Plenary Sessions
Building the hybrid workplace: Cisco’s journey turning its offices into a magnet, not a mandate
Hybrid work is challenging assumptions that have driven workplace design for 50 years, and organizations must rethink how spaces, HR policies, and technology come together to serve employees moving forward. Mark Miller charts Cisco’s path of redefining of its workplace strategy, including the divestment of under-utilized offices and modernization investments to support hybrid work. He identifies critical strategic planning elements including rebalancing space; supporting more collaborative, learning, and social environments; meeting sustainability and health-and-wellness goals; and digitizing the real estate portfolio. He illustrates additional advantages for recruitment, innovation, and engagement, and he relates valuable lessons learned from the process.
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Monday, October 16th 8:45AM - 9:10AM | Pacific Ballroom |
Embracing hybrid work: Citi’s workplace transformation for balance and flexibility
A hybrid work model Citi rolled out in 2022 has driven a large-scale renovation for the Tampa location, and the new workplace environment delivers on both the “better together” corporate culture targets and employee work/life flexibility. Isilay Civan highlights key features of the built environment that impact user experiences and reflect how we work today, and how those have been delivered with this recent project. She examines a combination of on-site wellness features and amenities that complement an array of collaboration spaces to maximize the effectiveness of employees’ in-person time together, and the change management processes that were needed.
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Monday, October 16th 9:10AM - 9:35AM | Pacific Ballroom |
Goodbye 1:1 desk-to-employee ratios: UCSD’s industry-leading space management framework
UC San Diego is implementing industry-leading strategies that ditch 1:1 desk-to-employee ratios and allow more adaptable spaces, campuswide,for ALL staff. Eliud Escobedo illustrates the data capture and analysis requirements needed for optimal decision-making, developing policy and deployment strategies for occupancy sensors, and ultimately improving space use efficiency and work arrangements for 45,000+ employees. He maps the effects of the pandemic on work culture, fresh organizational pressures, and a new willingness to adopt flexible and hybrid work solutions. He identifies common roadblocks to expect, creative solutions, lessons learned, and the benefits that are achievable in terms of productivity, worker satisfaction, more beneficial space use, and tangible cost savings.
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Monday, October 16th 9:55AM - 10:20AM | Pacific Ballroom |
The amenity-rich inclusive workplace: On-site facility investments for a hybrid future
A major component of successful hybrid, return-to-campus, and recruitment/retention strategies is the physical environment that workers can return to. Here you’ll see TruStage Financial Group's first installment of a campus modernization initiative: a 300,000-sf all-amenities building that welcomes employees back on-site with perks and wellness features. Bill Fedun provides a rundown on TruStage's decision making, high-priority space types, functions, services, and the inclusivity features that earned the building a Silver Universal Design Certification. He also illustrates future-proofing flexibility features that support a wide range of uses and preferences, from a versatile auditorium to group and private collaboration space.
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Monday, October 16th 10:25AM - 10:50AM | Pacific Ballroom |
Hard data to drive space decisions: Lessons learned from re-thinking everything post-pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, and rather than maladapting previous approaches to meet now-outdated space management and workplace objectives, very different strategies are needed to support the new ways of working both on- and off- campus. In this session, Wendy Hess identifies how new datasets made available during the pandemic provided an invaluable window into actual space utilization as staff returned to campus. She illustrates how this data changed plans and workspace designs and demonstrates the conclusions drawn from meticulous data analysis that introduce more flexibility and creativity into the space management processes.
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Monday, October 16th 3:45PM - 4:10PM | Pacific Ballroom |
Lessons learned from a 5-year, 10% space reduction initiative
In 2019 and 2022 Tradeline conferences, the University of Missouri shared their playbook for reducing campus building area by 750,000 gsf, or nearly 10% of physical space by 2023. Now you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look into what the bold space reduction initiative accomplished. They demonstrate project goals and outcomes, surprises along the way, and how to create "succession planning" for growth without the need for physical expansion. They demonstrate the policies and processes that demolished or divested of 19 buildings, saved $145 million from deferred maintenance/capital needs backlog, and reduced operation costs by $4.7 million.
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Tuesday, October 17th 9:45AM - 10:10AM | Pacific Ballroom |
The effects of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on current and future space plans: New requirements and solutions
The new inclusive workplace brings with it novel space configurations and accommodations that will redefine space utilization and productivity expectations going forward. In this concluding session, Niraj Dangoria leads an interactive discussion on how current space models are changing in private industry, academia, and government to make workplaces equitable and inclusive for a diverse user population, possible equity conflicts to watch out for, solutions being achieved, and the net effects on traditional space planning processes and program requirements.
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Tuesday, October 17th 2:55PM - 3:40PM |
Concurrent Forum Sessions
(Pre-selection is not required.)
