The Office 2.0: Our thoughts on the future of the workplace
Opinion
The Office 2.0: Our thoughts on the future of the workplace
To put it mildly, 2020 has been a struggle.
We should all be proud of the way we’ve risen to the challenges it’s brought by finding new ways to collaborate, create and continue to deliver our products and services in such uncertain times.
A compelling case has been made for working at home. We’ve proven it’s still very much possible to get things done and the time and money clawed back from the daily commute is an obvious benefit. But has 2020 heralded the end of office culture? We don’t think so.
No amount of video conferencing can replace those chance encounters and coffee break chats that lead to brilliant new ideas in the physical workplace.
In fact, if one good thing has come from the pandemic, it’s been the opportunity to completely reinvent the workplace.
Gone are the days of cramming as many people and desks as possible into a space. Now, employee wellbeing and cultivating a culture of collaboration, flexibility and inclusivity will take centre stage. Sounds good to us.
Here are some of the ways that offices will be evolving in the post-pandemic world to become environments where people are supported and cared for more than ever before.
Space
Social distancing just might be a blessing in disguise when it comes to office design. As this measure will continue to be enforced while the vaccine is rolled out over the coming months, it’s essential for employers and landlords to ensure that every inch of floorspace is properly utilised.
Frankly, there’s never been a better time to carry out a workplace consultancy project. Not only will the service enable you to engage with your staff at this crucial moment, it will give you the insights you need to create positive change within your workplace.
You may discover that you could benefit from a more flexible, home-based working model in future, allowing you to prioritise collaboration and wellness spaces in your office. You could even find that relocation to smaller premises would be feasible, which in turn will help you to make valuable cost savings during a time of economic uncertainty.
Regional hubs
It’s likely that people will no longer be willing to once again subject themselves to the tyranny of the daily commute. This will mean that organisations begin to shift focus away from large city-based HQs, instead choosing to set up smaller, regional offices that promise a shorter, less stressful commute for staff.
This approach will come with its own challenges but offers a great opportunity for organisations to create strong brand experiences in these smaller offices in order to maintain a consistent workplace culture throughout.
Cat A+
For many businesses who are thinking about relocating or taking up office space, this may not be the time to commit to a full Cat B fit out. But there is a fantastic opportunity for landlords to offer the perfect solution to these businesses thanks to Cat A+, a new type of fit out project that delivers high-quality, fully furnished spaces that are ready for tenants to occupy immediately.
Strong brand experiences
Attracting and retaining top talent is more important than ever. We’ll see companies doing this by using design to make a bold statement about their brands and workplace culture.
Banks of desks may become a thing of the past
Even once we can make a full return to the office, it’s likely that many will continue to work from home one or two days a week, perhaps saving tasks that require quiet concentration for those days. That could mean the end of traditional banks of desks. Instead, workplaces may become more akin to hotel receptions or hospitality lounges. Designers will focus on creating fluid, sociable spaces that prioritise sustainability, wellbeing and collaboration.
Catering to more personalities
We suspect that introverts the world over rejoiced when we were instructed to work from home. The past year has given us a greater appreciation for the fact that not everyone works the same. The workplace of the future will be more attentive to the needs of different personality types. Extroverts will have the chance to socialise and brainstorm in bustling communal hubs while their quieter colleagues will have a place to focus without needing to work with their headphones all day.
Home away from home
The idea of bringing home comforts into the workplace is not new in office design. However, having spent the best part of a year at home, where we have created a space that supports our individual wellbeing, many people may feel hard pushed to return to a communal working arrangement. Employers will need to engage with their staff to deliver exactly what they need to feel as happy, healthy and supported in the workplace as they do at home.
Companies do have their work cut out to tempt staff back out of their homes.
But we’re determined to ensure that 2020 doesn’t mark the end of the office and the benefits it brings.
We want to help businesses look back on it as the year they transformed the way they work for the better.
Get in touch
Want to learn more?
Our experts are here to guide and support you through your project.