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The need for office space has fluctuated many times in the past, but a new report has identified a method that calculates the ideal amount of space needed per worker.
Taking into account the shift to remote and flexible working, the The Future of UK Office Densities report commissioned by the British Council for Offices (BCO) suggests that the amount of office space per person should sit between 10 to 12 square meters (roughly 107 to 130 square feet).
In 2018, office density in the UK came to around 9.6 square meters per desk, which teters on the edge of occupant discomfort and poor work performance.
By opting for this amount of office space, the BCO says that companies can provide workers with the environmental support to be productive and healthy, while also limiting their carbon emissions.
This new recommendation addresses some of the common problems seen with higher office densities, such as noisiness, distractions, overcrowding and overall health and safety.
“The pandemic has prompted many organisations to adopt a greater amount of agile and hybrid working, resulting in suggestions that there will be a dramatic reduction in the amount of office space they require,” said Richard Kauntze, CEO of the BCO.
“However, the BCO’s latest research shows that this is partially offset by adoption of a more generous ratio of space-per-person, as employers seek to attract their staff to the office and to support productivity by providing an environment that promotes wellbeing and collaboration.”
