Using AI to Turbo Charge Human-Centric Real Estate

Antony Slumbers & Midjourney

We are all aware of just how much Covid has transformed our collective attitudes towards work and the office. Four years after the start of Covid managers around the world are still struggling with how to assimilate into their operating procedures the desire amongst the vast majority of employees to not give up what they learnt was possible during the pandemic. That being in the office five days a week was absolutely not necessary, and that the costs and constraints around commuting into a workplace are self imposed and injurious to a better way of working and living.

This is still playing out, but the end point has been inevitable for years. Post Covid was never going to be a resumption of life pre Covid. We’ve all learnt too much.

We are now in the era of human-centric real estate. Unless the spaces and places we are being asked to spend our time are conducive to enabling people to be happy, healthy and productive they will increasingly become obsolete. They will no longer have any sort of product/market fit. Indeed we are already seeing this in the market - pitiful occupancy and utilisation levels are directly correlated to having lost any sort of human utility.

All of this is a known known. What is far less understood is just how much AI is going to:

1. Enable the creation of human-centric spaces and places.

2. Make these types of spaces even more important, as the ‘work we do’ is fundamentally reconfigured due to technological change.

3. Provide the tools for either existing companies, or new entrants, to be dramatically more productive than is the norm today.

In the following videos I dive deep into these rabbit holes and provide frameworks for how to utilise AI to create great human-centric real estate, how to rethink your own products and services and their delivery, and how to create a company culture appropriate to this new world.

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In Part 1 of this video series I am going to introduce the subject, Define Human-Centric Real Estate, and explain why we need to care.

In Part 2 of this video series I am going explain what AI can actually do to impact the six pillars of human centric real estate, and what are the the direct and indirect financial benefits of this approach?

In Part 3 of this video series I am going to look at how we’d approach this topic if we were starting from scratch, and how productive that could make us.

And finally in Part 4 of this video series I am going to analyse the culture of a  human-centric company, and wrap up everything in a set of conclusions.

Shaping the AI Economy: A Holistic Approach Beyond Zero-Sum Thinking

There is much commentary that AI is likely to enable fewer people to generate a given amount of economic output and therefore large numbers of people are going to be redundant, leading to a bifurcated, deeply unequal world, where a few do exceptionally well whilst the rest see their skills commoditised and downgraded in value.

Is this right?

I think not, because it overlooks the inherently dynamic nature of economies, particularly in response to transformative technologies. It harks back to the late 19th century lump of labor fallacy which considered there only to be a finite amount of work within an economy that can be distributed to create more or fewer jobs. That proved wrong then, and I hope and suspect it will prove wrong in the future.

How does the dynamic nature of economies play out?

In six ways:

1. Productivity Gains and Income Redistribution:

Increased Corporate Profits: AI-driven productivity improvements can lead to increased profits for businesses. Ideally, a portion of these profits can be redistributed to workers in the form of higher wages or reinvested into the business to stimulate further growth.

Consumer Spending: Higher incomes for workers can lead to increased consumer spending, which in turn stimulates demand across various sectors of the economy, creating a multiplier effect.

2. Cost Reduction and Price Elasticity:

Lower Production Costs: AI can significantly reduce production costs, leading to lower prices for goods and services.

Increased Demand: Lower prices often lead to increased demand (price elasticity). This increased demand can stimulate the need for more diverse services and products, leading to new job opportunities.

3. Investment in Innovation and R&D:

Reinvestment of Profits: The savings and profits garnered from AI integration can be reinvested into research and development, sparking innovation and the development of new products and industries.

Job Creation in New Sectors: This innovation can lead to the creation of entirely new sectors, which require human capital, thus generating new job opportunities.

4. Shift Toward High-Value Jobs:

Upgrading Skill Sets: As AI takes over routine tasks, there is a shift in the job market towards more complex and high-value tasks that require human input, such as strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.

Higher Value-Add per Employee: This shift can increase the value added per employee, leading to overall economic growth.