Designing for vibrant, flexible higher ed environments: Post-occupancy evaluation of an adaptive reuse project
How can the design of an education building allow students to take more ownership over their educational success, create a sense of belonging, and form strong relationships between faculty, staff, and students? This session explores the post-occupancy evaluation results of a recently completed adaptive reuse project. Session leaders demonstrate how qualitative and quantitative data from the perspectives of faculty, staff, and students reveal how the utilization and effectiveness of the space supports learning and occupant wellness, and how the pandemic impacted the use of the building. They detail important considerations for designing and managing flexible, multi-purpose spaces.
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Monday, October 16th 11:10AM - 12:05PM | Atlantic 1 |
Technology and software solutions: Getting the right occupancy data and improving space utilization
A top priority for space planning and space management groups – across all industries – is getting accurate data to inform occupancy decisions and the move to new hybrid workplace models. This session offers an example of how that can be achieved with a combination of technology and software. Sue Bork and Mason Bowen demonstrate how Eastern Tennessee University leveraged the existing Wi-Fi network and sensor technology to see and understand occupancy patterns in an entirely new way. They illustrate how the resulting data enabled them to view actual vs. booked spaces, identify underutilized spaces, and make critical staffing and operations decisions which directly impact the bottom line.
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Monday, October 16th 11:10AM - 12:05PM | Atlantic 2 |
Tuesday, October 17th 10:35AM - 11:30AM | Atlantic 1 |
Future proofing your workplace: Benchmarks and change management processes for aligning space with workforce
New hybrid workplace models for a more transient workforce are allowing organizations to unlock higher levels of space utilization, flexibility, and workforce engagement, and here you’ll see the latest workplace design solutions embraced by corporate, government, and academic entities. The Stantec team examines benchmarks and change management strategies for highly efficient, responsive, and productive space inventories. They identify critical steps for creating qualitative and quantitative strategies, scenario planning and gap analysis, developing and implementing new space ratios and standards, concept testing and iteration processes, and occupant satisfaction measurement. They illustrate employee engagement and bottom-line benefits of closer alignment of facilities with current and future workforces.
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Monday, October 16th 11:10AM - 12:05PM | Atlantic 3 |
Tuesday, October 17th 11:45AM - 12:40PM | Atlantic 1 |
Integrated planning, programming, and design for flexibility, functionality, and utilization
Improved flexibility, functionality, and space utilization are three of the top priorities for institutional leadership, faculty, and students, and this session sets out a process to meet these goals in your next project. Session leaders highlight two case studies to demonstrate new robust stakeholder engagement strategies that lead to space sharing, collaboration, and multivalent space use at community colleges and vocational institutions. They demonstrate how space and scheduling needs reveal areas of possible collaboration, sharing, and cross-programming, and they illustrate space planning strategies that utilize enrollment and utilization analysis tools to shape more impactful space programs.
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Monday, October 16th 1:10PM - 2:05PM | Atlantic 2 |
Tuesday, October 17th 1:45PM - 2:40PM | Atlantic 1 |
Purposeful incentives in the Hybrid Workplace: Boosting employee presence and performance
The workplace landscape has shifted dramatically, and many organizations are pivoting their office portfolios toward hybrid workspaces that meet the specific needs of their teams, employees, and communities. But the transition to a hybridized office is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. In this presentation, Melissa Marsh examines the critical importance of testing and validating design assumptions before scaling solutions. She sets out metrics and criteria that companies can use to evaluate their post-COVID real estate portfolio decisions, uplift their workforce, and maximize the potential of their space. She explores the big idea behind the hybrid workplace and how it manifests in the context of management, support, communications, and technology.
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Monday, October 16th 1:10PM - 2:05PM | Atlantic 1 |
Creating dynamic environments for the hybrid work experience
The shift in demand towards premier, Class A, amenity-rich work environments is generating hospitality-inspired “destination” facilities that foster creative ecosystems, support hybrid work models and create a compelling experience. Gable Clarke and Adrienne Erdman deliver a case study of tech-company Cambridge Consultants’ new Boston office, illustrating the importance of understanding user motivations and goals. From flexible furniture and diverse workstations to wellness, productivity, and culture they examine the alignment of project objectives with existing infrastructure, and how to support the myriad of personal, team, spatial and technological needs of today’s employees.
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Monday, October 16th 1:10PM - 2:05PM | Atlantic 3 |
Tuesday, October 17th 11:45AM - 12:40PM | Atlantic 2 |
Accessibility and the hybrid workplace: Challenges, solutions, risk mitigation
In this session, Chris Morett identifies practical approaches to mitigate risks to accessibility arising from the transition from assigned workplace seating to a free address model -- where individuals work in variable locations and activities with a shifting array of colleagues. He examines a range of individual characteristics - including physical, sensory, and neurological - that should inform the design and allocation of space to achieve an accessible workplace. He also highlights how organizations can leverage hybrid work to better reflect individual preferences and needs, and how addressing challenges and opportunities promises increased worker productivity, satisfaction, well-being, and retention.
