LOS ANGELES—CBRE has won a 2014 Digie Award for Best Automation after innovating and implementing the Workplace360 model at its global headquarters office in Downtown Los Angeles. CBRE developed the open-office concept, called Workplace360, last year and put it into effect in September. The high-tech design features mobile workspaces with multiple computer screens, ample meeting rooms, a paper-free environment and Google's Liquid Galaxy technology, all in a professional setting conducive to CBRE's culture and business. Now, nearly a year since implementing the program and with a Digie Award in hand, CBRE's Los Angeles and Orange County president Lew Horne sat down with GlobeSt.com to talk about the concept, how it is working and what other innovations the company has planned.

GlobeSt.com: It has been almost a year now since you unveiled your new office space. How is it working now, and how have you grown into the space?

Lew Horne: It's unquestionable that the office has been well received by our people. We're more mobile and flexible in the way we're working and thinking; even after 10 months there's a real enthusiasm in our people. The space has exceeded all expectations—it's become a talking point for all of occupier clients as well as owners and landlords. It's been such a success that we've adopted the concept and many of the specifics at a global level. Since the opening of the LA office, we have converted 15 offices, including three others in Southern California: Ontario, Carlsbad and Downtown San Diego. Globally there are 18 more offices under construction.

GlobeSt.com: How has the paperless environment worked over time? Have you had to make adjustments?
Horne: Initially the paperless environment was probably our greatest worry.  However, our employees adapted more quickly and seamlessly than we could have ever imagined. We reduced our file drawers by 78%, yet still we have more storage than we need. The culture has completely shifted.

GlobeSt.com: Your collaboration with Google to utilize their Liquid Galaxy is one of the reasons you won this award. How did that collaboration happen?

Horne: Liquid Galaxy is one of the focal points of our office; it's an interactive Google Earth platform that spans seven 55' monitors and links to data provided by CBRE Research and Marketing.  When we were touring creative spaces to get ideas for our own space, we noticed that Google had them in their hub offices in different parts of the world. We inquired and chose a consultant at their recommendation, working hard to use our resources, funding, and proprietary information for programming. With Liquid Galaxy, touring a region with our clients that once might have taken days is now instantaneous. The power of technology truly becomes apparent through Liquid Galaxy, and the information it visually provides is a competitive advantage for our clients. We're continually focused on finding new, dynamic ways to use this cutting-edge technology.

GlobeSt.com: What have you learned from this experience?

Horne: Have the courage to do what you believe is the right thing to do. The new design led to levels of innovation and energy that go far beyond the task that we imagined we would accomplish. The new design has not just impacted occupancy; it has impacted our DNA as a company. As Steve Jobs once said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” It's hard to put a measurement on every aspect of the new workplace, but it's unquestionable that our office, which was once physically divided by walls, is now an integrated, highly collaborative community. We've had an overwhelmingly positive response from within the company.

GlobeSt.com: What is the next innovation from CBRE?

Horne: CBRE has a constant desire to improve. We're not only looking at the way we operate our own facility (as an example for clients), but we're also committed to improving the way we aggregate and deliver information from our numerous divisions within the company. Because we work with clients on so many different levels, we believe that our collective knowledge is the best in the industry. To fully utilize the technology we have in our space, we're encouraging exploration of new ways to collect information so that we can provide complete stories and strategic value. We're going beyond the numbers. The improvements will help shape our clients' strategic investment and occupancy decisions and will have a lasting impact on the commercial real estate industry.