Expectations of modern office and commercial space will continue to change. In future, tenants will be looking more than ever for solutions that allow not only desk workers to work more flexibly, greener and more collaboratively, but also production workers.
In Munich, UBM Development and ARE Austrian Real Estate want to meet future challenges with the Timber Factory. It is set to be the city’s first timber hybrid campus of this size.
In the coming years, companies will increasingly rely on modular room concepts, movable partition walls and flexible furniture. According to a PwC study, 93 percent of companies are already using flexible workplace models such as flex desks. Companies need less space overall due to working from home, but need to make better use of this space, especially at peak times. The European market for flexible office solutions is growing rapidly: experts forecast an annual growth rate of 10.72% until 2029, which corresponds to an increase from USD 17.93 billion in 2024 to USD 29.83 billion in five years.
Collaboration areas as a catalyst for innovation
Bye bye office, hello AI: modern offices are transforming into vibrant inspiration hubs and are increasingly becoming communication centers. Tenants want more open areas to promote exchange and innovation among employees. Open areas enable spontaneous exchange, flexible meeting zones catalyze creative solution finding, while protected retreats enable concentrated teamwork. A more intelligent use of space is not only sustainable, but has been proven to increase innovative strength. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, the right physical environment promotes innovation: According to the study, there is a positive correlation between well-designed office space and increased creativity.
Industrial space in transition: merging laboratory, production and office
Another trend: in certain industries, particularly in the life sciences sector, office space is being combined with laboratory and production areas – to promote research and development. According to David S. Christmann, Managing Director of UBM Development Germany, this development is urgently needed.
While office space has undergone major changes in recent years, production and laboratory space is still lagging far behind in terms of workplace quality. Yet there is enormous interest in high-quality space. In the last five years, the sector has seen rental price growth of 39 percent. In addition, developments in the circular economy are driving demand. According to the Boston Consulting Group, the market volume of the circular economy in Germany could grow to 200 billion euros by 2030. “New, modern production and office space is being created here, creating space for sustainable workplaces with specific requirements,” says Gerd Pichler, Head of ARE Development. For this reason, the creators of the Timber Factory are explicitly focusing on laboratory and life science space in their project. Together with ARE Austrian Real Estate, UBM is developing Munich’s first commercial campus in timber-hybrid construction with the Timber Factory.
More than one in ten offices already bears the sustainability seal
Sustainability is more than just an optional feature in 2025: tenants and employees expect environmentally friendly buildings with sustainable materials, energy-efficient systems and biophilic design. Certified office space is in demand: 14% of German office buildings already carry sustainability seals such as DGNB, LEED or BREEAM – and the trend is rising. Another signal: the trend towards “climate quitting”. Younger generations in particular are rejecting jobs in companies without credible climate protection strategies. Sustainable working environments are therefore becoming a decisive factor in employee retention and recruitment.
“The office market is in a state of upheaval. Successful landlords not only offer square meters, but also create working environments that promote productivity, creativity and well-being. The spatial environment is becoming a strategic lever for companies that want to specifically promote innovation, flexibility and team spirit,” says David S. Christmann.
Quelle: http://www.deal-magazin.com/news/142382/Von-Flex-Desk-bis-Green-Office-Buerotrends-2025