The outdoor workspace has long been praised as an environment that rejuvenates and inspires workers, and there has never been a better time for companies to incorporate this design into their physical workplace.
During the pandemic, some companies gladly implemented new outdoor spaces to keep their employees safe and at a distance from coworkers. But this type of arrangement has numerous benefits beyond the health crisis.
For instance, real estate firm Related Companies and coworking operator Industrious recently partnered up for a project called Yard Work, located in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards development.
The 7-acre outdoor space serves as a meeting and collaboration space, and features accommodations that can fit up to 28 people, a swing-set style seating area, sound-buffered work pods, as well as high-speed internet and charging stations.
Another example of companies embracing this trend is ad agency McKinney, which recently revamped its outdoor space to become a collaborative environment. The company’s outdoor area now features furniture, videoconferencing technology and more.
“Public spaces inspire people every day, and inspire them to do their best work,” said Philippe Visser, President at Related Companies. “People have been locked up during COVID and are starved for human interaction. This is literally a breath of fresh air.”
