logo redirect pin user minus plus fax mobile-phone office-phone data envelope globe outlook retail close line-arrow-down solid-triangle-down facebook globe2 google hamburger line-arrow-left solid-triangle-left linkedin wechat play-btn line-arrow-right arrow-right solid-triangle-right search twitter line-arrow-up solid-triangle-up calendar globe-americas globe-apac globe-emea external-link music picture paper pictures play gallery download rss-feed vcard account-loading collection external-link2 internal-link share-link icon-close2
Mainland China
  • Global
  • United States
  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Baltics
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Egypt
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Korea
  • Kuwait
  • Latin America
  • Luxembourg
  • Mainland China
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Morocco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Panama
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • South Eastern Europe
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
English
  • English
  • 简体中文
Log In
  • Global Intranet
  • myCBRE
  • Services
    • Business Line
      • Advisory & Transaction Services
      • Capital Markets
      • Global Workplace Solutions
      • Investment Management (CBRE Global Investors)
      • Property Management
      • Valuation & Advisory Services
    • Industries & Specialties
      • Office
      • Industrial & Logistics
      • Retail
      • Residential
      • Urban Development
      • Flexible Workspace
    • Services for Investors
      • Consulting
      • Host
      • International Residential Projects
      • Investment Accounting & Reporting Solutions
      • Leasing & Advisory
      • Valuation & Advisory
    • Services for Occupiers
      • Enterprise Facilities Management
      • Host
      • Leasing & Advisory
      • Occupier Consulting
      • Portfolio Services
      • Project Management
      • Transaction Management
      • Valuation & Advisory
      • Workplace
  • Research & Reports
    • About Research
      China Research Archives
      Asia Pacific Research
      Global Research Gateway
      Global Research Gateway Support
  • People & Offices
    • Leadership Team
  • About CBRE
    • Case Studies
      Coporate Information
      Corporate Responsibility
      Media Center
      Asia Media Centre
      Investor Relations
      Careers

Previous

Press Release
China is 4th Largest Source of Cross-Border Capital in Global CRE

Next

Press Release
Global Urban Photogrpahy Competition Reveals 2015 Winners
  • About CBRE
  • Media Centre
  • China’s Workspace Shrinks by 50% Over The Past Decade; May Impair Staff Productivity and Performance

China’s Workspace Shrinks by 50% Over The Past Decade; May Impair Staff Productivity and Performance

October 21, 2015
  • Email
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share

In China, Space Per Workstation Now is Only Half That of Europe and US

October 21, 2015, Shanghai – Organizations are now under pressure to drive down costs by increasing their workplace ‘static density’—the space per sq. ft. per workstation. In many parts of Asia, this has already reached a point where further reductions will impact productivity, performance and retention. CBRE’s latest report, Space Utilization: The Next Frontier, looks into how companies can use workplace density and utilization data to drive efficiency and business performance.

In mainland China and Hong Kong, workplace density has increased sharply by 50% over the past decade, and space per workstation has shrunk from 100 sq. ft. per desk to 50-60 sq. ft. per desk. This figure is nearly half that of Europe and the US, where density norms are around 150-200 sq. ft. per desk. Elsewhere, in Australia and New Zealand, standards also remain more generous at around 90-150sq. ft. per desk.

Less space in the workplace implies reductions in shared collaborative and isolated work settings, and more generally cramped space—impacting teamwork, decision making and ability to focus. CBRE regards below 60 sq. ft. per desk as a clear productivity danger zone; reducing space below this level places staff productivity, performance and retention at risk. Tight desk space leads to lack of privacy, increased levels of noise and potential for distraction from neighbors, the negative impacts of which can lead to decreased productivity.

In line with higher workplace static densities, the study also shows that the average utilization in mainland China and Hong Kong, at 73% on average, is comparatively higher than other markets.  In other words, the percentage of unutilized workspace in China averages 27% while the global average is 40%.  CBRE surveys have found that the higher utilization rate in China is likely due to cultural working practices such as presenteeism (the practice of persistently working longer hours due to the feeling that being seen in the office by your manager is essential for career progression) and also the absence of alternative workspace options such as collaboration areas and meeting rooms.


“The latent underutilized space (roughly 20%) of total utilization in China, if utilized more effectively and dynamically, can translate to cost savings of US$240,000 (approximately RMB 1.5 million) per annum for a business of around 200 employees. Besides the cost savings, companies can also boost space efficiency and business performance by using the space more effectively. We propose organizations to implement new and dynamic ways of working, including more focused and more collaborative settings that are easily accessible through enhanced employee mobility within the workplace. Workplaces are expected to go through significant transformational changes over the next 15 years. Increasingly, employees, particularly younger generations, are looking to dynamic and collaborative work environments that create a strong sense of happiness and fulfillment in what they do at work,” comments Helmut Weih, Executive Director, Global Workplace Solutions, CBRE China.

In July 2015, CBRE’s Chengdu office completed an innovative fit-out leveraging the company’s industry-leading strategy for future workplaces. As the first initiative of its kind across CBRE’s China business network, the 535 sq. m new office featuring over 10 different work settings with 51 workstations is a clear example of how businesses can encourage collaboration within work environments by cost-effectively responding to new trends in workplace transformation.

“Benchmarking metrics such as workplace density and space utilization are becoming more critical in helping corporate occupiers make informed workplace and real estate decisions, and manage their real estate as a strategic asset. Corporate occupiers must develop a complete understanding of how their people work, and what their organizational objectives and imperatives are. After all, aligning these two fundamental perspectives is above everything else for companies to plan and implement a cost-effective workplace strategy,” Helmut Weih concluded.

​​​​​​​​


​​​​

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (in terms of 2014 revenue). The Company has more than 70,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 400 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.​

​​

Media Contacts

Jamie-Feng_326x248
Jamie Feng
Manager
China
Marketing & Communications
+86 21 2401 1272
+86 139 1785 0201
  • Corporate Information
  • Corporate Responsibility
  • Case Studies
  • Media Centre
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • People & Offices
  • Leadership Team
  • Investor Relations
  • Contact Us
  • Global Web Privacy and Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Wechat
  • Weibo