5. Global Economic Integration:

Opening New Markets: AI can break down barriers to entering global markets, allowing businesses to expand their reach and tap into new customer bases.

Global Supply Chains and Trade: Enhanced global integration can lead to more efficient supply chains and increased trade, boosting global economic activity.

6. Secondary Markets and Induced Industries:

Support and Maintenance of AI Systems: The growth in AI technology creates secondary markets, including the need for maintenance, updates, and support for these systems.

Training and Education: As AI evolves, so does the need for ongoing training and education, which itself becomes a significant sector.

So the causation of higher productivity due to AI leading inexorably to fewer jobs is not real. That does not mean it is not possible. The above IS very likely to occur but it does need to do so alongside a wide range of education and regulatory measures.

For example education systems must foster lifelong learning, teaching not just technical skills but also how to adapt, learn, and grow continuously. Adaptability is the key to thriving in an AI-driven economy, so we need to emphasise soft skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence, which become as crucial as imparting technical know-how.

As AI transforms industries, the need for re-skilling and up-skilling becomes paramount. We’ll need tailored educational programs that can help workers transition from declining sectors to emerging fields. And partnerships between educational institutions, governments, and businesses to identify skill gaps and develop targeted training programs.

And in terms of regulatory measures we’ll need comprehensive policies to support workers displaced by AI. These must include not just unemployment benefits but also access to retraining programs and job placement services. And these measures have to be proactive, anticipating changes in the labor market rather than reacting to them.

Proactive fiscal and regulatory policies can help in redistributing the gains from AI, ensuring that the benefits are widely shared across the economy. Government investment in public goods, infrastructure, and education can further stimulate economic growth.

Fostering innovation and sector development can be catalysed by governments that play a proactive role in nurturing new technology sectors through incentives, research funding, and infrastructure support. The approach has to encourage economic diversification, without which creating new job opportunities and industries will be difficult.

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Support is an imperative. We have to encourage entrepreneurship, especially in AI-enabled sectors that can drive job creation. Support can come in the form of tax incentives, grants, and access to resources. Small businesses are often more agile than larger ones and more likely to be incubators for innovative uses of AI.

Globally we need to work hard at generating collaboration and setting universal standards. AI’s impact transcends borders so international collaboration on standards, ethical guidelines, and best practices are required to create a more cohesive and responsible global approach to AI integration.

And finally regarding the role of governments we need to vastly increase public awareness and involvement in reshaping economies. Educating the public about AI’s potential and challenges is vital to ensure (hopefully) a well-informed citizenry. Public involvement in discussions around AI ‘should’ help in democratising its development and application.

And then of course we also need to think about the actions and behaviour of company management. The labour economist David Autor has written that "AI Could Help Rebuild Middle-Class Jobs” but “the key question to ask is for whom is AI a substitute and for whom is it a complement” and “We Have a Real Design Choice About How We Deploy AI”.

How companies behave, and how we as societies let them behave, is a critical factor in determining all of our futures.

All of them above has to be taken seriously. Our future is not pre-wired. We do have a lot of agency, and how AI integrates or dominates our lives is still largely up to us.

All of which is very tricky for the real estate industry. Just how many jobs are there going to be, what will people be doing, and where and what real estate are they going to need? Every answer depends on how much of the above occurs. And how.

If you see our futures determined by an AI mediated world that will inevitably lead to a society where, to quote Thucydides ‘The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.’ then the amount of change will be immense, and any project you start today will very much have to pander to the ‘Strong’. The ‘weak’ will have to take what they are given.

Which feels very dystopian to me, even as I am aware many people, especially the more libertarian Silicon Valley types, see this absolutely as where we are going.

I see two other options. First, we do follow the guidance above and build a much bigger pie, with a piece for everyone. Or we either don’t try this, or it turns out that AI is going to take most of the pie regardless of its size, in which case we need to be thinking of a much more distributive, egalitarian, society where the few do not get to keep their massive gains, but they are spread far and wide.

Either way, the only guarantee is that big things are afoot, the next decade is going to be transformational, and that we really must hope for large doses of wise leadership across the globe.

