Press "Enter" to skip to content

Peak Office and the Age of Un-building | Mark Gilbreath | TEDxSunValley


you know the world is moving so fast at

you know the world is moving so fast at least it feels that way to me and and

least it feels that way to me and and

least it feels that way to me and and oftentimes I I just want it to slow down

oftentimes I I just want it to slow down

oftentimes I I just want it to slow down I just want to take a moment you know so

I just want to take a moment you know so

I just want to take a moment you know so much change I mean call me nostalgic and

much change I mean call me nostalgic and

much change I mean call me nostalgic and at the risk of dating myself it wasn’t

at the risk of dating myself it wasn’t

at the risk of dating myself it wasn’t that long ago that great music is

that long ago that great music is

that long ago that great music is something that you went to the store to

something that you went to the store to

something that you went to the store to to buy and you could pick it up and

to buy and you could pick it up and

to buy and you could pick it up and contemplate that purchase and turn it

contemplate that purchase and turn it

contemplate that purchase and turn it over and read it before making the

over and read it before making the

over and read it before making the purchase rather than streaming it online

purchase rather than streaming it online

purchase rather than streaming it online it wasn’t that long ago that reaching

it wasn’t that long ago that reaching

it wasn’t that long ago that reaching out to a loved one or a family member

out to a loved one or a family member

out to a loved one or a family member and saying hey or I love you was

and saying hey or I love you was

and saying hey or I love you was something you spoke aloud and you did

something you spoke aloud and you did

something you spoke aloud and you did suit so with a device plugged into the

suit so with a device plugged into the

suit so with a device plugged into the wall that my son wouldn’t even recognize

wall that my son wouldn’t even recognize

wall that my son wouldn’t even recognize it wasn’t that long ago that coming of

it wasn’t that long ago that coming of

it wasn’t that long ago that coming of age and the personal freedom of the age

age and the personal freedom of the age

age and the personal freedom of the age of 16 came with a driver’s license and a

of 16 came with a driver’s license and a

of 16 came with a driver’s license and a set of car keys not a snapchat account

set of car keys not a snapchat account

set of car keys not a snapchat account and on the political front you know it

and on the political front you know it

and on the political front you know it wasn’t that long ago that England was a

wasn’t that long ago that England was a

wasn’t that long ago that England was a pillar of the EU and and this gentleman

pillar of the EU and and this gentleman

pillar of the EU and and this gentleman was a purveyor of fine ties and steaks

was a purveyor of fine ties and steaks

was a purveyor of fine ties and steaks and the Democrat you know so much change

and the Democrat you know so much change

and the Democrat you know so much change in fact amidst all of this change you

in fact amidst all of this change you

in fact amidst all of this change you know isn’t it often that we feel a bit

know isn’t it often that we feel a bit

know isn’t it often that we feel a bit unstable or a bit unsettled you know in

unstable or a bit unsettled you know in

unstable or a bit unsettled you know in college I studied physics and electrical

college I studied physics and electrical

college I studied physics and electrical engineering these were two topics that

engineering these were two topics that

engineering these were two topics that were rooted in the scientific method and

were rooted in the scientific method and

were rooted in the scientific method and the scientific methods all about

the scientific methods all about

the scientific methods all about observations and hypotheses and theorems

observations and hypotheses and theorems

observations and hypotheses and theorems and you’d use those things to interpret

and you’d use those things to interpret

and you’d use those things to interpret the natural world it was tangible

the natural world it was tangible

the natural world it was tangible concepts you know theorems like objects

concepts you know theorems like objects

concepts you know theorems like objects at rest remain at rest unless acted on

at rest remain at rest unless acted on

at rest remain at rest unless acted on by an external force

by an external force

by an external force these were concepts that were tangible

these were concepts that were tangible

these were concepts that were tangible enough that my engineering oriented

enough that my engineering oriented

enough that my engineering oriented brain could use that sort of as a cloak

brain could use that sort of as a cloak

brain could use that sort of as a cloak of comfort that that was how I felt

of comfort that that was how I felt

of comfort that that was how I felt comfortable in this world of sweeping

comfortable in this world of sweeping

