How has Covid-19 impacted office design?
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the world of work, and that – inevitably – has affected the way we view the office and our place within it. As the concept of hybrid working has gathered momentum, businesses have increasingly started looking at their workforce and deciding how best to accommodate different working patterns and preferences.
From Carol Chinn our Design Partner
Carol Chinn, Design Partner at The Workspace Consultants, picks up the story. ‘Throughout the pandemic we’ve been working with clients whose offices have been either empty or partially staffed to help them navigate what has appeared to be a future full of uncertainty,’ comments Carol. ‘At one end of the spectrum, we’ve had instances where clients have been looking to remodel their existing space and reduce the number of desks as their teams are working at home or only coming in for one or two days a week, or for the odd meeting here and there. And at the other end of the scale, we’ve been helping clients to downsize or move to a new location and adapt the space to incorporate shared desks, collaboration areas and meeting rooms that can all be used in a Covid-compliant way. At this stage we know that the future is going to be different, but it’s not clear exactly what shape it will take, and the solutions we develop will no doubt be unique to each individual client.’
We've discussed a lot in the last 18 months
Our blog posts over the last 18 months have covered a variety of topics related to Covid-19 and the future of the office, along with our thoughts on various technical aspects of office design and fit out.
In May 2020 we examined The New Normal to assess the impact that Covid-19 would have on the future of the workplace, and many of the findings remain relevant today.
Fast forward to March 2021 and with the onset of another lockdown we reviewed the safety of our offices and the likely impact on the future of office design.
In May, we took a look at hybrid working and how that looks set to be the new modus operandi for businesses of all sizes, especially in terms of the configuration of their office space.
In terms of our technical articles, pre-pandemic we examined how businesses were addressing the health of their employees, and specifically in the choice between games areas and wellness.
And in April this year, our Projects Partner, Mike Bird, explained why it is advisable to engage a client side Project Manager to assist with the design, specification, tender and cost negotiation and contract set prior to signing any documents.
Get in touch
The Workspace Consultants specialise in office design and project management in Cambridge and London, so if you’re considering a redesign or refurbishment, contact us today for an initial discussion.