And that last sentence worries the hell out of me!

Let the New Cycle Begin

There is, I think, a rather discombobulating paradox about data, in real estate.

On the one hand, so much of what is possible with modern technologies is impossible without well ordered, if not necessarily structured, data.

You simply cannot play the game without it. Without data you are effectively disenfranchised, with little to offer, and no strings to pull.

However, once you are fully enfranchised, with your data ducks all neatly arranged in a row, you need to rise above and beyond data in order to do anything really meaningful.

What really matters is qualitative. Quantitative data only gets you to base camp. It’s the qualitative that opens up the summit.

And yes, there is qualitative data, but it’s of a different character to quantitative, and mostly treated as ancillary by ‘excel jockeys’. Soft and fluffy versus hard and real.

For decades real estate has been about the quantitative, the inputs to financial models to divvy up the rankings of financial assets. Just a numbers game. Recently I heard it said that the most technologically advanced actors in real estate are those furthest away from the actual, physical real estate. When one can abstract out the physical to purely financial, data and technology is all you need.

And that has been where the most money resides. When real estate is but a financial instrument it’ll follow that the real estate is not what matters.

But when real estate becomes more about ‘social infrastructure’, as memorably termed by Gareth Lewis and the team behind this years PwC ‘Emerging Trends in Real Estate’ report, the qualitative moves to the fore. What matters when its effectiveness as a financial asset is dependant on messy, complicated, nuanced and eternally in flux human-centric variables?

Data does matter. Critically so. But it is very much necessary but not sufficient. Those financial returns will not emerge by power driving excel like in ‘the good old days’.

Layer upon layer of design, imagination, empathy, critical thinking, vision, humanity and countless other qualitatively nurturing variables are now required in the mix.

The office market is exhibit number 1. The most beaten into submission by excel real estate asset class. Sheet upon sheet of macros determining precision investing and analytical rigour.  Home to the very best ‘numbers guys’ (mostly).

Which all looked so professional, authoritative and grown up. Returns guaranteed, the future mapped.

Right up until Covid demonstrated to the individual occupiers of these spaces (hitherto absolutely NOT the customer) that they really did not NEED them anymore. At least in anything like the quantity or duration that they did before.

And so they sit, under occupied and under utilised. Steaming elephants in the room. Slayers of spreadsheets. Every professional, authoritative and grown up analysis eviscerated.

Or at least that is the reality, despite being generally skirted around. 3 years of pretence that the world has not changed goes on.

And will do.

Until the penny drops. That real estate as financial instrument is a thing of the past.

When your customers are users, not financiers, and when for financiers to get what they want, the customer has to first be satisfied, the entire structure, character, dynamic and incentives of real estate needs to change. The existing ‘immune system’ has to be overwhelmed and a new order installed.

The leopard has to change its spots.

Easy? No.

Inevitable? Absolutely!

Let the new cycle begin.

Strive to be extraordinary

'Computers are useless

They can only give you answers'

Pablo Picasso, 1968

This has been a constant in my talks about technology and real estate for years.

First, because it is true and secondly to placate real estate people, who are obsessed with the idea that ‘we are a people business’.

But today, it is even more true (from ‘truthiness’ to ‘truth’) and whilst real estate is still a people business that is no longer sufficient.

In 1968 Picasso, indeed just about everyone, could ignore computers. They were not, as they are now, an integral, pervasive part of life.

Today, most people would give up just about anything before they gave up their smartphones. Genuinely, we find it hard to live without them. For good reason - they are extraordinarily useful, in so very many ways.

But his point - they can only give us answers - is becoming increasingly pertinent.

We are approaching the stage where ‘they’ don’t need much from us.

For example, prompted with just the dumbest few words, Microsoft, Google or Linkedin will craft a passable email on our behalf. Or a tweet, or X, or post.

They will be ok. Probably as good, or better, than much of the bilge one encounters on social media. But ….. sans humanity, that’s as good as it will get.

