Pilot Project
Kassel
Location
50-90 employees each
Three pilot groups
10/2023 – 05/2025
Project period
27
Work locations and workplaces
ekom21, a municipal IT service provider in Hesse, is planning to implement new working environments for its various locations. Together with combine, three pilot phases have been running since the end of 2023 to test whether and to what extent open and activity-oriented working environments can be implemented for ekom21.
The noticeable change in the world of work has highlighted the need for the company to rethink traditional working models. This is not just about flexible working hours and working from home, but rather the introduction of new organizational cultures, the promotion of flexibility and self-determination and the creation of meaningfulness in work.
In Kassel, ekom21 designed a new office space at the end of 2023 to set up a pilot project in the spirit of New Work.
In a first phase from October 2023 to May 2024, around 50 employees tested a completely new working environment. The second pilot phase with 80 employees was completed in October 2024, and the third phase with around 90 employees has already started. The aim is to test new forms of work and various desk sharing quotas in this test area and gain important insights for the future of work at ekom21. These findings will then be taken into account for a company-wide rollout.
combine supports the pilot with change and evaluation measures
The measures start with interviews and online surveys and lead to the implementation of an ambassador concept that ensures close involvement of employees.
The results report is still pending (as of December 2024), but based on experience to date, it is already clear that the new office concept has been well received and is improving collaboration.
“The findings so far are already promising,” says Björn Brede, Managing Director of the Hessian IT service provider. Matthias Drexelius and Martin Kuban, also Managing Directors of ekom21, emphasize: “We have been dealing with the structural change in work for some time now. With the pilot project in Kassel, we are gaining a lot of exciting and valuable experience.
Since the end of 2023, ekom21 has set out to explore a completely new working environment.
In addition to organizational and labor law aspects, the design of the premises of the pilot areas played a decisive role. While the previous ekom21 locations in Kassel, Giessen and Darmstadt mainly consisted of traditional office cells, the new space in Kassel has an open and inviting design.
The office space offers opportunities for interaction as well as retreats for confidential discussions and concentrated individual work. The interior design is varied and functional, with different styles ranging from soft carpets to practical floor coverings. There are classic conference rooms, cozy sofa areas and small separees for meetings.
Soundproof booths in the form of telephone booths allow for undisturbed meetings or phone calls. A variety of seating options, including club or wing chairs and stools, are adapted to suit different needs. The two modern open kitchens are the center of communication, where not only cooking takes place, but also problems are solved and ideas are exchanged.
What happens next?
combine will continue to support the project in pilot phase 3 and make adjustments to the concept based on the findings to date.
The aim of the pilot project is
- To collect and analyze ekom21-specific findings as part of a structured evaluation. The knowledge gained in this way will then be made available and further developed for the planned rollout.
- Determining the necessary structural and organizational measures as well as material equipment (e.g. design and color concept, equipment/modules, adaptation of the office concept/space utilization plan, etc.) for the rollout.
The pilot phases are expected to be completed in June 2025 with the release of a results report, which will also contain documentation of all surveys and participation measures carried out.
Services
- Office concept
- Change management
- Conceptualization of new working environments
- Needs and requirements analysis
