Summertown Interiors, the UAE’s leading fit-out contractor specialising in green interiors, joined industry thought leaders to discuss the importance of smart and healthy workplaces. Speakers included Marcos Bish, Managing Director of Summertown Interiors; Onno Willemse, Director Business Development Smart Buildings of Royal HaskoningDHV and Jan Arentoft, Managing Director of Royal Ahrend Middle East.
The open breakfast forum was hosted by the Dutch Design Center in the Dubai Design District with each speaker providing a different perspective on smart and healthy workplaces. Onno Willemse presented compelling case studies on how engineering consultants Royal HaskoningDHV have helped businesses analyse an employees’ journey and utilise their workplace’s data to improve their processes and productivity. Whilst, Marcos Bish focussed on how to deliver a sustainable fit out that enhances the workplace environment, and provides social, environmental and economic benefits. Finally, Jan Arentoft shared the benefits of agile working, sustainable furniture and Ahrend’s new smart technological app, PuK, which enables employees to easily find colleagues and available workplaces, making flexible working more productive.
During the concluding Q&A and panel discussion, moderated by Vineetha Mathew Founding Partner of Sustainable Mindz, all speakers were aligned that creating workplaces do enhance employee happiness and productivity should be a top priority for companies. Also, if done, well, smart and healthy workplaces can positively impact a company’s bottom line. Employees will be more engaged and work better together, costs will be managed more efficiently, and the company will gain credibility in the market.