Companies have started renovating their office space in preparation for what they think the future of the workspace will require.
Now that the world is beginning to reopen, leaders are faced with the task of implementing new strategies that meet employee expectations, or risk losing them altogether.
“In a hybrid world, the reality is that most spaces opened before 2020 are simply not designed to support new work dynamics and to fully enable innovation, collaboration, and socialization,” said Michael Casolo, Chief Revenue Officer at workplace strategy firm Unispace. “That being said, the vast majority of companies are taking a ‘wait-and-see’ approach before instituting major design changes to their offices to reflect its new purpose.”
To address these new needs, companies are looking to flexible office design changes, such as designing the workspace to feel more hospitable to mimic the feel of a living room.
“[They’re] not just installing new furniture to achieve this aesthetic,” said Casolo. “Organizations are also trying to replicate how employees moved through their day while working from home.”
What this means is outfitting the space in a more natural way, rather than just installing rows of desks and chairs. Providing agility and a healthy flow in the office will be crucial to replicating the atmosphere of working from home.
For instance, Unispace recently designed Kroll’s Fulton Market office in Chicago, taking a “neighborhood” approach that features high ceilings, collaborative spaces, a cafe, greenery, and natural lighting.
This isn’t just a nice-to-have either — last year JLL released a report that showed how important technology and wellness-oriented spaces would be in the future of office design. JLL suggested that as distributed workforces become more common, these companies will require more technology than the average office.
Not only is technology driving the need for an office reboot, but the impact traditional workspaces and policies have on underrepresented communities also necessitates new office design.
“Giving people who may not wish to return to the physical workplace due to past discrimination a genuine say in how they can do their best work in an office environment, post-pandemic is a key took to support organizations’ DEIB strategy,” said Casolo. “Spaces designed for a sense of belonging and inclusion highlight an organization’s commitment to make cultural change possible.”