comfortable in this world of sweeping change but today and by the way the

change but today and by the way the

change but today and by the way the scientific method is also a means of

scientific method is also a means of

scientific method is also a means of predicting the future but in today’s

predicting the future but in today’s

predicting the future but in today’s world you know the world seems anything

world you know the world seems anything

world you know the world seems anything but predictable anything but certain

but predictable anything but certain

but predictable anything but certain so the engineering they wanted a theorem

so the engineering they wanted a theorem

so the engineering they wanted a theorem that I could latch on to that would let

that I could latch on to that would let

that I could latch on to that would let me feel that place and grounded in this

me feel that place and grounded in this

me feel that place and grounded in this world

world

world and as I look back across the sweep of

and as I look back across the sweep of

and as I look back across the sweep of recorded history I saw a pattern now’s

recorded history I saw a pattern now’s

recorded history I saw a pattern now’s not the only time when everything seemed

not the only time when everything seemed

not the only time when everything seemed to be changing in fact there have been

to be changing in fact there have been

to be changing in fact there have been four periods in history where there was

four periods in history where there was

four periods in history where there was sweeping change and changed that

sweeping change and changed that

sweeping change and changed that happened at an accelerated clip as if as

happened at an accelerated clip as if as

happened at an accelerated clip as if as if the world moved forward at dog years

if the world moved forward at dog years

if the world moved forward at dog years for some finite amount of time and in

for some finite amount of time and in

for some finite amount of time and in those periods of change everything

those periods of change everything

those periods of change everything changed all of the layers of society

changed all of the layers of society

changed all of the layers of society forms of government means of Commerce

forms of government means of Commerce

forms of government means of Commerce modes of transportation the materials of

modes of transportation the materials of

modes of transportation the materials of construction as we heard about earlier

construction as we heard about earlier

construction as we heard about earlier today the distribution and the creation

today the distribution and the creation

today the distribution and the creation of wealth and and literally where and

of wealth and and literally where and

of wealth and and literally where and how people worked everything would

how people worked everything would

how people worked everything would change at these compressed moments and

change at these compressed moments and

change at these compressed moments and as I looked deeper at it the pattern

as I looked deeper at it the pattern

as I looked deeper at it the pattern that I saw emerge was that at each of

that I saw emerge was that at each of

that I saw emerge was that at each of those junctions in history those periods

those junctions in history those periods

those junctions in history those periods of radical change seemed to coincide

of radical change seemed to coincide

of radical change seemed to coincide with Mo’s or times when there was a new

with Mo’s or times when there was a new

with Mo’s or times when there was a new communication paradigm and a new energy

communication paradigm and a new energy

communication paradigm and a new energy paradigm we walk you through that so

paradigm we walk you through that so

paradigm we walk you through that so let’s go back to the first instance of

let’s go back to the first instance of

let’s go back to the first instance of this 10,000 years ago and the energy

this 10,000 years ago and the energy

this 10,000 years ago and the energy paradigm was stored grain and with the

paradigm was stored grain and with the

paradigm was stored grain and with the at the ability to store food energy and

at the ability to store food energy and

at the ability to store food energy and nomadic culture shifted to to farmers

nomadic culture shifted to to farmers

nomadic culture shifted to to farmers and cities and towns emerged and the

and cities and towns emerged and the

and cities and towns emerged and the energy paradigm coming and that

energy paradigm coming and that

energy paradigm coming and that communication paradigm was written

communication paradigm was written

communication paradigm was written language and we evolved from spoken word

language and we evolved from spoken word

language and we evolved from spoken word and you know transmission of ideas

and you know transmission of ideas

and you know transmission of ideas through tribes to scripture and and at

through tribes to scripture and and at

through tribes to scripture and and at that point in time documents were formed

that point in time documents were formed

that point in time documents were formed scripture you know religions were put to

