The challenge
In a context of evolving ways of working, PwC sought to obtain an objective and fact-based view of the actual use of its headquarters in Machelen. The questions were concrete: how are the different types of spaces truly used? Which spaces are over- or under-occupied? At what times do peaks and dips in occupancy occur?
The challenge was both organisational and financial. Organisational, because a detailed understanding of space usage enables alignment between the work environment and the actual needs of teams. Financial, because objective occupancy data makes it possible to adjust surface use, space typologies, and investments, avoiding decisions based on perception or habit. The objective was to base the evolution of the work environment on measurable and actionable data.
Our approach
To meet this objective, we provided PwC with our occupancy analysis tool braincount. The building plans were integrated into the platform floor by floor, enabling a structured and detailed analysis of the different space types.
Using a tablet, trained observers conducted several daily measurements within the building to record the actual occupancy of workstations and other available spaces. The intuitive and flexible tool allowed the teams to carry out these observations autonomously, with support from brainmove throughout the measurement period.
The data collection took place over a representative three-week period, defined in consultation with the client. Clear upfront communication ensured transparency towards employees. Once the collection phase was completed, our teams processed and cross-analysed the data, transforming raw observations into clear, structured, and decision-oriented insights.
The result
The assignment resulted in a clear and visual reporting of the building’s actual occupancy. PwC now has an objective overview of space usage: most and least used space types, average occupancy levels, and a visualisation of peak and low attendance moments.
The analysis highlights the relationship between the number of available workstations and the actual number of employees present, making it possible to assess whether the environment is oversized, undersized, or appropriately calibrated.
Thanks to the integration of the plans into braincount and the analysis of the collected data, PwC was able to take data-driven decisions regarding the management and allocation of the different floors, taking into account observed occupancy levels and actual usage patterns. This approach enabled the optimisation of the building’s use and strengthened the alignment between spatial organisation and daily work practices.
