The office isn’t dead, but it will look much different in the near future. As companies begin to slowly bring their workers back into the workplace, they are taking extra precautions to keep them safe.

According to a study from Kastle Systems, 38% of workers have returned to offices in North Texas, compared to the 24% national average.

Whether there is a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year or not, changes to traditional office design is inevitable.

Now, instead of the prior trend of high-density workplaces, companies are reconfiguring their offices to be distanced and flexible, while still nurturing collaboration. 

This will include touchless technologies and other designs that emphasize the importance of health and productivity. For instance, the new office project Victory Commons One will include an upgraded HVAC system that includes UV air purification in the building and elevators.

Additionally, developers are looking to eliminate high-touch areas by implementing automated doors, touch-free faucets, voice recognition technology and more.

Reduced capacity in the office will also be essential moving forward, as well as encouraging one-way traffic, implementing a face mask rule and limiting the amount of people in the workplace.

Because workers have expressed the need to come into the office for the socialization and connection with colleagues, it is vital for companies to provide solutions that fulfill the employee experience.