Will offices become scooters like the others? The Covid-19 epidemic has radically changed work habits. During the various confinements, many have discovered telework. After nomadism for certain professions, and the appearance of flex office for a decade and coworking spaces, the world of “office” jobs continues to evolve.
Despite this diversity, it is sometimes difficult to isolate yourself to make a call, make a point between collaborators and simply concentrate. To address these issues, new “on-demand” office solutions are beginning to flourish in Paris and Île-de-France. “In my former consulting job, I moved around often, and I was always looking for a place to make quiet phone calls,” says Raphaëlle Borneuf, founder of Bonport. The charm of the cafes, she agrees, is inimitable, “but it’s not easy to find one where you can make a business call.”
Feeling of isolation in the heart of Montparnasse station
She therefore created her company Bonport, which offers “lounge” rooms, such as the one at Montparnasse station: a place whose appearance is closer to the reception of a luxury hotel and an intimate café, than to a large living room. SNCF passenger. The place is made up of different spaces where visitors can settle around the reception. To the right of the entrance, a pretty table where up to four people can sit. On the left, two small alcoves accommodate tables with armchairs and sofas, at the back, a cozy space with benches.
All these spaces, well separated from each other, offer a feeling of isolation for people, alone or in groups, who would like to take time to concentrate. They all have sockets and USB ports and the company offers a secure Wi-Fi connection.
Here, the exchanges are free, but a certain moderation in the volume of the voice is requested to respect the other occupants. “Of course, the show is open to everyone, but we are mainly targeting professionals who would like to work in peace,” explains Raphaëlle Borneuf.
Private cabins for meetings and videoconferences
Better, for those who would like to maintain the confidentiality of their work, or make a videoconference, Bonport offers private cabins. At the Montparnasse station lounge, two bubbles are available. The acoustics are worked to isolate the participants from the outside, and vice versa, and the glass doors are elegantly equipped with patterns to keep the privacy of the place. “These bubbles are modular to be able to adapt to the needs of visitors, whether for a work session for two, or for a meeting for four, we can adapt the height of the table, add chairs, etc. », Specifies Raphaëlle Borneuf.
Of course, these services come at a cost. 12.5 euros per hour for a space in the living room and 42 euros per hour for a private bubble. At this price, visitors benefit from unlimited coffee, tea, croissants and biscuits.
After a first opening in Lille-Flandres station, aborted due to the Covid-19 crisis, Raphaëlle Borneuf has relaunched its first show in Montparnasse and is aiming for five new openings in 2022. Stations are the core target of this new service: “We are targeting major hubs, so we are also looking at airports. »
Kabin, offices on demand
If the stations want to equip themselves with work bubbles, they are also looking to Kabin. This company created at the end of 2019 is part of the concept of “microworking”, namely short work sessions in places that are not intended for this purpose.
For this, the company offers cabins which are in fact perfect small mobile offices, as described by Adrien Lemaire, founder of Kabin: “We wanted to support the boom in nomadism, teleworking and micromobility. »
The boxes consist of small offices, which can accommodate up to four people, and which are closed by two glass doors. To access it, simply download the dedicated application and ask for the code to dial. The application also indicates the available time slots, which can be booked in advance or at the last moment.
A future support by employers?
With an Internet connection, these cabins, which Adrien Lemaire describes as “caskets of silence, totally isolated from the outside world”, can be booked in 15-minute increments. Convenient for those who just want to make a call in good conditions.
“These are not places that are intended to become an office, they are intended for occasional needs”, recalls the founder of Kabin. It must be said that the price, 3.50 euros for 15 minutes, or 14 euros per hour, limits daily use. A high price for teleworkers, which is why Adrien Lemaire would like to convince companies to cover these costs, perhaps via the application of a “work ticket” as there are meal vouchers. He also plans to develop subscription offers for heavy workers.
Rest assured that those worried about the Covid, the product developed at the dawn of the pandemic took this parameter into account and has a UVA air filter which allows the eradication of microbes present in the air. All the air in the cabin is renewed between each session, in 2’30 and all surfaces inside are treated with non-invasive virucidal solutions.
Soon beach Kabin?
Kabin’s main advantage is his mobility. All you need is a 120 volt outlet to make the cabin fully functional. Today, two cabins are available, one at the So Ouest shopping center in Levallois-Perret, and one in the reception hall of the town hall of the 17th arrondissement of Paris. A third should arrive at the L’Escale cultural center in Levallois-Perret in the coming days.
The solution is of interest to many people. In addition to a few shopping centers that inquire, Kabin is in discussion with the SNCF to perhaps deploy cabins in certain stations, and with the company Vinci for motorway areas. “A beautiful dream would be to offer image cabins, that is to say in museums, or near the beach, to one day offer a beautiful view in addition to the comfort of our cabins. »