Restacking the Workplace: Maximizing ROI and Employee Well-Being

The term “restack” has been around a long time, but this particular CRE jargon is trending for sure – as leaseholders and corporate property owners in many cities face unprecedented rates of unused spaces.

A restack project is complicated and requires very careful planning. But when your restack project is a success, it can help organizations meet critical make-or-break goals around experience, sustainability and costs. The concept is simple – you can reorganize departments and teams so – for example – two buildings become one. Rather than two buildings meeting 30% utilization goals, one building has the potential to help an organization move closer to a 60% utilization rate.

Workplace Transformation with Restack Projects

The primary purpose of restacking an office is to ensure that teams have the space they need in the most efficient manner possible while aligning with company objectives. This includes creating more flexible seating arrangements, new ESG goals, or plans associated with downsizing and expansions.

A restack is a major undertaking, though it doesn’t have to become a major-league headache with the appropriate plans in place at the outset. Restacking projects are often connected to new business and workplace strategies that revitalize the office environment and invigorate the employees who use it. Employee empowerment, once considered an amenity, is now a priority as organizations work on making their offices worth the commute. As a result, a lot of people are talking about their restack project.

True transformation in the workplace happens when companies undertake restacking plans not only to improve space utilization but also to make the workplace more productive and collaborative while enhancing employee well-being.

Restack Project Benefits

The benefits of restacking an office are extensive, and they are often dependent on how effectively an organization uses data to drive the reconfiguration. Assuming that the project is executed for the right reasons and supported by the right data, these are commonly cited restack project outcomes:

• Reducing Departmental Siloes: Restacking can mitigate the separation of departments, especially across different floors, fostering better collaboration.
• Space Optimization: A restack project often leads to a reduction in real estate costs and contributes to a reduced carbon footprint, aligning with sustainability goals.
• Preparing for Growth: Restacking can ensure that the office is well-prepared to accommodate projected staffing numbers, making scaling up more efficient.
• Efficient Move and Request Management: This one is for your MAC pros – that’s Move, Add, and Changes (MAC) to office equipment, from IT to seating needs. The process streamlines move and request management, making it easier for employees and facility managers.

A methodical, well-planned strategy is essential for a successful restacking effort. Ensure that everyone on the team understands the overarching goals and the unique factors involved in restacking, as it differs significantly from new construction. One of the biggest challenges during a restack is business continuity. Let’s say Building A is shut down and all employees are moving to new and improved spaces in Building B. That MAC plan is extensive, and there’s a chance you’ll need to do some creative calendaring to make sure critical meetings and tasks continue.

It’s important to be aware of individual choices and preferences, as well as the need to coordinate with employees working at various hours. Communication and coordination are key to a successful restack.

Restack Project Goals: Office Rebrand

To restack an office space effectively, you have to move beyond the goal of improving utilization of space. Some people consider restacks the first step in a rebrand – a new identity for a building, property, or portfolio.

Instead of separating different teams on various floors, restacking a workspace can integrate teams and allow them to work more collaboratively. It’s important to be able to answer: “What are my building restack goals?” and “Am I prepared to let go of an existing space altogether in favor or a new or combined space?” Finally, many restack projects come with some new renovations – and it’s critical to know where your existing end users – employees, students, administrators – will work and study if one building is undergoing redesigns.

_Lambent Spaces is a SaaS platform delivering occupancy analytics to corporate and higher education space planners for data-driven decisions related to smart space management. To learn more about our solution, reach out directly to sales@lambentspaces.com_