News / Analysis
‘A seismic shift in how and where we work’
A seismic shift in how and where we work will take place by 2030, while new homes in Bristol look set to be pre-fabricated “like cars” within the next five years, according to property consultancy JLL.
Research into how technology is shaping the workplace was shared on Thursday at JLL’s annual South West Market Review as it looks ahead to the future asking ‘what next?’ for the region’s property market.
Simon Peacock, head of the Bristol office of JLL, said: “It is only a matter of time before we see a wave of change within the workplace in Bristol and the South West as great strides are made in the advancement of smart technology and the Internet of Things.
“Our interaction with augmented and virtual reality devices – without the need for an interface – is likely to rise, with the potential for this technology to shape your day, prompting you to go to meetings and adapting the environment within which you work to boost productivity.
“Workers will be increasingly freed from their desks, process-driven tasks will become automated and we expect to see smaller core workforces working with a pool of freelancers.
“However, there is no doubt that these changes will bring big challenges, both for workers and their employers.”
The report also predicts the growth in Bristol and beyond of off-site construction of modular housing, the modern-day equivalent of the pre-fabs of the 1960s, which could alleviate pressure on the housing market.
Hilton Worldwide recently partnered with modular building provider CIMC to develop its first modular hotel at Bristol Airport, due to open next month.
The modular technique means that the guest rooms are manufactured elsewhere, in this case China, before being shipped to the UK, transported to the site and fully assembled.
Photo shows JLL’s new Bristol office on Great George Street
Read more: 5 office trends for 2017
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