of complex machinery. They have stringent technical requirements and need features like greater floor loading or high-powered electrical cabinets. Finance, insurance, and real estate (FIRE) tenants need large workspaces for events and meetings. Viet Nam has a young workforce, who enjoy coming into the office but also want dynamic spaces that inspire creativity.”

With experience in consulting on hybrid work and green offices, Minh noted, "Employees are driving office design. Before designing our new offices, we evaluated the needs of each department. For example, the Residential Sales or Commercial Leasing teams will be out of the office for most of the day but will need areas that facilitate concentration when they are back in the office. Conversely, Research will spend 80% of their time in the office. By understanding the real needs, we could design a suitable desk ratio. With more flexible seating, we have added more meeting rooms. Collaborative areas like the café will boost efficiency because they are multifunctional, allowing people to meet, socialise, and collaborate."

Conclusion

Savills delivers a comprehensive range of commercial leasing services for both office tenants and property developers. With the rise in hybrid work, our commercial leasing team has successfully advised many clients to understand how efficient offices must meet the specific demands of their organisation. If you are planning to switch to hybrid work or need any leasing service with the help of experts, contact Hoang Nguyet Minh for more information.