WORKPLACE design is changing as COVID-19 disrupts expectations for both employees and employers, creating new and accelerating existing trends.
JLL’s report, The A-Z of Future Workplace Design’, outlines new guidelines for changes needed in a post-COVID or COVID-normal working space, highlighting the need for shifts not just in health and safety from infection, but generating a future proof culture.
“Office design will need to reflect the different users and their requirements and that means transformation for office space. Occupiers have acknowledged, embraced and are actively changing their workplace models to adapt to this new world. Growing numbers of landlords are also accepting this reality,” said Anthony Walsh, head of workplace design, project and development services at JLL.
With lease expiry dates approaching, business leaders can no longer put off corporate real estate portfolio decisions, whether this means re-sizing or re-organizing. Reducing density will likely be essential, providing safer spaces through increased social distance, anticipatory technology to prevent crowds and queues and better air filtration and air distribution systems.
“There is a widely held view that COVID-19 has permanently disrupted ‘work’ from ‘place’, and each organisation is looking to find the balance that optimises productivity, their real estate portfolio and employee experience,” said Walsh.
JLL purports a need for a renewed emphasis on employee health and well-being in workplace design, creating community in workplaces as many people return to the office. Corporate design should take inspiration from hospitality and blend biophilic design, integrated technology and wellness seamlessly into concierge and greeting zones.
With teams working remotely, C-suite and Corporate Real Estate leaders and Human Resources but create an environment that enables productivity and business resilience. This will require a culture driven by newly developed habits and behaviour, as well as input from consultants and designers. Leaders should also expect large employees working from home not just out of necessity but out of choice.
“Those organisations who want to move their workplace into the future will need to consider how the behaviours and trends we have witnessed in the past nine months will grow more significant and influence office design and fit-out.”
Business headquarters should be treated as a home base that provides employees with amenities and activities that can’t be experienced elsewhere, as well as creating social interactions that boost community and create a culture that attracts and retains talent.
“We have now gone beyond the legacy workplace models offering flexible working. The next normal will be a work space that will need to cater for all types of users – not just work from the office or work from home.”
This will mean different models of working from home, with each organisation determining the suitable ratio of remote workers after observing variables such as social distancing measures, the day of the week, business seasonality, nature of the work or company culture to take WFH to the level that functions operationally, culturally and financially.
