Meet Marwan Shagar, Ibrahim Bilau, and Jingyuan Shen, winners of the 2025 Next Work Environment Competition Third Place Category, for their inventive Sonic-style drive-in inspired carport concept offering on-the-go tech support.
“Drive-Thru IT – Technology Help On-the-Go” delivers age-inclusive tech support for older remote workers, featuring drive-thru laptop exchanges, drive-in tutorial stations, and shared workspaces designed to reduce technostress, build confidence, and promote digital independence.
See this Tech-Infused Solution
Drive On Up
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote work, presenting significant technological challenges for older workers. As of 2023, 22% of the U.S. workforce participates in remote or hybrid work (Pew Research Center, 2023), and the proportion of workers aged 55 or older is expected to rise from 20% to 25% by 2030 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). However, many older workers struggle with rapidly evolving technology, with 51% of those aged 50+ reporting difficulties, compared to just 23% of younger workers (AARP, 2021). This creates technostress, reduced productivity, and discomfort seeking IT support, leading to a loss of 3 to 5 hours per week (Smith & Johnson, 2022). Organizations also face increased IT support costs, as older workers contribute disproportionately to these issues (Gartner, 2023). To address these challenges, the “Drive-Thru IT” model offers a tech support hub designed specifically for older remote workers.
Key Features:
- Drop-off and Pick-up: Workers leave their laptops for repair and use a loaner laptop while their device is being fixed. Once repaired, they return the loaner and retrieve their own.
- Stay in Your Car: Workers can remain in their car while using a loaner laptop and watch tech tutorials on screens at Sonic-style drive-in stations.
- Shared Workspace: A comfortable, age-friendly workspace where workers can use their loaner laptops, socialize with peers, and join workshops to enhance their tech skills.
Learning Through Service: The facility offers video tutorials that teach essential digital skills, such as using Zoom, organizing files, and updating software—skills often overlooked in traditional corporate training. The goal is to foster digital independence, not reliance on ongoing tech support.
Aging-Friendly Design & Culture: The facility is designed with older adults in mind, featuring ergonomic workstations, larger fonts, intuitive instructions, and accessible layouts. Staff are trained in age-inclusive communication, ensuring that older workers feel comfortable seeking help without intimidation.
Workshops & Community: Regular workshops and group discussions allow workers to build confidence and reduce the stigma around asking for tech assistance. Peer support is encouraged, creating a sense of community among older remote workers.
Enterprise Partnership Model: Companies can partner with Drive-Thru IT to provide this service for their remote employees. The Drive-Thru IT team can access employee IT profiles for quicker troubleshooting and coordinate with the company’s internal IT team for more complex issues. Billing is managed through the employer, simplifying the process.
Peripheral Support: In addition to tech support, the facility will offer essential hardware for purchase, such as chargers, webcams, and adapters, ensuring that remote workers have the tools they need to stay productive.
Conclusion: Drive-Thru IT empowers older workers to navigate digital challenges with confidence and dignity. This model provides a solution for employers to retain experienced employees by making remote work more accessible and efficient. By bridging the gap between the needs of the aging workforce and the demands of modern remote work, Drive-Thru IT ensures that all workers can thrive in a digital-first world.
Meet the Team
Marwan Shagar
- Current student at Georgia Institute of Technology
- (Second) PhD in Building Construction, College of Design, (Spring 2027)
- Industrial and Systems Engineering (Spring 2027)
WDM: What’s next for you?
MS: This summer, I will primarily focus on preparing and leading a summer camp sponsored by Georgia Tech, IFMA, and MetroPower. The camp is designed for high school students from low-income families who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities. In the fall, I will be working on finalizing my PhD Minor and preparing for the PhD qualifying comprehensive exam, which will officially make me a PhD candidate for the second time.
Ibrahim Bilau
- Current student at Georgia Institute of Technology
- PhD Major in Building Construction (Spring 2026)
- Minor in Human-Computer Interaction (Spring 2026)
WDM: What’s next for you?
IB: This summer and fall, I’ll be dedicating my time to advancing my dissertation and other research projects to stay on track for my expected graduation.
Jingyuan Shen
- Current student at Georgia Institute of Technology
- PhD Major in Building Construction (December 2026)
- Minor in Computer Science and Engineering in Built Environment (December 2026)
WDM: What’s next for you?
JS: This summer I’ll focus on conducting preliminary study for my dissertation on VR‑based sustainable design education. I will also participate in a Smart City Workshop in Tokyo, co‑hosted with the University of Tokyo, where our team will explore carbon‑neutral urban regeneration design strategies for the Nihonbashi district. Furthermore, I’ll present some research findings at the ASEE Annual Conference in June. In the fall I plan to defend my dissertation proposal, positioning me to transition into full data‑collection and enter the academic job market in 2026.
Inspired by a gap they saw working in their school lab, this team created a solution with unlimited potential.
The 2025 Next Work Environment Student Competition is generously supported by the following partners.
Tango is a leading provider of Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS), trusted by thousands of global businesses to optimize space management, lease portfolios, facilities maintenance, and more. As the future of work continues to evolve, Tango’s innovative software helps organizations navigate this change, offering solutions for office reservation, visitor management, energy and sustainability, and construction project oversight. With a focus on flexibility and efficiency, Tango empowers businesses to stay agile in a dynamic environment, providing the insights and tools needed to make informed decisions and drive operational success.
Kimball International is a leading commercial furnishings company with deep expertise in the Workplace, Health, and Hospitality markets. For over 70 years, our brands have seized opportunities to customize solutions into personalized experiences, turning ordinary spaces into meaningful places. Our family of brands includes Kimball, National, Etc., Interwoven, David Edward, Kimball Hospitality, and D’style.
National, a brand of Kimball International, joined the contract office furniture market in 1980 with a goal to be a standout. Determined to offer customers a better value with shorter lead times, National created a brand by successfully delivering innovative products that were on budget and on time. Today, that foundation still holds true. Our exceptional value, combined with design-driven products, on-time delivery, and our dedication to customer experiences has established us as a leader in the furniture industry.
Allwork.Space is the leading digital media platform dedicated to the Future of Work. For over 20 years, we’ve provided in-depth coverage, expert insights, and innovative solutions for professionals navigating the evolving workplace landscape. Our platform serves leaders in flexible work, workplace strategy, HR, coworking, and commercial real estate, helping them stay ahead of industry trends. Through our news, research, and partnerships, we empower businesses to shape the future of work.
Special thanks to our 2025 industry Partners:
