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Covid 19: The Post pandemic Workspace
Posted 4 years ago by The Glass Wipe Board Company Team
The start of the new decade has seen Covid-19 turn the world on its head, altering life in a way not much of the global population has seen before. Many businesses haven’t had a choice but to vacate their offices and turn their homes into workspaces. The challenge everyone is facing when workforces return comes in adapting work areas for life after covid-19.
To offer a clearer picture of what a post pandemic office might look like, we have outlined the key design trends we predict to appear as businesses make their way back into workspaces.
Social Distancing… Through Design
Arguably the biggest challenge facing businesses with a plan to return to the office is how to effectively enforce social distancing.
As humans we’re naturally sociable. We’re also creatures of habit that become infamously difficult when something – including a global pandemic – threatens the routine of our life. Which is exactly what social distancing, or staying 2 metres apart, is designed to do.
Businesses have been forced to find innovative ways to implement social distancing measures without allowing their offices to become too clinical, or their employees too uncomfortable.
Endless amounts of posters, signs and other eye-catching graphics have appeared overnight in public spaces, indicating where people should stand or what routes to follow and its likely this human centric design will follow suit in office spaces.
Open Plan Offices with A Difference
A lot of returning to work speculation has included the question of whether Covid-19 spells the end for traditional open plan offices or not.
While it would be easy for employers to revert to the dreaded desk cubicle, we believe the open plan office is undoubtedly here to stay – but with extra measures to meet the needs of employees and protect everyone.
Pragmatically, encasing each employee in a small space with imposing barriers around them will be effective at preventing contamination. However it’s highly likely it will all but ruin any chance of socialising or collaboration between teams – which is the entire reason the open plan office has been widely adopted.
While we don’t see any dramatic changes in the office space, things could look a little different in meeting rooms.
Spaces adjusted toward projects, where conference style centre tables are replaced with smaller desks spread throughout the room and chairs are overlooked in favour of standing, is one way businesses could look to ensure social distancing is met and minimise the risk of contamination.
What’s more, modular furniture such as freestanding boards can be used as mobile partitions to accommodate multi-purpose rooms, while also being used as movable walls in collaboration spaces.
Resimercial is more than just a Buzzword
Resimercial offices – offices that bring a residential feel to a commercial space – have been increasingly common since before Covid-19 and aren’t expected to slow down either.
Since the virus has kept us indoors, many of us have become accustom to the luxuries of home life during the working day, and it’s likely that employees will inevitably feel uncomfortable about returning to a somewhat corporate reality.
We’re likely to see offices attempt to recreate a cosy vibe with their design, in a bid to make the transition back into the office easier for employees. More businesses are also adopting flexible ways of working, and resimercial design will allow those businesses to create a space where employees who are constantly moving can return to and feel at home.
Sustainability is (still) King
As sustainability, climate change and greenhouse gas consumption issues retake their seats at centre stage on a global level, industries such as construction demand a significant increase in workplace furniture and materials that boast strong sustainable credentials.
What’s more, many larger office projects are aiming to attain LEED, BREEAM or Green Building Standard accreditations for their workspaces, and main contractors such as Wates are also setting ambitious targets to become carbon neutral contractors.
For us, sustainability was and still is one of the most important trends in all aspects of the workplace, and Covid-19 doesn’t seem to have affected that.
At the Glass Wipe Board Company, we’re passionate about sustainability, making eco friendly choices and protecting our environment. Our policies as a business are constantly evolving to ensure we’re able to help our clients create an environmentally friendly workspace delivered using recyclable materials and with sustainability in mind.
For more information on how we can help you create the perfect home office, speak to one of our sales team on 01303 674364 or email us at sales@theglasswipeboardcompany.com.