Developers have had to pivot their strategies in order to accommodate new demands from clients over workspace design and amenities.
The past year has altered how people view the office and the employee experience within the office. With this comes the need for a more wellness-oriented design that not only focuses on air quality, but also incorporates green spaces, collaborative areas, private offices, access to outdoor spaces and more.
For instance, Dallas-based developer De La Vega Development had to change their plans for mixed-use project The Central after the pandemic hit.
“On the ground plane, we already had quite a bit of open space with the park and we already had patios [in the designs],” said Artemio De La Vega, CEO of De La Vega Development. “But with the second floor, the top floor and some of the floors in between, we’ve added more terraces and more open space with an emphasis on having these terraces become private gardens that connect with the public garden downstairs — that being the park.”
In addition to this health-focused shift, De La Vega added that the firm is also incorporating more natural materials like wood and natural lighting.
Another project, the Two Legacy West office tower, has been meeting with architect Gensler to find a healthy balance between collaborative workspaces and outdoor areas equipped with Wi-Fi.