scripture you know religions were put to

scripture you know religions were put to tablets and disseminated and again

tablets and disseminated and again

tablets and disseminated and again everything changed

everything changed

everything changed fast-forward now thousands of years to

fast-forward now thousands of years to

fast-forward now thousands of years to the next major revolution point in our

the next major revolution point in our

the next major revolution point in our schoolbooks we all know if this says the

schoolbooks we all know if this says the

schoolbooks we all know if this says the Industrial Revolution the new energy

Industrial Revolution the new energy

Industrial Revolution the new energy paradigm was the steam engine and for

paradigm was the steam engine and for

paradigm was the steam engine and for the first time the ability to harness

the first time the ability to harness

the first time the ability to harness power to drive steam engines and steam

power to drive steam engines and steam

power to drive steam engines and steam ships and factories and the

ships and factories and the

ships and factories and the communication paradigm was the printing

communication paradigm was the printing

communication paradigm was the printing press moving away from monks

press moving away from monks

press moving away from monks transferring tablets one at a time to

transferring tablets one at a time to

transferring tablets one at a time to the ability to disseminate ideas for

the ability to disseminate ideas for

the ability to disseminate ideas for broadly whether it was religious

broadly whether it was religious

broadly whether it was religious treatises political ideologies or

treatises political ideologies or

treatises political ideologies or advertising how do you influence a far

advertising how do you influence a far

advertising how do you influence a far larger crowd and at this point in

larger crowd and at this point in

larger crowd and at this point in history everything changed

history everything changed

history everything changed work moved from farm to factory wealth

work moved from farm to factory wealth

work moved from farm to factory wealth began to shift from nobility to merchant

began to shift from nobility to merchant

began to shift from nobility to merchant class everything changed

class everything changed

class everything changed step forward again somewhat faster clip

step forward again somewhat faster clip

step forward again somewhat faster clip now a hundred years and we’re into the

now a hundred years and we’re into the

now a hundred years and we’re into the 1870s the new energy paradigm was oil

1870s the new energy paradigm was oil

1870s the new energy paradigm was oil and its partner the internal combustion

and its partner the internal combustion

and its partner the internal combustion and the communication paradigm with the

and the communication paradigm with the

and the communication paradigm with the telephone Thank You Alexander Graham

telephone Thank You Alexander Graham

telephone Thank You Alexander Graham Bell internal combustion engine let us

Bell internal combustion engine let us

Bell internal combustion engine let us make power portable and with that came

make power portable and with that came

make power portable and with that came the car in the airplane electronic

the car in the airplane electronic

the car in the airplane electronic communication the telephone meant that

communication the telephone meant that

communication the telephone meant that the world that in the past had been

the world that in the past had been

the world that in the past had been distributed by days or weeks or months

distributed by days or weeks or months

distributed by days or weeks or months could suddenly be instantaneously

could suddenly be instantaneously

could suddenly be instantaneously reachable and with that again everything

reachable and with that again everything

reachable and with that again everything changed

changed

changed democracy began to flourish and change

democracy began to flourish and change

democracy began to flourish and change at the government level work began to

at the government level work began to

at the government level work began to move from factory to office sweeping

move from factory to office sweeping

move from factory to office sweeping change destabilizing change so it brings

change destabilizing change so it brings

change destabilizing change so it brings us to today and I would contend for any

us to today and I would contend for any

us to today and I would contend for any of you who feel a bit unsettled by the

of you who feel a bit unsettled by the

of you who feel a bit unsettled by the recent turns of events over the last

recent turns of events over the last

recent turns of events over the last months or years even I would contend

months or years even I would contend

months or years even I would contend take comfort with me and the fact that

take comfort with me and the fact that

take comfort with me and the fact that we are in a period of change like that

we are in a period of change like that

