September: the month of new beginnings, and the perfect time to put a well-worn concept back under the microscope, Activity Based Working (ABW). Flexible, inspiring, motivating… on paper. But what happens today, in a landscape of hybrid realities and generations who approach work in an increasingly subjective and emancipated way?
You may have noticed it too: a few cracks are showing. And since, as the saying goes, “three clues make a proof,” we’ve pulled out three key data points from Altis’ Proprietary Research that show why it’s time to rethink the model as we know it.
First clue: from flexibility to fragmentation
ABW was born with a promise: more freedom, fewer fixed desks, more collaboration. Yet the post-pandemic reality has handed us a paradox: 55% of Gen Z say they feel lonely or struggle to build social relationships (McKinsey). If the office fails to act as a human glue, flexibility risks turning into fragmentation, because more freedom doesn’t automatically mean more wellbeing.
Second clue: productivity, but only up to a point
Studies on ABW show gains in physical activity and satisfaction, but also small dips in productivity. We move more, we feel better… but do we really work better? It’s the classic trade-off: the environment encourages interaction and movement, but without a design calibrated on people, it risks slowing processes instead of speeding them up.
Third clue: ROI is no longer just about real estate
For years ABW was adopted to cut workstations and optimise square metres. Today, however, ROI means looking beyond occupancy: mental health, engagement, the quality of interactions. In a hybrid world, the true value of space isn’t “how many desks you save,” but “how many connections you generate.”
The proof: taking a step forward with EBW
This is why at Altis we talk about Emotion Based Working. Not just a catchy acronym, but a solid approach rooted in both data and people. At its core lies our Proprietary Research, which explores the relationship between space and behaviour, investigating how the physical environment influences emotional states and social dynamics inside the workplace. This way, every project is grounded in scientific evidence and a true understanding of how space can improve both wellbeing and productivity.
Because today’s work is shaped more by emotions than by mere activity. And it’s time to design places that reflect this reality, without nostalgia for old models, and with one key insight in mind: the next “upgrade” in work won’t be purely technological, but emotional.
The rest of the story? Write to us at [email protected]. We’ll tell you more.
