Office design and the changing world of work: a series

Welcome to our first post in a series focused on the seismic shift in work systems, traditional office typology, and more.

In an era defined by the search for the next ‘disruptive’ technology or tech-savvy industry player, the novel Coronavirus has proved to be the most disruptive force of all, and one that has caught so many blindsided, from entire industries to us as individuals.

How will office interiors and architecture change post-pandemic?

Let’s be clear: the ongoing global pandemic has serious health implications for us all. It is also, in a strange twist, proving to be the catalyst for a wide-ranging debate over the future of work.

The world of work has been upended, but not necessarily in a bad way.

The posts in this ongoing series on workplace design are as follows:

Post one of the ‘World at Work’ series: Changes we’re seeing in offices right now

Companies are grappling with how they’re going to manage their workforce now that lockdowns are easing throughout the world.

While this blog post does into detail, here are some actions that are already in place, and some ideas for the future:

1. Companies might work in shifts; employees will still be coming in two-three days a week on a rotational basis
2. Workers, aside from working in staggered shifts, will be going to work in offices where entry is restricted and temperature checks are the norm
3. Private rooms are definitely a thing
4. Where private room space isn’t available, we could be seeing work pods popping up around the office in an attempt at creating a ‘confined’ workspace in the midst of a larger open interior
5. Common spaces in offices will have to be sanitised on a schedule throughout the day for the foreseeable future, with frequently-touched spaces or surfaces sanitised every two to three hours
6. Touch-free sanitisers help stop the spread of germs and have to be accessible to all staff.

Read this post, Office Design Is Transforming In The 'New Now', here

Post two of the ‘World at Work’ series: New ways of seeing: reimagining workspaces and living spaces

Possibilities are endless in this shifting world, and there’s a real sense that the work world is changing for the better.

The forced experiment in remote working has made workers, business owners and designers all sit back and start to revaluate what can be done with traditional office spaces, and how we can maximise usage of existing interior environments in a socially-distant future.

What technological advances are coming to the fore when it comes to interior design, architectural planning and even the materials used in the construction of office spaces?

COVID-19 is without a doubt a disaster but as is the case with disasters, the brave answer is to look for the opportunities for growth.

Read this post, Coliving Is The New Face of Coworking

Post three of the ‘World at Work’ series: How co-working spaces are finding new ways to define ‘community’

Communal spaces of all kinds have taken an undeniable hit since the beginning of this year.

How can co-working spaces, built on the very idea of creative collaboration and a vibrant face-to-face community, bounce back from this obstacle?

“It’s a difficult time, but I also believe there’s a lot to learn from it,” says Pauline Roussel, chief executive of Coworkies. “It’s a way for us to get creative and understand how we can reinforce our communities.” - Sifted

Read this post, How coworking spaces are finding new definitions for 'community'

Post four of the ‘World at Work’ series: COVID-19 shapes the open-plan office of the future

The office certainly isn’t dead, but the concept of the open-plan office very well could be, for a number of different factors we touch on in other parts of this article.

What should business owners do now then with their large, mostly empty, offices?

How can it be repurposed?

How can it be re-imagined?

Will we ever work ‘together’ again? We will be touching on different aspects of communal spaces in each of the blog posts in this series.

In this post on the open office, we look specifically at the role of the front office and office managers in greeting guests and employees in reception and waiting areas.

Read this post: COVID-19 shapes the open-plan office of the future

Post five of the ‘World at Work’ series: How architecture is adapting to new demands on the office spaces of the future

Office interior architecture has seen immediate changes. Walkways within the office layout are wider, and the sheer number of workers in the interior environments have been cut.

This is because of the move to remote work, but it could be something we’ll see more of in the future as worker density remains low to combat the spread of germs in the workplace.

If the open-plan office is dead, what will we do with all of the office space? How can it be repurposed?

One thing is for sure, the architecture of office spaces has changed forever. Keep your eyes open for this post for further insights and expert opinions.

The work of the architect in designing an office space has taken on new meaning. What do architects need to consider as regards to office layout design going forward?

Read this post: How office architecture is adapting for a post-COVID world

Post six of the ‘World at Work’ series: Innovations in office technology

The lockdown has had a surprisingly heart-warming effect on us all as individuals: technology has brought people together in unexpected ways. A feeling of civic belonging is thriving, accompanied by a global shift to more community-focused thinking.

We’ve been aided by technology in all of this, from zoom calls to hangout video parties and digital conferences.

This post addresses the use of technology in the workplace – where do we go from here? How can it support this new world of work?

What technological advances are coming to the fore when it comes to interior design, architectural planning and even the materials used in the construction of office spaces?

Where do you envisage the world of work is going?

Keep your eyes peeled for our next post in this series. Weigh in with your ideas over on our Instagram feed.