Unmasking the spatial-temporal characteristics of knowledge workers’ third-place remote work

Knowledge workers tend to choose third places as alternatives for remote work. Since previous studies lack high-precision spatial-temporal data collection approaches and analysis for third-place remote workers, this study aims to investigate the spatial-temporal characteristics of knowledge workers engaging in remote work at third places using refined data collection methods. We recruited 20 knowledge workers in Beijing, China, collected their spatial-temporal data using activity diaries and wearable devices, including Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers and wearable cameras, for seven days, and visualized their spatial-temporal characteristics, encompassing work time allocation, commute duration, and spatial distribution of various workplaces. The results show that: (1) Temporally, in addition to heterogeneity in work rhythms such as fragmented versus continuous sessions and weekday-weekend contrasts, these workers work an average of 6.3 hours daily for 6.6 days a week, with 46.7% of their work time spent in third places and a 34-minute commute. (2) Spatially, most third places are located close to home with some suburban–center movements, and workers typically use 4.5 different third places for remote work and prefer third places within 5 kilometers or beyond 15 kilometers from home.