we are in a period of change like that again and the two paradigms that are

again and the two paradigms that are

again and the two paradigms that are shaping this age that we’re in now I’ll

shaping this age that we’re in now I’ll

shaping this age that we’re in now I’ll contend our sustainability you’ve heard

contend our sustainability you’ve heard

contend our sustainability you’ve heard a lot about that today and networked

a lot about that today and networked

a lot about that today and networked communications in all of its forms

communications in all of its forms

communications in all of its forms Facebook Twitter snapchat but network

Facebook Twitter snapchat but network

Facebook Twitter snapchat but network communications meaning in my pocket

communications meaning in my pocket

communications meaning in my pocket buzzing periodically I am connected to

buzzing periodically I am connected to

buzzing periodically I am connected to literally millions of people around the

literally millions of people around the

literally millions of people around the world it’s no longer just one two on

world it’s no longer just one two on

world it’s no longer just one two on phone but literally I am connected

phone but literally I am connected

phone but literally I am connected everywhere and these two elements

everywhere and these two elements

everywhere and these two elements sustainability and network

sustainability and network

sustainability and network communications they weave themselves

communications they weave themselves

communications they weave themselves into the DNA of every layer of society

into the DNA of every layer of society

into the DNA of every layer of society that is now being rewritten right so

that is now being rewritten right so

that is now being rewritten right so this is a moment for revolutionaries

this is a moment for revolutionaries

this is a moment for revolutionaries this is a moment when the crazy ones as

this is a moment when the crazy ones as

this is a moment when the crazy ones as Steve Jobs has popularized do bold

Steve Jobs has popularized do bold

Steve Jobs has popularized do bold things when they drive human life

things when they drive human life

things when they drive human life forward you know Steve talked about the

forward you know Steve talked about the

forward you know Steve talked about the the crazy ones being those people that

the crazy ones being those people that

the crazy ones being those people that are crazy enough to believe that they

are crazy enough to believe that they

are crazy enough to believe that they can change the world and as such they

can change the world and as such they

can change the world and as such they are the ones who do right so this is

are the ones who do right so this is

are the ones who do right so this is that do-over moment so while I might

that do-over moment so while I might

that do-over moment so while I might feel at times as though the world is

feel at times as though the world is

feel at times as though the world is rushing at me too rapidly I turn that

rushing at me too rapidly I turn that

rushing at me too rapidly I turn that around rather than being a victim of it

around rather than being a victim of it

around rather than being a victim of it now is the opportunity to be the actor

now is the opportunity to be the actor

now is the opportunity to be the actor right to be the change agent so in these

right to be the change agent so in these

right to be the change agent so in these periods of change and judging from the

periods of change and judging from the

periods of change and judging from the patterns of the past what can we

patterns of the past what can we

patterns of the past what can we anticipate what wicked can we predict

anticipate what wicked can we predict

anticipate what wicked can we predict well we know that revolution can be

well we know that revolution can be

well we know that revolution can be sudden I’ll give you an illustration

sudden I’ll give you an illustration

sudden I’ll give you an illustration from the transportation revolution at

from the transportation revolution at

from the transportation revolution at play now uber invented in 1999 in San

play now uber invented in 1999 in San

play now uber invented in 1999 in San Francisco five years later

Francisco five years later

Francisco five years later yellow cab the industry of for

yellow cab the industry of for

yellow cab the industry of for transportation by taxi that had existed

transportation by taxi that had existed

transportation by taxi that had existed for 80 years prior was bankrupt we also

for 80 years prior was bankrupt we also

for 80 years prior was bankrupt we also know that revolution can be messy 200

know that revolution can be messy 200

know that revolution can be messy 200 years ago in Paris a couple of

years ago in Paris a couple of

years ago in Paris a couple of revolutions ago they stormed the

revolutions ago they stormed the

revolutions ago they stormed the steal last summer they were burning cars

steal last summer they were burning cars

steal last summer they were burning cars and turning them over in response to the

