When Raphael Gielgen joined Vitra in 2014, workplace innovation was centered around the Silicon Valley model—open, campus-like environments designed to foster interaction and creativity. "These companies understood that workplace design is a critical resource for progress, wealth, and competition," he says. Raphael Gielgen was drawn to spaces that embodied this dynamism, from tech firms to Zaha Hadid's Pritzker Prize-winning BMW building in Leipzig. Working with visionary architects and business leaders, he found himself receiving a "daily dose of the future."
The Challenge: Adapting to a Non-Linear Economy
Despite investing in human-centric workspaces—offering yoga, quality food—Europe’s economy lags behind those of the US and Asia. “I don't think that a human centric workspace, or workspace which is dedicated to the human needs is our problem,” argues Gielgen, adding: “Our issue is that we have been asleep at the wheel and we don't understand the transformation ahead of us. We have lost five years and now everything is coming together like a clap of thunder.”
Companies have been slow to grasp the transformation underway. "We've shifted from a linear to a non-linear economy, from passive tools to AI-powered augmentation, from knowledge-based to skill-based work." Unlike factories adapting to new machines, offices assumed stability—but change is inevitable.
AI as an Enabler, Not Just Automation
Often seen as an automation tool, AI's real potential lies in augmentation. "Today's AI is like the internet in 1983—we’re only beginning to grasp its possibilities. It enhances abilities rather than replaces them," Raphael Gielgen explains. By 2030, he predicts 50% of office tasks will be automated, freeing workers for higher-value roles. "The real question is, are we ready for that freedom?"
The worst thing you can do today is design an office based on old assumptions
The New Workplace: Social Learning and Flexibility
Hybrid working patterns have created new needs for office space, which impacts the office real estate sector. Raphael Gielgen cites outdated designs, arguing that traditional models no longer fit. "We aren’t confined to departments—we’re like gaming squads, constantly shifting teams." This demands workspaces fostering social learning—high-intensity interactions driving innovation.
To support this shift, companies need "beta spaces"—workplaces that can expand, shrink, and evolve in real-time. Instead of isolating in single-tenant buildings, firms should embed themselves in ecosystems where they can collaborate with partners and competitors alike. "The worst thing you can do today is design an office based on old assumptions," Raphael Gielgen warns. "Instead, ask: What technologies will shape us in five years? How will people interact? The answers to these questions define the workspace of the future."
In the past, companies had time to prepare for change. But as we enter a 'permanent beta' phase, constant adaptation is the norm. Comparing the future of work to a hospital emergency room, Raphael Gielgen explains: "In planned surgeries, doctors know exactly what to expect. In the ER, they don’t. The future of work is the ER—we have no idea what’s coming next, and we have to be ready for anything."
The Road Ahead
Workplace transformation is not just about design—it’s about mindset. As AI, automation, and new work models reshape industries, those who can embrace uncertainty and continuous learning will thrive. Raphael Gielgen’s message is clear: the future of work belongs to those who dare to rethink everything.
Raphael Gielgen will deliver a workshop with The New Work Academy in autumn 2025.
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