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Monday, October 16th 2:20PM - 3:15PM | Atlantic 1 |
Tuesday, October 17th 1:45PM - 2:40PM | Atlantic 2 |
A framework for implementing hybrid workplace models and managing space
The "post-pandemic world" has accelerated the need for Facilities Management and Space Management teams across all industries to reassess and devise new strategies for managing their organization's workspace strategy. In this session, leaders describe a framework developed by the UHN FM-PRO team that identifies the essential elements used to best manage space, and the elements that informed the type of hybrid workplace model to implement. They examine specific examples of hybrid models implemented at UHN to illustrate the framework elements and processes, and detail how change management is the confluence of the various framework elements and processes.
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Monday, October 16th 2:20PM - 3:15PM | Atlantic 2 |
Tuesday, October 17th 1:45PM - 2:40PM | Atlantic 3 |
Harvesting BIM to build informed environments
In this session you’ll see the transformative power of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), Digital Twins, and the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in managing the lifecycle of buildings. Session leaders illustrate from a BIM Execution Plan to final handover, how these technologies can lead to significant cost savings, improved outcomes for building owners and rapidly changing potential in facility room and asset management. They examine a case study from the largest higher education district in the U.S. and engage participants in an interactive scenario that delivers fresh insights and practical, applicable knowledge.
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Tuesday, October 17th 8:05AM - 9:00AM | Atlantic 2 |
Piloting post-pandemic workplace models: Best practices and painful lessons learned
Mistakes will be made. Well-intentioned ideas will be poorly received. The drawing board will be reviewed, revised and revisited. Eventually the 95% solution will emerge. The question is, how can that test-evaluate-iterate process be optimized to get the most valuable information in the shortest amount of time? Carolyn Cirillo profiles examples of workplace planning pilot studies of different scales across varied industries, and distills lessons learned and best practices for inculcating a “beta test” mindset and conducting valuable research. She illustrates the importance of learning to embrace failure as a necessary part of pushing the envelope on space use.
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Monday, October 16th 2:20PM - 3:15PM | Atlantic 3 |
Tuesday, October 17th 8:05AM - 9:00AM | Atlantic 1 |
Improved space utilization, flexibility, and reduced cost: A shift in space planning at UMD
New academic priorities and hard state funding limitations are challenging university planners across North America to do more with less funding. In this session, presenters call upon a case study of the new School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland to illustrate new design strategies that improve space utilization, increase flexibility, and reduce cost through multi-purposed facility resources, communal space, and innovative learning and office environments. They examine the outcome and how it has become a destination weaving together far-flung campus stakeholders and competing priorities through a mix of ancient and modern design strategies.
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Tuesday, October 17th 8:05AM - 9:00AM | Atlantic 3 |
Impacts of space & design on laboratory staff experience and productivity: Nationwide survey results
With an unprecedented surge of interest in hybrid work and right-sizing strategies for research science settings comes a need for practical and scientifically proven metrics to monitor space effectiveness now and into the future. In this session, the Gensler team dissects the results of a third-party nationwide survey to reveal what space strategies drive positive researcher experience and productivity, and where there is opportunity for disruption. They detail the survey methodology and statistically meaningful findings around the themes of diversity and inclusion, (De)centralization, space layout, hybrid work, and lab researcher occupancy profiles.
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Tuesday, October 17th 10:35AM - 11:30AM | Atlantic 2 |
Allianz transforms the workplace for a new hybrid world
The return to the office post-pandemic is characterized by a renewed focus on hybrid work models, workplace effectiveness, and a heightened emphasis on employee well-being, with HR, finance, facilities, and real estate leaders looking for ways to rationalize and refocus their workplaces. Brian Haines profiles Cloud + IoT solutions for creating a connected, integrated workforce experience anytime and everywhere with optimum productivity. Then Marte Byrne delivers a case study of how Allianz Life Insurance has leveraged the technology to develop a 30,000-sf “workplace of the future” prototype, and the insights and findings that will be relevant to any organization undertaking similar projects.
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Tuesday, October 17th 10:35AM - 11:30AM | Atlantic 3 |
Transitioning to new research work modalities: Design + change management strategies for Astra Zeneca
In a departure from legacy departmentally-assigned floorplans, AstraZeneca’s new consolidated workplace is organized around employee “personas” representing scientific typologies – an approach which better aligns space with mission and vision. Presenters profile the resulting programming solutions and workplace features including multi-purpose spaces for increased flexibility, a shared conferencing center, and interdepartmental core facilities. They illustrate how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) strategies have been integrated into this wellness-focused, LEED Platinum facility, and the change management strategies employed to aid workers in transitioning to an unassigned space model.
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Tuesday, October 17th 11:45AM - 12:40PM | Atlantic 3 |