and turning them over in response to the

and turning them over in response to the transportation revolution we should

transportation revolution we should

transportation revolution we should brace ourselves if there’s friction when

brace ourselves if there’s friction when

brace ourselves if there’s friction when change happens like this we also know

change happens like this we also know

change happens like this we also know that revolution is transformative these

that revolution is transformative these

that revolution is transformative these are not periods when incremental change

are not periods when incremental change

are not periods when incremental change happens these are periods when we

happens these are periods when we

happens these are periods when we completely rewrite the plumbing of

completely rewrite the plumbing of

completely rewrite the plumbing of society again I’ll touch on uber the

society again I’ll touch on uber the

society again I’ll touch on uber the taxi industry in San Francisco before

taxi industry in San Francisco before

taxi industry in San Francisco before they existed was 140 million dollars an

they existed was 140 million dollars an

they existed was 140 million dollars an enormous industry stable predictable

enormous industry stable predictable

enormous industry stable predictable reliable five years later after uber

reliable five years later after uber

reliable five years later after uber uber had not only driven the yellow cab

uber had not only driven the yellow cab

uber had not only driven the yellow cab to bankruptcy but uber in San Francisco

to bankruptcy but uber in San Francisco

to bankruptcy but uber in San Francisco alone was a five hundred million dollar

alone was a five hundred million dollar

alone was a five hundred million dollar industry this is an incremental change

industry this is an incremental change

industry this is an incremental change this isn’t taking market share for

this isn’t taking market share for

this isn’t taking market share for business people here this was completely

business people here this was completely

business people here this was completely recreating the notion of an industry

recreating the notion of an industry

recreating the notion of an industry three times larger we also know that

three times larger we also know that

three times larger we also know that today with this guiding hand of

today with this guiding hand of

today with this guiding hand of sustainability as the energy paradigm

sustainability as the energy paradigm

sustainability as the energy paradigm that this revolution is sustainable that

that this revolution is sustainable that

that this revolution is sustainable that means at all levels in construction in

means at all levels in construction in

means at all levels in construction in governments in commerce in the nature of

governments in commerce in the nature of

governments in commerce in the nature of work sustainability will leave its

work sustainability will leave its

work sustainability will leave its fingerprints and there are countless

fingerprints and there are countless

fingerprints and there are countless examples but here’s one that I find

examples but here’s one that I find

examples but here’s one that I find incredibly evocative this is ollie

incredibly evocative this is ollie

incredibly evocative this is ollie say hello to ollie this is a 3d printed

say hello to ollie this is a 3d printed

say hello to ollie this is a 3d printed recyclable electric autonomous bus

recyclable electric autonomous bus

recyclable electric autonomous bus that’s driving on the streets of

that’s driving on the streets of

that’s driving on the streets of Washington DC today this would not have

Washington DC today this would not have

Washington DC today this would not have been conceived of without that silent

been conceived of without that silent

been conceived of without that silent forcing hand of sustainability this

forcing hand of sustainability this

forcing hand of sustainability this would not exist or operate without the

would not exist or operate without the

would not exist or operate without the concept of network communications I hail

concept of network communications I hail

concept of network communications I hail it with an app in my pocket today right

it with an app in my pocket today right

it with an app in my pocket today right this revolution also is personal and

this revolution also is personal and

this revolution also is personal and network communications play into that a

network communications play into that a

network communications play into that a whole host of solutions many that are

whole host of solutions many that are

whole host of solutions many that are familiar to you and many perhaps that

familiar to you and many perhaps that

familiar to you and many perhaps that are that will be new are now in our

are that will be new are now in our

are that will be new are now in our pocket that are making this a uniquely

pocket that are making this a uniquely

pocket that are making this a uniquely personal revolution uber we talked about

personal revolution uber we talked about

personal revolution uber we talked about that my personal driver post mates if

that my personal driver post mates if

that my personal driver post mates if you live in a major city an app in my

you live in a major city an app in my

you live in a major city an app in my pocket that with a tap will bring food

pocket that with a tap will bring food

pocket that with a tap will bring food from any restaurant might want to my

from any restaurant might want to my

from any restaurant might want to my doorstep in minutes up work my personal

doorstep in minutes up work my personal

doorstep in minutes up work my personal workforce the ability to reach in my

workforce the ability to reach in my

workforce the ability to reach in my pocket tap a phone and reach an employee

pocket tap a phone and reach an employee

pocket tap a phone and reach an employee somewhere on the planet to do a unit of

somewhere on the planet to do a unit of

somewhere on the planet to do a unit of work an expert that I could hire

work an expert that I could hire

work an expert that I could hire economically efficiently Airbnb my

economically efficiently Airbnb my

economically efficiently Airbnb my personal castle unlocking three

personal castle unlocking three

personal castle unlocking three million-plus and Counting properties

million-plus and Counting properties

million-plus and Counting properties around the world and unique travel

around the world and unique travel

around the world and unique travel experiences anywhere you might want to

experiences anywhere you might want to

experiences anywhere you might want to go and I’d say I’ll share with you

go and I’d say I’ll share with you

go and I’d say I’ll share with you liquid space my personal office now this

liquid space my personal office now this

liquid space my personal office now this is where I’ve landed in this age of

is where I’ve landed in this age of

is where I’ve landed in this age of revolution this is where my passions

revolution this is where my passions

revolution this is where my passions have taken me my personal office now

have taken me my personal office now

have taken me my personal office now before I

before I

before I into the concepts a bit further let me

into the concepts a bit further let me

into the concepts a bit further let me give you the backstory now a quick quick

give you the backstory now a quick quick

give you the backstory now a quick quick primer on on how commercial office works

primer on on how commercial office works

primer on on how commercial office works and how it’s worked for the last hundred

and how it’s worked for the last hundred

and how it’s worked for the last hundred years since the last revolution basic

years since the last revolution basic

years since the last revolution basic premise is commercial office buildings

premise is commercial office buildings

premise is commercial office buildings are available for you to put your

are available for you to put your

are available for you to put your company in it right and the business

company in it right and the business

company in it right and the business model is signed a long-term lease

model is signed a long-term lease

model is signed a long-term lease usually no less than five years

usually no less than five years

usually no less than five years oftentimes ten years or Plus that means

oftentimes ten years or Plus that means

oftentimes ten years or Plus that means companies have to make a big decision

companies have to make a big decision

companies have to make a big decision where will I plant my company and where

where will I plant my company and where

where will I plant my company and where will I tell all the employees to come

will I tell all the employees to come

will I tell all the employees to come for me my first encounter with this was

for me my first encounter with this was

for me my first encounter with this was when I was a first-time CEO in 1999 in

when I was a first-time CEO in 1999 in

when I was a first-time CEO in 1999 in Silicon Valley I just raised 15 million

Silicon Valley I just raised 15 million

Silicon Valley I just raised 15 million dollars I needed space for my firm to

dollars I needed space for my firm to

dollars I needed space for my firm to grow and I ran headlong into a lease

grow and I ran headlong into a lease

grow and I ran headlong into a lease requirement of 5 years I had no bloody

requirement of 5 years I had no bloody

requirement of 5 years I had no bloody idea of what our company would look like

idea of what our company would look like

idea of what our company would look like in five years I really couldn’t predict

in five years I really couldn’t predict

in five years I really couldn’t predict it for three months but I signed that

it for three months but I signed that

it for three months but I signed that lease two floors enough space to grow to

lease two floors enough space to grow to

lease two floors enough space to grow to how large I thought we might be we never