The average bar will undoubtedly be raised. Literacy levels will improve. The Overton window of acceptable dialogue will be moved.

But … as Picasso well knew, any old fool could give an answer, or paint a picture, or craft a sculpture.

The important thing was who could ask a great question. Or conceive a Guernica, or sculpt a Bull’s Head?

And we need to think like this today. It is going to become far too easy to be better versions of ourselves, aided and abetted by extraordinary technology whereas what we really should be striving for is to be extraordinary ourselves.

We should be thinking of nothing but great questions. Deeper, broader, more profound questions. Questions that ‘make a dent in the universe’ as Steve Jobs famously said. Questions that lead to a better place. Questions that improve the lot of mankind. Questions to which the answer is better, faster, cheaper. Questions that matter.

We are moving to a world (in some important ways, but by no means all) where abundance is the default. Where we have abundant words, that largely make sense, are largely coherent and largely harmless. But in such a world we need to push for much more. We need to push for greatness. For being far better in everything than we are now. For raising the average bar to a place unimaginable a generation ago.

New technologies, especially related to the broad church that is AI, are monumental enablers. But for good and ill. They could enable outcomes that trash the planet or save the planet. That venerate the few but disregard the many. That promulgate a world foreseen in 1919 by WB Yeats where:

‘The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity.’

Using Generative AI in the Flex Market

Here is an example of how one can use Generative AI as a sparing partner and 'idea prompter' within the flex industry.

Using a collection of images of one of the spaces created and run by HNK workspaces I asked ChatGPT a series of questions about them. Covering quality, customer personas, marketing strategies and investor framing.

This is a good example of how proficient LLMs (Large Language Models) are at creative tasks. When one is not looking for an objectively and verifiably 'right' answer this technology can act as 'infinite interns' that one can send off to do all manner of tasks, and come back with outputs that one can then apply one's critical thinking and judgement to.

In this case ChatGPT provides much immediately interesting commentary but also exposes countless rabbit holes that one could dive down into.

So..... first I gave it some images to 'look' at.

Separately I asked ChatGPT: 'You are a flex office space specialist. Please provide me with a set of criteria for judging whether a space will help enable customers to be happy healthy and productive.'

Alongside the images I asked: '’You are an office market specialist.

Here are a number of images of a particular flex office space.

I would like you to judge whether, against the criteria I include below, they show a space that should enable a ‘knowledge’ worker to be happy, healthy and productive if they were to work from there.

Criteria are:

• Natural Lighting: Ample natural light can boost mood, reduce eyestrain, and improve overall well-being.

• Air Quality: Good ventilation and clean air can reduce fatigue and improve concentration.

• Ergonomic Furniture: Desks and chairs that can be adjusted to individual needs can prevent physical discomfort and long-term health issues.

• Acoustic Design: Soundproofing or noise-cancelling solutions can prevent distractions and ensure privacy when needed.

• Space Layout: A mix of open spaces for collaboration and private areas for focused work can cater to various tasks and work styles.

• Amenities: Features like a kitchenette, coffee station, and breakout zones can offer relaxation and foster a sense of community.

• Greenery: Incorporating plants can enhance air quality, reduce stress, and create a more inviting environment.

• Technology: Reliable high-speed internet, modern conferencing tools, and other tech amenities are crucial for productivity.

• Safety and Hygiene: In today's context, regular sanitization, availability of sanitizers, and space design that allows for social distancing are important.

• Flexibility: The ability to reconfigure spaces based on evolving needs can help businesses adapt and grow.

• Accessibility: The space should be accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Features like ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms are essential.

• Location: Proximity to public transport, eateries, and other essential services can make the space more attractive and convenient for users.’ Do not answer until I tell you all images have been uploaded.'

Some of these could not be discerned from the images but I added them all in to provide context and constraints to the model.

ChatGPT replied:

The interior spaces you've shared are visually compelling. The common theme I'm observing is the effective use of natural elements and patterns in a modern setting. Here's a breakdown of the design elements:

• Natural Elements: The integration of plants, especially in the second picture, adds a fresh and calming effect. Greenery can increase comfort and productivity in office spaces. The choice of wood, especially in its warm tones, also lends a natural and inviting touch.

