Why interior design today must do more than provide square meters

The world of work is changing – and with it the requirements for places where people come together, work and exchange ideas. The P5 Real Estate Congress on June 13, 2025 in Frankfurt provided the perfect setting to talk about precisely this. Satellite Office was represented with a clear stance and many years of expertise. The focus was on the question of how work environments need to be designed today in order to offer more than just functionality.

Our founder and CEO Anita Gödiker summed up a central message on the Main Stage:
“Spaces should not only fill – they should connect.”

Always on – and still alone?

Hybrid working brings a lot of freedom. At the same time, studies show alarming developments:
– 70% of employees in hybrid models feel socially isolated
– 1 in 5 people feel permanently lonely according to the Microsoft Work Trend Index

This has a noticeable effect on motivation, loyalty and innovative strength. Workplaces that merely fulfill technological requirements fall short. What counts today is the social quality of the environment – real encounters, exchanges and a sense of belonging.

Taking ESG further: Social impact through spatial concepts

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, Governance – i.e. ecological, social and corporate responsibility. While environmental and governance aspects have long been considered in real estate development, the social factor is rapidly gaining in importance: how do spaces influence togetherness, mental health and a sense of belonging?

Satellite Office takes this responsibility into account – with deliberately composed micro-community zones, open lounges, acoustically protected retreat areas and curated formats that enable targeted networking. It’s not about square meters – it’s about impact.

Curated communities with depth

For over 28 years, Satellite Office has stood for high-quality, consciously developed workspaces. Whether in listed old buildings or modern new buildings – our philosophy remains the same: to create places that inspire.

With pureSilent® we combine acoustic excellence, aesthetic clarity and a holistic sense of space – from light and colors to materials and air quality to selected food & beverage.

Formats such as pureCom® specifically strengthen togetherness – on a small scale, with hand-picked guests, around topics that move people. This creates genuine networking – not by chance, but through deliberately initiated community spaces with depth.

5 impulses for the Workspace Next Level

Satellite Office’s contribution provides a clear orientation framework for developers, planners and investors:

1. Thinking spaces not just functionally, but socially
2. Expand ESG goals to include human impact
3. Involve Satellite Office as a curating partner at an early stage
4. Integrative planning of community management
5. Emotionally charging work environments – with real added value

Places with attitude instead of off-the-peg spaces

The congress made it clear that the real estate industry is beginning to rethink. What is being sought are not standardized square meter offers, but working environments with identity. Satellite Office brings more than experience to the table – we bring attitude.

Or as Anita Gödiker put it:
“We don’t build desks. We design relationships.”