how large I thought we might be we never

how large I thought we might be we never even moved into half the space and so

even moved into half the space and so

even moved into half the space and so all that extra real estate I was paying

all that extra real estate I was paying

all that extra real estate I was paying for could have been employees I was

for could have been employees I was

for could have been employees I was hiring to build the business more

hiring to build the business more

hiring to build the business more effectively today the reality of what

effectively today the reality of what

effectively today the reality of what companies need from an officing

companies need from an officing

companies need from an officing standpoint yes it’s often times

standpoint yes it’s often times

standpoint yes it’s often times headquarters but they also need to put

headquarters but they also need to put

headquarters but they also need to put satellite offices in multiple regions

satellite offices in multiple regions

satellite offices in multiple regions they also need for startups a place

they also need for startups a place

they also need for startups a place where the time commitment for office

where the time commitment for office

where the time commitment for office could be far shorter to keep pace with

could be far shorter to keep pace with

could be far shorter to keep pace with their growing firm and as many of us

their growing firm and as many of us

their growing firm and as many of us probably know work doesn’t just happen

probably know work doesn’t just happen

probably know work doesn’t just happen in the office anymore it’s not a place I

in the office anymore it’s not a place I

in the office anymore it’s not a place I go it’s something that I do

go it’s something that I do

go it’s something that I do regrettably perhaps I can reach for the

regrettably perhaps I can reach for the

regrettably perhaps I can reach for the phone on the bedside table in the

phone on the bedside table in the

phone on the bedside table in the morning or before I go to bed at night

morning or before I go to bed at night

morning or before I go to bed at night and check my email we all do right work

and check my email we all do right work

and check my email we all do right work is everywhere now internet is everywhere

is everywhere now internet is everywhere

is everywhere now internet is everywhere computer computing is portable but

computer computing is portable but

computer computing is portable but sometimes places to a company that are

sometimes places to a company that are

sometimes places to a company that are needed

needed

needed that’s workplace in the unit of hours

that’s workplace in the unit of hours

that’s workplace in the unit of hours okay now it’s so so for companies today

okay now it’s so so for companies today

okay now it’s so so for companies today the old real estate model that last

the old real estate model that last

the old real estate model that last revolution bought us of ten year lease

revolution bought us of ten year lease

revolution bought us of ten year lease commitment just doesn’t fit it turns out

commitment just doesn’t fit it turns out

commitment just doesn’t fit it turns out that the old model is also quite an

that the old model is also quite an

that the old model is also quite an efficient for building owners a quick

efficient for building owners a quick

efficient for building owners a quick lesson on that I’ll use a story that you

lesson on that I’ll use a story that you

lesson on that I’ll use a story that you maybe heard in grade school teacher

maybe heard in grade school teacher

maybe heard in grade school teacher walks into a classroom and puts a glass

walks into a classroom and puts a glass

walks into a classroom and puts a glass jar on the table fills it with rocks and

jar on the table fills it with rocks and

jar on the table fills it with rocks and splashed the classes that is the jar

splashed the classes that is the jar

splashed the classes that is the jar full the class says yes it’s full

full the class says yes it’s full

full the class says yes it’s full teacher then puts gravel into the jar

teacher then puts gravel into the jar

teacher then puts gravel into the jar and fills the spaces between the rocks

and fills the spaces between the rocks

and fills the spaces between the rocks ask again is the glass full glass says

ask again is the glass full glass says

ask again is the glass full glass says yes it is teacher then puts sand into

yes it is teacher then puts sand into

yes it is teacher then puts sand into the glass you know the class is getting

the glass you know the class is getting

the glass you know the class is getting wise to this teacher then puts water

wise to this teacher then puts water

wise to this teacher then puts water into the jar and fills it up to the brim

into the jar and fills it up to the brim

into the jar and fills it up to the brim to show the class a lesson hey if your

to show the class a lesson hey if your

to show the class a lesson hey if your life feels busy there’s always space to

life feels busy there’s always space to

life feels busy there’s always space to a little bit more that is the story of

a little bit more that is the story of

a little bit more that is the story of our built landscape today the rocks are

our built landscape today the rocks are

our built landscape today the rocks are how we try to fill buildings and we

how we try to fill buildings and we

how we try to fill buildings and we never fill them we’re wrapping up one of

never fill them we’re wrapping up one of

never fill them we’re wrapping up one of the best years in commercial office

the best years in commercial office

the best years in commercial office history here today in with the strength

history here today in with the strength

history here today in with the strength of our current market yet our commercial

of our current market yet our commercial

of our current market yet our commercial office building landscape is over 10%

office building landscape is over 10%

office building landscape is over 10% empty at any given time because you

empty at any given time because you

empty at any given time because you cannot fill a vessel with rocks alone

cannot fill a vessel with rocks alone

cannot fill a vessel with rocks alone need the gravel in the sand in the water

need the gravel in the sand in the water

need the gravel in the sand in the water those extra pieces sit there empty yet

those extra pieces sit there empty yet

those extra pieces sit there empty yet the building owner pays for the entire

the building owner pays for the entire

the building owner pays for the entire building but it’s worse than that

building but it’s worse than that

building but it’s worse than that in addition to the empty spaces the

in addition to the empty spaces the

in addition to the empty spaces the building owner hasn’t filled there are

building owner hasn’t filled there are