• Geometry and Patterns: The repeated use of geometric shapes, like circles in the wall designs and zigzag patterns on the floors, creates a sense of rhythm. This not only adds visual interest but can also help guide movement and flow within the space.

• Color Palette: There's a wonderful blend of neutral colors with pops of more vibrant shades like the terracotta and green. It gives the spaces a balanced, harmonious feel while preventing them from looking monotonous.

• Functional Spaces: The areas appear well-segmented, creating dedicated spaces for collaboration, relaxation, and focused work. It's especially essential in a corporate environment to cater to various work needs.

• Lighting: The rooms are well-lit, combining natural light with modern light fixtures. Proper lighting is crucial not just for functionality but also to set the mood and highlight design elements.

• Furniture: The furniture choices seem ergonomic and modern, complementing the overall aesthetic. The mix of communal tables and individual seating areas promotes both teamwork and individual work.

Overall, these designs strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality, making them suitable for creating a productive and pleasing environment. If you're looking for inspiration or considering this style for a project, these images certainly offer a lot of intriguing ideas. Would you like more insights or have specific questions about these designs?

To which I answered yes please ... so:

Let's delve deeper into each element to gain a more comprehensive understanding:

Natural Elements:

• Plants: Incorporating indoor plants isn't just a design trend; it has health benefits too. Plants can improve indoor air quality by filtering out pollutants and releasing oxygen. They also reduce stress, enhance creativity, and increase overall well-being. The choice of larger plants can act as natural dividers in open spaces, subtly segmenting areas without making them feel confined.

• Wood: Wood has a timeless quality to it. It can evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and connection to nature. Using wood, especially in its raw or minimally processed form, adds texture and depth to a space. Different grains and tones of wood can either contrast or complement each other, offering a vast palette to work with.

Geometry and Patterns:

• Spaces that use repeating patterns, whether on walls, floors, or ceilings, engage our eyes and create visual pathways. This can lead visitors naturally through a space. It's also psychologically stimulating; our brains are wired to recognize and make sense of patterns.

• Patterns, like the zigzag on the floor, can create optical illusions, making a space appear larger or more dynamic. They also add layers to the design, making it multidimensional.

Color Palette:

• Neutral colors serve as a canvas, allowing other elements to stand out. They also evoke feelings of calmness and professionalism, suitable for corporate settings.

• Pops of color, when used sparingly, can highlight specific areas or pieces, such as a meeting zone or a unique piece of furniture. The terracotta and green in the images add vibrancy without being overpowering.

Functional Spaces:

• Modern workplaces recognize the need for diverse spaces: areas for collaboration, quiet zones for focus, and casual spaces for relaxation. By visually and spatially segmenting these zones, users can quickly identify the intended use of each area, enhancing their experience and efficiency.

• Moveable partitions, like the wooden screens, offer flexibility, allowing spaces to be reconfigured based on needs.

Lighting:

• A combination of natural and artificial lighting is essential. Natural light has been shown to improve productivity and well-being. Large windows or strategically placed skylights can illuminate spaces naturally.

• Modern light fixtures, like the pendant lights in the images, serve dual purposes: they provide adequate lighting and act as design elements, contributing to the room's aesthetic.

Furniture:

• Furniture choices reflect the intended use of a space. Communal tables foster collaboration and open discussion, while individual seating or cubicles cater to focused work.

• Ergonomic furniture, which supports the user's body and reduces strain, is crucial in a workspace. It enhances comfort and can even boost productivity.

In conclusion, these designs masterfully combine form and function. The attention to detail, from the choice of materials to the layout, shows an understanding of both aesthetic appeal and the practical needs of a workspace. It's a harmonious blend of nature-inspired elements with modern design principles.

