“Thinking about tomorrow today”
An interview with the founding partners of W+P Workspace Consulting about change, trust and the art of using space wisely.
Question: Dr. Wagner, Mr. Schneider – W+P has been one of the leading consultancies for years when it comes to modern working environments and real estate strategies. How did it all begin?
Dr. Roman Wagner: We started out as a partner company in Augsburg – small, but with a clear vision. We were never just concerned with square meters or space efficiency, but with the big picture: How do work, organization and real estate change together? We now have offices in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin and Augsburg. We have been managing W+P on an equal footing for almost 15 years – always with the aim of being a reliable guide for our clients, even in the face of far-reaching market changes.
Question: And what exactly does this guidance look like – what exactly do you achieve for your clients?
Dr. Roman Wagner: We see ourselves as sparring partners, not just consultants. In other words, we don’t provide off-the-shelf solutions, but help our clients to develop their own answers – with the help of sound analyses, tried-and-tested tools and honest reflection. Our aim is to create strategies and offices that are not only efficient and sustainable, but also lively and employee-oriented.
Question: Who particularly benefits from your approach?
Jens Schneider: Our strength is the diversity of perspectives – we work with owners and project developers as well as corporates and tenants. We make targeted use of this area of conflict to look at real estate projects from all angles. We are currently particularly in demand in regulated and knowledge-intensive sectors such as legal advice, finance and pharmaceuticals, but also with companies that are strategically addressing issues such as ESG, new work or space efficiency.
Question: Many of these topics are currently characterized by uncertainty. Which challenges are you yourself most concerned with?
Dr. Roman Wagner: Of course, we are affected by the current upheavals in the market – be it due to geopolitical uncertainties, reduced budgets or the difficult staffing situation in consulting. But we also see that the need for orientation, clarity and courageous decisions grows, especially in times of crisis. Our interdisciplinary team – consisting of architects, real estate and organizational consultants – can provide exactly that.
Question: You have been recognized as a top consultant. What does that mean to you?
Jens Schneider: A lot. Because the award is not just based on self-promotion, but on the assessment of our customers. It confirms to us that our approach works – and that we build trust, even beyond the project in question. We share this recognition with our team, which is the real basis of our success.
Question: And when you look back on your journey so far – what are you particularly proud of?
Dr. Roman Wagner: The trust that our customers have placed in us. Of the closeness that we have been able to maintain despite digitalization and project stress. And of the projects that are not just built, but really lived – that’s the moment when strategy, architecture and culture come together. Every extra mile is worth it.
