COVID-19 has dismantled everything we knew about office design. Now, architects and designers are shifting their strategies to emphasize the importance of safety and health.
โThese are big issues and concerns driving design these days,โ said Amy Sjursen, Director at Architecture with Big Red Rooster. โThe dynamics of how people do things and how someone interacts with space has changed in such a short time and will continue to change.โ
This new outlook on building design will range beyond physical health. The employee experience is at the front of everyoneโs minds as mental health issues continue to rise.
โWhat started with ramps for people in wheelchairs or braille on elevators signs for the blind has now morphed into a much broader understanding of design empathy,โ said Sjursen. โHow can we use a holistic approach that anticipates othersโ experience and creates an environment that works for everyoneโs emotional and physical needs?โ
In order to protect employeesโ mental health, Sjursen said that obvious changes like increased cleaning and plexiglass dividers highlight just how different things are at the moment, prompting uncomfortable feelings.
However, it is essential to keep workers safe with these reminders. Therefore, companies should support their wellness by offering tools and resources that make handling stress easier and more accessible.