All good so far, for HNK workspaces

I went on; Do you think these spaces would appeal to a particular 'type' of potential customer. Either in terms of industry, job type, or personal characteristics. Can you provide five personas of people (or companies) you think this space would suit?

The Model answered:

Given the aesthetics and functional design elements present in these spaces, they appear to appeal to modern, forward-thinking individuals or companies that value both creativity and efficiency. Here are five personas to illustrate potential users:

• The Tech Startup CEO, "Nina": Industry: Technology & Software Development

• Characteristics: Young, innovative, and values collaboration. Nina is always looking for the latest technology and design trends to incorporate into her workspace to inspire her team.

• Needs: A flexible workspace that can accommodate rapid growth, brainstorming sessions, and a mix of focused and collaborative work.

• The Independent Consultant, "Raj": Industry: Business & Strategy Consulting

• Characteristics: Travels often, meets various clients, and requires a professional yet welcoming space to conduct meetings.

• Needs: High-quality video conferencing facilities, a range of meeting spaces from casual to formal, and a space that leaves a positive impression on clients.

• The Creative Agency Founder, "Isabella": Industry: Advertising, Marketing, or Design

• Characteristics: Values creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and a vibrant workspace that mirrors the agency's dynamic nature.

• Needs: Spaces that foster brainstorming, areas to showcase work and prototypes, and informal zones for team bonding.

• The GreenTech Entrepreneur, "Leo": Industry: Sustainable Technology or Environmental Solutions

• Characteristics: Environmentally conscious, prioritizes sustainability in business decisions, and prefers a workspace that aligns with these values.

• Needs: A space that uses sustainable materials, incorporates natural elements, and flexible workspaces to host workshops or product demos.

• The Wellness Brand, "Serenity Co.": Industry: Health, Wellness, and Lifestyle

• Characteristics: A company that promotes work-life balance, mindfulness, and holistic well-being. The brand's identity revolves around calm, rejuvenation, and natural elements.

• Needs: Spaces for group meditation or yoga sessions, calming design elements, and meeting spaces that feel more like living rooms for client consultations.

In essence, these spaces would best suit industries or individuals that lean towards modernity, value design, and see their workspace as an extension of their brand or personal ethos. The balance of functionality and design caters to both the practical and aesthetic needs of such personas.

But how should we market to these 'persona'?

Can you provide a suggested series of marketing messages (please specify which channel they best suit) the owner could build on to curate a six month marketing campaign?

Here's a series of marketing messages tailored for various channels to appeal to the aforementioned personas over a span of six months:

Month 1: Introduction & Awareness

• Website/Blog: "Welcome to the Future of Workspace: Where Creativity Meets Efficiency!”

• Social Media (Instagram, Facebook): "Sneak peek into the workspace of tomorrow! 🚀🌱 #WorkspaceEvolution" (Accompanied by vibrant photos of the spaces.)

• Email Newsletter: "Discover the Perfect Balance: Elegance, Efficiency, and Environment in Our New Workspace.”

Month 2: Highlighting Unique Features

• Website/Blog: "The Science Behind Our Sustainable Design.”

• Social Media (Twitter, LinkedIn): "Did you know? Our workspaces are crafted from eco-friendly materials. Work sustainably with us! 🌿#GreenWorkspace”

• Email Newsletter: "Exclusive Tour: Dive Deep into Our Unique Features and Amenities.”

Month 3: Testimonials & Reviews

• Website/Blog: "Hear What Our Esteemed Members Have to Say About Their Experience!”

• Social Media (Instagram Stories, Facebook Stories): Video snippets of members sharing their favorite part about the workspace.

• Email Newsletter: "Success Stories: How Our Workspace Transformed Businesses.”

Month 4: Promotions & Offers

• Website/Blog: "Limited Time Offer: Book Now and Get 10% Off Your First 3 Months!”

• Social Media (Twitter, Instagram): "Early bird gets the best spot! 🐦 Book now and enjoy our special introductory offer. #WorkspaceDeals”

• Email Newsletter: "Exclusive Offer for Our Loyal Subscribers: Unlock Your Discount Code Inside!”

