The Office Playbook 2.0 – WT OSS in Tallinn, Estonia

The PuRE-net Working Table Office Space Solutions (WT OSS) , held from 6 to 8 May in Tallinn, was a joint initiative between Estonia and Austria. While the event took place in Tallinn, Austria was responsible for shaping the programme, which offered a varied and engaging mix of formats and perspectives. The event brought together 33 participants from 14 organizations to exchange experiences on modern workplace concepts. The goal was to develop an updated “Office Playbook 2.0” based on existing projects.

The Working Table kicked off with a bus tour of Tallinn, followed by a final stop at the Fotografiska Museum. The following two days featured a full agenda, combining Working Table sessions with visits to the Super Ministry and the National Library of Estonia.

Participants enjoyed a dynamic programme that included presentations from Latvia, Italy, Finland and the UK, as well as group work sessions and a fishbowl discussion.

The Keep–Drop–Add analysis highlights what matters most for the future of workplace transformation: keeping proven approaches, learning from challenges, and integrating future requirements early on. Successful transformation starts with a clear vision, transparent communication, solid data, and active stakeholder involvement. Flexible workspace concepts, clear usage rules, smart booking systems, and attractive spaces for interaction also play a key role.

At the same time, the findings show that many projects struggle due to limited stakeholder involvement, insufficient alignment with future needs, and too little focus on cultural aspects. Work environments often still lack opportunities for identification, collaboration, and personalization. In addition, uncertainty around new ways of working and artificial intelligence continues to slow down change.

Looking ahead, work will become more flexible, digital, and shaped by social expectations. The office will remain important — especially as a place for interaction, learning, and collaboration. New leadership models will be essential, with greater emphasis on trust, communication, and the ability to guide change. Human strengths such as empathy, social competence, and judgment will remain indispensable in the age of AI.

The workplace of the future is hybrid, community-oriented, and technology-supported—with people at its centre.

For photo credit:

Photos by Riigi Kinnisvara, collage by BIG.