building owner hasn’t filled there are unlucky shots like I was in 1999 that

unlucky shots like I was in 1999 that

unlucky shots like I was in 1999 that made long-term lease commitments they’re

made long-term lease commitments they’re

made long-term lease commitments they’re only using half of the space that they

only using half of the space that they

only using half of the space that they leased so from a sustainability

leased so from a sustainability

leased so from a sustainability efficiency standpoint or an economic

efficiency standpoint or an economic

efficiency standpoint or an economic butyl ization standpoint very very

butyl ization standpoint very very

butyl ization standpoint very very inefficient moreover on purely

inefficient moreover on purely

inefficient moreover on purely environmental terms the building model

environmental terms the building model

environmental terms the building model the real estate model that the last

the real estate model that the last

the real estate model that the last revolution brought us is woefully

revolution brought us is woefully

revolution brought us is woefully inadequate under today’s lens of

inadequate under today’s lens of

inadequate under today’s lens of sustainability you’ve heard some of

sustainability you’ve heard some of

sustainability you’ve heard some of these numbers and a couple presentations

these numbers and a couple presentations

these numbers and a couple presentations ago 79 percent of US electricity

ago 79 percent of US electricity

ago 79 percent of US electricity consumption is powering our buildings 39

consumption is powering our buildings 39

consumption is powering our buildings 39 percent of our carbon footprint on a

percent of our carbon footprint on a

percent of our carbon footprint on a planet that I’ll tell you again is

planet that I’ll tell you again is

planet that I’ll tell you again is warming is going into the buildings that

warming is going into the buildings that

warming is going into the buildings that are sending woefully underutilized in

are sending woefully underutilized in

are sending woefully underutilized in fact and this is the grimmest statistic

fact and this is the grimmest statistic

fact and this is the grimmest statistic of all even a building that may be

of all even a building that may be

of all even a building that may be leased a hundred percent that companies

leased a hundred percent that companies

leased a hundred percent that companies are occupying the reality is based upon

are occupying the reality is based upon

are occupying the reality is based upon survey after survey that the typical

survey after survey that the typical

survey after survey that the typical officer desk inside of an office

officer desk inside of an office

officer desk inside of an office workplace is only utilize 30 percent of

workplace is only utilize 30 percent of

workplace is only utilize 30 percent of the workday it’s to say nothing of the

the workday it’s to say nothing of the

the workday it’s to say nothing of the after 9:00 to 5:00 so what is what’s

after 9:00 to 5:00 so what is what’s

after 9:00 to 5:00 so what is what’s called for what does the real estate

called for what does the real estate

called for what does the real estate Revolution need to do I think it’s clear

Revolution need to do I think it’s clear

Revolution need to do I think it’s clear we have to fill the jar we have to fill

we have to fill the jar we have to fill

we have to fill the jar we have to fill the jar of the existing built landscape

the jar of the existing built landscape

the jar of the existing built landscape that’s already out there and it’s well

that’s already out there and it’s well

that’s already out there and it’s well in play the same patterns that have

in play the same patterns that have

in play the same patterns that have shown us how to transform things like

shown us how to transform things like

shown us how to transform things like transportation with apps in our pocket

transportation with apps in our pocket

transportation with apps in our pocket are also now transforming real estate

are also now transforming real estate

are also now transforming real estate and the two big pieces that were needed

and the two big pieces that were needed

and the two big pieces that were needed were one let’s use technology let’s use

were one let’s use technology let’s use

were one let’s use technology let’s use networked communications to rethink the

networked communications to rethink the

networked communications to rethink the way that real estate transactions can

way that real estate transactions can

way that real estate transactions can happen let’s put it online the internet

happen let’s put it online the internet

happen let’s put it online the internet now is where office transactions can

now is where office transactions can

now is where office transactions can happen the second piece is a bit less

happen the second piece is a bit less

happen the second piece is a bit less sexy but no less critical and that’s the

sexy but no less critical and that’s the

sexy but no less critical and that’s the legal framework part of what held us

legal framework part of what held us

legal framework part of what held us behind and held us so long in the old

behind and held us so long in the old

behind and held us so long in the old revolutions model of long term leases

revolutions model of long term leases

revolutions model of long term leases was that lease document

was that lease document

was that lease document every commercial office transaction

every commercial office transaction

every commercial office transaction requires attorneys on both sides brokers

requires attorneys on both sides brokers

requires attorneys on both sides brokers to interpret a custom contract just to

to interpret a custom contract just to

to interpret a custom contract just to occupy an office that’s being done away

occupy an office that’s being done away

occupy an office that’s being done away with now as standardized in simplified

with now as standardized in simplified

with now as standardized in simplified models that are akin to the contract you

models that are akin to the contract you

models that are akin to the contract you might sign at a Marriott hotel are

might sign at a Marriott hotel are

might sign at a Marriott hotel are sweeping through real estate online

sweeping through real estate online

sweeping through real estate online simple and end-to-end

simple and end-to-end

simple and end-to-end so what’s it looked like from the front

so what’s it looked like from the front

so what’s it looked like from the front lines well I’m happy to share that the

lines well I’m happy to share that the

lines well I’m happy to share that the owners of buildings and the companies

owners of buildings and the companies

owners of buildings and the companies who have put leases out are embracing

who have put leases out are embracing

who have put leases out are embracing this revolution those those spaces