Month 5: Community & Collaboration

• Website/Blog: "Building a Community: The Heartbeat of Our Workspace.”

• Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook): Photos from events, workshops, or gatherings with captions like "Collaboration in action! Join our thriving community. #TogetherWeGrow”

• Email Newsletter: "Upcoming Events: Connect, Collaborate, and Create with Like-minded Professionals.”

Month 6: Future Vision & Expansion Plans

• Website/Blog: "Charting the Course: Our Vision for the Next 5 Years."

• Social Media (Twitter, Instagram): "We're not stopping here. Exciting expansions on the horizon! 🌅 Stay tuned. #FutureOfWork”

• Email Newsletter: "Be Part of Our Journey: Here's What's Coming Next.”

For Paid Advertising (suitable anytime within the 6 months):

• Google Ads: "Discover the Perfect Workspace - Where Design Meets Productivity.”

• Instagram/Facebook Ads: Carousel of workspace photos with the caption: "Your Ideal Workspace Awaits. Book a Tour Today!”

By diversifying the messages and tailoring them to different channels, the owner can create a holistic campaign that builds awareness, fosters community, and drives conversions over time.

So now we have a plan!

Lastly I wanted to encapsulate all this 'good stuff' into a message for current and prospective investors. So I asked:

Finally, can you please write a one page analysis for current and potential investors into the real estate company behind this space, that provides robust arguments for why spaces like this are a competitive advantage in the years ahead where hybrid and distributed working is going to be a core feature of the commercial real estate market?

And got back:

Here's a one-page analysis tailored for current and potential investors:

Analysis for Investors: The Competitive Edge of Sustainable and Aesthetic Workspaces in the Evolving Commercial Real Estate Market

Introduction: In an era where the nature of work is undergoing a monumental shift towards hybrid and distributed models, the traditional paradigm of commercial real estate is being challenged. The value proposition of a workspace is no longer just about location or size; it's about the experience, adaptability, and alignment with evolving work cultures.

Sustainability: A Non-Negotiable Asset

• Environmental Responsibility: Today's top talent and businesses prioritize eco-friendliness. Workspaces that incorporate green designs not only reduce their carbon footprint but also resonate with environmentally-conscious stakeholders.

• Cost Efficiency: Sustainable designs often result in reduced energy and water consumption, translating into long-term cost savings and increased property value.

Adaptability: Meeting the Needs of Hybrid Work

• Flexibility: Spaces that cater to both remote and in-person work styles are in demand. Modular designs that can easily be reshaped based on tenant needs will have a competitive edge.

• Tech-Integration: The future is digital. Properties that seamlessly integrate with the latest technology (smart lighting, efficient HVAC systems, teleconferencing facilities) cater to the modern workforce's expectations.

Aesthetics and Experience: Beyond Just a 'Space'

• Wellness and Productivity: Aesthetic environments have been linked to increased well-being and productivity. A workspace that offers a harmonious blend of form and function will be a magnet for top-tier businesses and professionals.

• Community Building: More than a place to work, modern professionals seek spaces that offer networking and collaborative opportunities. Properties that champion this sense of community will have higher retention and attraction rates.

Conclusion: The real estate company's foresight in developing such innovative spaces places it at the vanguard of the commercial real estate market's future. By embracing sustainability, adaptability, and a strong emphasis on user experience, the firm is not just offering properties but holistic environments that cater to the future of work. Investing in such a forward-thinking approach not only ensures resilience in a changing market landscape but also positions the company as a leader in setting industry standards.

And that's enough for now. Good isn't it? Perfect? No. A Final Product? No

But way better than a first draft, or a blank page.

For any particular circumstance one could steer the Q&A accordingly. and one could dive into one of those rabbit holes and ask for more detail, clarification, action plans, counter arguments ..... whatever.

Which is the point. The technology will not tire. It will respond to whatever you throw at it. And the more you apply the mantra of 'clarity, context, constraints' the better the debate will be.

The bar is being raised. You can raise it higher.