Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

Creating Adaptable Workplaces

One of the biggest challenges is balancing the need for flexibility with the need for structure. It's important to create a space that can adapt to changing needs, but it also needs to provide a sense of order and organization.

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

From Static to Dynamic

Agile furniture refers to a transformative approach in office design that emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and collaboration within workspaces. This innovative concept arises from the increasing need for organizations to swiftly adjust their physical environments in response to fluctuating team sizes and project demands. By replacing traditional, static office layouts with modular, reconfigurable solutions, agile furniture fosters a culture of dynamic interaction and teamwork among employees, making it a pivotal component of modern workplace strategy

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

Smart Energy, Smart Campus

By combining these four elements – onsite generation, energy storage, fault-managed power, and agile furniture – Stanford has the opportunity to create a living laboratory for sustainable energy solutions. This integrated approach will not only reduce the university's carbon footprint but also provide invaluable data and insights that can be shared with the world. It will solidify Stanford's position as a leader in sustainability and inspire other institutions to follow suit.

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

The ROI of CRE Innovation

It makes a lot of sense for companies that own large amounts of commercial office space to have technology research organizations within their business.

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

Tech or Be Left Behind

The commercial real estate (CRE) sector stands at a crossroads.

While traditionally known for its brick-and-mortar foundations, the industry's future hinges on its ability to embrace technological innovation. This is not merely about adopting existing solutions, but about actively researching and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow's built environment.

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

From Conflict to Convergence

The future of office building development likely lies in finding that sweet spot where smart upfront investments lead to long-term cost savings and enhanced value. Technology is making that possible, blurring the lines between the traditional approaches of REITs and private owners and creating a new era of opportunity for both.

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

Direct Current, Direct Impact

Integrating onsite power generation, fault-managed power (FMP), and battery-powered agile furniture has emerged as a pivotal advancement in the evolution of DC-powered buildings, offering innovative solutions to long-standing technical challenges in energy distribution and workspace design.

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

The Power of Presence

While remote collaboration tools have their advantages, many companies believe that in-person interaction is still essential for effectively integrating AI and driving innovation. The combination of human creativity, emotional intelligence, and the dynamic exchange of ideas that occurs in face-to-face settings can be difficult to replicate in a virtual environment.

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

Agile Workplaces in the Age of AI Part 2 of 2

The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming not just what we do, but how and where we do it. As AI boosts worker productivity, it's not just our jobs that are changing – it's the very fabric of our workplaces. The concept of the agile workplace, already focused on flexibility and adaptability, is being supercharged by the AI revolution, leading to a future where workspaces are in a constant state of evolution.

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

Agile Workplaces in the Age of AI Part 1 of 2

The rise of artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic fantasy; it's the present reality, reshaping industries and redefining the very nature of work.

For organizations to not just survive but thrive in this new era, a fundamental shift is required – a concerted effort to infuse AI skills into every facet of the business, from hiring and promotion strategies to leadership development and workplace design. This isn't merely a technological upgrade; it's a complete transformation.

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Robert Kroon Robert Kroon

Whose Lane Is It Anyway?

This blog post explores the challenges and opportunities presented by innovative products that blur traditional professional boundaries, using August Berres' battery-powered agile workplace furniture as a prime example. These pieces, while appearing to be furniture, also have electrical and potential IT implications, creating ambiguity regarding which professional "lane" – furniture sales, electrical contracting, or IT – should take ownership. The post argues that this "lane-keeping" mentality can hinder innovation and create a fragmented experience for clients. Instead, it advocates for collaborative selling and cross-disciplinary partnerships, where professionals from different fields work together to offer comprehensive solutions. By embracing the overlap between disciplines, businesses can unlock the full potential of these innovative products and better serve their clients in the evolving landscape of workplace design.

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