this revolution those those spaces

this revolution those those spaces between the rocks are starting to become

between the rocks are starting to become

between the rocks are starting to become available companies are putting those

available companies are putting those

available companies are putting those empty spaces onto platforms like liquid

empty spaces onto platforms like liquid

empty spaces onto platforms like liquid space they are finding a way there they

space they are finding a way there they

space they are finding a way there they have a motivation to fill those empty

have a motivation to fill those empty

have a motivation to fill those empty slots and likewise to the professionals

slots and likewise to the professionals

slots and likewise to the professionals on the go to the CEOs of startup

on the go to the CEOs of startup

on the go to the CEOs of startup companies and the real estate heads of

companies and the real estate heads of

companies and the real estate heads of large enterprises they too are embracing

large enterprises they too are embracing

large enterprises they too are embracing the real estate the the revolution

the real estate the the revolution

the real estate the the revolution they’re giving their employees mobility

they’re giving their employees mobility

they’re giving their employees mobility and choice they’re looking to make more

and choice they’re looking to make more

and choice they’re looking to make more efficient uses rather than just numb Lee

efficient uses rather than just numb Lee

efficient uses rather than just numb Lee signing up for long term commitments and

signing up for long term commitments and

signing up for long term commitments and so at these periods of revolution where

so at these periods of revolution where

so at these periods of revolution where new ideas sweep in and where the fabric

new ideas sweep in and where the fabric

new ideas sweep in and where the fabric of society is rewritten oftentimes

of society is rewritten oftentimes

of society is rewritten oftentimes there’s an old guard that swept away and

there’s an old guard that swept away and

there’s an old guard that swept away and you can plot that with Peaks economists

you can plot that with Peaks economists

you can plot that with Peaks economists today are pointing at peak oil for

today are pointing at peak oil for

today are pointing at peak oil for example a point when oil production and

example a point when oil production and

example a point when oil production and demand is actually falling off in fact

demand is actually falling off in fact

demand is actually falling off in fact they think we may have hit it likewise

they think we may have hit it likewise

they think we may have hit it likewise with the advent of revolutionaries like

with the advent of revolutionaries like

with the advent of revolutionaries like uber and Google and Tesla who are

uber and Google and Tesla who are

uber and Google and Tesla who are working on autonomous cars people are

working on autonomous cars people are

working on autonomous cars people are actually talking about peak car and it

actually talking about peak car and it

actually talking about peak car and it may be that we’ve already hit peak car

may be that we’ve already hit peak car

may be that we’ve already hit peak car with my passions applied into office and

with my passions applied into office and

with my passions applied into office and many others out there working on similar

many others out there working on similar

many others out there working on similar things I think we can now look in this

things I think we can now look in this

things I think we can now look in this revolution at the phenomena of peak

revolution at the phenomena of peak

revolution at the phenomena of peak office and looking backwards for the

office and looking backwards for the

office and looking backwards for the last hundred years I’m ready to

last hundred years I’m ready to

last hundred years I’m ready to characterize that as the rise of the

characterize that as the rise of the

characterize that as the rise of the industrial real estate complex where we

industrial real estate complex where we

industrial real estate complex where we built big things we built dams and

built big things we built dams and

built big things we built dams and highways and skyscrapers but we did so

highways and skyscrapers but we did so

highways and skyscrapers but we did so without any accountability to

without any accountability to

without any accountability to sustainability economic or environmental

sustainability economic or environmental

sustainability economic or environmental but today with the new flexibilities

but today with the new flexibilities

but today with the new flexibilities that are being applied to how the built

that are being applied to how the built

that are being applied to how the built landscape can be used with things like

landscape can be used with things like

landscape can be used with things like the Airbnb of office happening I think

the Airbnb of office happening I think

the Airbnb of office happening I think we’re gonna be able to characterize this

we’re gonna be able to characterize this

we’re gonna be able to characterize this era as the great era of unbuilding let’s

era as the great era of unbuilding let’s

era as the great era of unbuilding let’s share and utilize and harvest the

share and utilize and harvest the

share and utilize and harvest the buildings that are already constructed

buildings that are already constructed

buildings that are already constructed and let’s all delight in that

and let’s all delight in that

and let’s all delight in that and so hopefully 10 30 50 years from now

and so hopefully 10 30 50 years from now

and so hopefully 10 30 50 years from now someone on a stage in the future or some

someone on a stage in the future or some

someone on a stage in the future or some historian will look back on this era and

historian will look back on this era and

historian will look back on this era and to some of the crazy ones that were out

to some of the crazy ones that were out

to some of the crazy ones that were out there that dared to imagine a new model

there that dared to imagine a new model

there that dared to imagine a new model for real estate and my hope is that they

for real estate and my hope is that they

for real estate and my hope is that they will be able to look back and see this

will be able to look back and see this

will be able to look back and see this as a period as an outcome we’re more

as a period as an outcome we’re more

as a period as an outcome we’re more happy people were working in fewer

happy people were working in fewer

happy people were working in fewer buildings and the planet smiled back at

buildings and the planet smiled back at

buildings and the planet smiled back at us thank you

us thank you

us thank you [Applause]

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *