FMLink Weekly News Digest I June 14, 2022
Cushman & Wakefield, a leading real estate services firm, released a study titled Office of the Future Revisited. The study reports on employees’ thoughts on returning to work, the need for hybrid office workspaces, and increased demand for space in office-using industries. The report is based on Cushman & Wakefield analysis of industry leasing data, its own surveys since the onset of the pandemic, and other sources.

"The report also showcases other trends, including industries and geographic areas experiencing economic growth. Overall, post-pandemic job expansion has fared better in industry sectors with positions that tend to be office-based, such as tech and finance," said David Smith, global head of Occupier Insights at Cushman & Wakefield and co-author of the report.

NeoCon, the major commercial interiors event running this week in Chicago, has just revealed the winners of the 2022 edition of the prestigious Best of NeoCon Awards. Now in its 32nd year, the program annually attracts scores of groundbreaking product submissions from leading manufacturers in the commercial design industry.

After an intensive in-person evaluation by an esteemed jury of influential architects, designers, specifiers, enterprise clients, and facility managers, Halcon’s Helm table won the ultimate honor of Best of Competition. A total of 99 awards in 52 categories were announced during a lively breakfast celebration this morning, Monday, June 13, at theMART. Industry dynamo and officeinsight Publisher/Editor-in-chief Bob Beck once again took the Helm as the official master of ceremonies.

"Best of NeoCon has been an invaluable component of the NeoCon experience since 1990. The caliber of our jury is unparalleled — recognition by this group of highly active industry decision makers is incredibly powerful and a great achievement. Congratulations to all the winners!" commented Best of NeoCon Awards Competition Director Eileen McMorrow, of The McMorrow Reports.

If you were unable to attend the NFMT show in Baltimore, or just want a refresher of the education sessions, you can access the full-length videos from 20-plus education sessions. All videos qualify for one hour of continuing education credits. (Please note that 0.1 IACET credit equates to one hour of continuing education.)

Sessions include:

new report from the NAIOP Research Foundation predicts that as the pandemic has increased office vacancy rates, a rising need for medical, life science and multifamily spaces offers a solution.

"Use of office space has changed as the pandemic propelled remote work and hybrid schedules for traditional office workers. This leaves the potential for older and empty office space to be converted into uses that are in greater demand, creating a best-case scenario for office owners and developers as well as the sectors that need space," pointed out Thomas J. Bisacquino, president and CEO of NAIOP.

An excerpt from the report notes: "Although it is difficult to estimate the amount of office space that will become available as long-term leases expire in the years ahead, there will probably be an excess supply of office buildings in most markets. This outcome is leading property owners and developers to actively seek alternative uses for these office properties. Strong demand exists for life science lab space, medical office space and rental apartments in many markets due in part to the continuing threat of new viruses, chronic health conditions, an aging population and migration to cities or from one area of the country to another."

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently published its 2022 Electrical Standards & Products Guide (ESPG), which is said to be the electroindustry’s go-to resource for 1,000 standards and technical documents, product categories, and the manufacturers of those products. This year’s edition features 20 new documents published in 2021.

"NEMA standards continuously evolve with technological breakthroughs and innovations that improve product performance, efficiency, safety, and sustainability. They are created by teams comprised of business leaders, electrical experts, engineers, scientists, and technicians, which include regulators, NGOs, and building code officials," explained Debra Phillips, NEMA president and CEO.

Most people, in fact 99% of the world, breathe air containing levels of pollutants that exceed WHO guideline limits, for what is considered to be healthy, according to statistics cited by global air filtration specialist Camfil. On the other hand, we also spend 90% of our time indoors and it is primarily indoors that we can protect ourselves from air pollution. So how do we clean indoor air? To answer that, Camfil City was created to show solutions for addressing air quality concerns in an engaging format.

Camfil City is a virtual world providing information and product solutions for air quality challenges. Camfil developed this 3D virtual world as a digital tool for its customers and potential new customers.

Martin Hellsten, Camfil City project lead, explains about the application, "Camfil City is an online 3D application inviting people to move around in a virtual urban setting and learn the basics about how Camfil’s air filter solutions can make air clean, safe and healthy."

The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, recently announced that Dr. Deborah Birx, world-renowned medical physician, infectious disease expert and diplomat, will be the keynote speaker at the GBAC Symposium on Air Considerations, August 16-17, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The inaugural GBAC Symposium will bring together scientists and industry thought leaders to share innovations and best practices for improving indoor air quality in nonhealthcare settings.

"The GBAC Symposium is our next step in driving innovation and advancement to make our world safer," stated GBAC Senior Director Michael Diamond. "This event will bring together environmental safety and infectious disease experts such as Dr. Birx and organizations to discuss real solutions for public health concerns.

Sentry Interactive, an Austin, Texas-based provider of advanced digital detection and communication platforms, has just acquired Doordeck, a UK-headquartered innovator in cloud-based access control and mobile credentialing.

According to Sentry Interactive, Doordeck pioneered a new approach to building safety, security, and access management technology that allows companies to utilize mobile credentialing — while also aggregating across and integrating to the majority of existing access control systems. This gives customers the ability to leverage their current investments and provide mobile access to users and doors everywhere.

The post-pandemic return to the office provides employees at all levels of an organization with hybrid working flexibility, including in the executive suite, points out commercial office furniture manufacturer Innovant. Like other office areas, the redefined executive office increasingly turns into a hub for collaborative work or can morph into a flexible work and meeting space for one, two or multiple users.

Recent Innovant focus groups with architects and designers confirmed that today’s workplace requires furniture and office space to be multifunctional, allowing employees to maximize their in-office productivity through equal access to space, privacy and technology.

Innovant’s forward-thinking answer to these multifaceted challenges is the Palette benching system, a family of furniture and technology support designed in collaboration with San Francisco-based STUDIOS Architecture. Palette can be configured to create highly functional and efficient conference and huddle rooms, as well as shared and private office space.

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