In an interview with EXPRESSO, Matilde Mendes, Development Director at MAP Real Estate, shared her insights on the transformation of the office paradigm, which has been undergoing a revolution in recent years.
According to Matilde Mendes, “more than a place of mandatory presence, the physical workplace is now designed for collaboration, as a hub for connection, culture, and strategic alignment.”
Although the hybrid model has been widely adopted, the expectation of a generalized reduction in occupied space has not materialized in a linear way.
Industry professionals point to several examples of new or refurbished buildings – particularly in the last two to three years – where employee well-being was the main priority. Five years after the pandemic began, it is clear that little remains of the traditional office model based on fixed, in-person occupancy.
The goals of this transformation are clear: to create the right conditions for employees still working remotely to return to the workplace, at least a few days a week, while also retaining talent and strengthening organizational culture.
Among the most common practices in this new landscape is hot desking, a workspace optimization concept that involves desk rotation, especially for teams that are not in the office every day.
Additionally, international certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, WELL, and WiredScore are increasingly being used to validate buildings’ commitment to environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, user well-being, and urban integration – all aligned with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles.
According to JLL data, in 2024 the office market in Lisbon and Porto performed strongly, with absorption levels reaching record highs. In Lisbon, office take-up exceeded 207,000 sqm, while in Porto absorption reached 76,600 sqm – representing an increase of 53% in Porto and 97% in Lisbon compared to the previous year.
