In new work models, flexibility has become the central axis. The office is no longer a place of mandatory presence, but a dynamic environment that must adapt to new expectations and ways of working. Presence is flexible (with a balance between individual freedom and defined attendance patterns), desks are shared (the number of workstations per person varies based on actual usage habits), collaborative spaces are growing (the office is being redefined as a place for meeting, exchange, and co-creation), and there is an elastic demand for resources (desks, meeting rooms, meals, etc.) that varies depending on multiple factors such as the day, the team, or specific events.
In this context of constant transformation, the concept of the liquid office emerges: an adaptable, agile, and people-centered work environment that continuously responds to the changing needs of employees.
In a liquid office:
-
There are no fixed workstations: spaces are reorganized based on actual use.
-
Space is conceived as a living resource, constantly evolving with team activity.
-
The employee experience is prioritized, combining areas for collaboration, focus, and social interaction.
-
Technology plays a key role, enabling the measurement, analysis, and optimization of every square meter.
-
It is not about static design, but ongoing management based on intelligent data and real behavioral observation.
The liquid office is not a trend: it is the structural response to a work environment that demands adaptability, efficiency, and human connection.
In this context, traditional estimation methods — based on static ratios or calendars — are insufficient to capture the elastic and fragmented nature of space usage. To truly understand and anticipate demand, we must adopt more dynamic approaches, integrating real-time data and enabling segmentation by behavior patterns.
The Challenge of Measuring Occupancy: A Practical Example
Let’s imagine a floor with:
-
48 desks
-
4 meeting rooms
-
3 collaborative tables
-
3 informal spaces
We want to know how many people use these spaces and how they use them. There are several ways to measure occupancy:
1. Optical Counting
We use direct observation (people counting manually) or optical technology (sensors). This gives us a snapshot of space usage at specific moments. If there are 46 people on the floor and we count 48 desks, we might say occupancy is 96%.
But this measurement has limitations: we’re counting people, not behaviors.
How many are actually working there?
How many are just passing through?
2. Measurement via Devices Connected to WiFi
The WiFi network can detect connected devices and estimate occupancy 24/7, without the need for sensors or additional investment. It is agile and scalable, but has some caveats: it may count multiple devices belonging to the same person (e.g., phone, laptop) and often includes people from other floors whose signal reaches the area.
In our example, the WiFi network detects 53 devices. It seems like occupancy is at 110%, when in reality, there may be fewer actual people working in that space.
