The Future of Work: Part 3 - Workplace of the Future

Thursday, June 10, 2021
By Yvette Zingery, Partner - Interior Design / Business Development
In Design, Planning, Community

Acceleration of shifts in the ways we work over the last year ushered in the need to reexamine the physical office. What should the workplace of the future look like? How can we get employees back to the office, after 15 months of successful work-from-home? What type of environment will foster innovation and creativity to drive business into the future? What does a “hybrid” work environment look like? Here, we identify six key workplace features to track as we head into the looming “return to office” and beyond.

COMMUNITY OVER INDIVIDUAL SPACES

The emphasis of “we space” over “me space” is hardly new, as ‘collaboration’ has been a workplace buzzword for the last decade or more. Yet as we uncovered in our Future of Work survey, the primary function of the workplace for many businesses going forward out of the pandemic will be to bring employees together, foster teamwork and mentorship, and enhance company culture. In addition to reducing the number of “owned” workstations, some organizations are reducing the square footage devoted to individual space in favor of more ‘community’ space’. Collaboration areas, meeting rooms, multi-purpose dining areas, work cafes, flexible training rooms, non-traditional conference spaces, and informal lounge areas are all examples of spaces that can best facilitate collaboration. Questioning whether these types of spaces will get used? One way to ensure they do is to equip them with proper technology. Easy access to power for laptops, wi-fi, a monitor to share content, comfortable furniture, and the ability to have video-conferencing style collaboration with remote teammates are a few ways to make sure these collab zones are functional. Additionally, having management utilize the spaces sets the tone for the organization, and signals that employees should feel free to use them as well.

UNASSIGNED WORKSPACES, AKA "FREE ADDRESS"

Many leaders are pondering, if our environment goes “hybrid” does everyone need a designated workspace? Will the office be empty if we don’t require our employees to work a certain number of days in-office? Enter unassigned workspaces, or “free address” workstations (aka “hoteling” workspaces). Instead of having an assigned workspace for all employees, some organizations are opting to instead allow employees to choose a workspace and location that best suits the specific work they are doing. Perhaps you’re working on a project with a particular team for the next week. Now you can reserve a desk adjacent to other team members, where you can remain until the project wraps up. Maybe the team is engaged in a creative process or whiteboarding to solve a problem. This team would be free to find a space in the office, perhaps an enclosed room, or maybe an open space adjacent to a large writable surface or interactive display that would enable them to be most productive.

So who gets a desk and who doesn’t? As a matter of policy, some organizations have taken the approach that if the employee doesn’t commit to working in the office a certain number of days per week, they forfeit their assigned workstation. Sound chaotic? Many larger organizations have adopted software, such as “iOffice” to help manage the desk reservation process. The software can even appear as an app on your mobile device, allowing employees to view open workstations, and reserve them for the time period that they plan to use them.

SMALL, PRIVATE ROOMS FOR VIDEO CONFERENCING

The normalization of Zoom calls as part of normal business has revealed a bigger need for technology-equipped rooms, but also small enclosed spaces for speech privacy. Residents of open floor plan office seating may find it difficult to conduct virtual meetings, with neighbors going about their regular (and sometimes loud) activities. Having private phone rooms, or “Zoom Rooms” will be an important aspect of the physical space – particularly as remote workers have the luxury of “quiet” whenever they need it at home. Many offices have a variety of conference rooms, but most are ill-equipped for virtual meetings. Proper lighting and acoustics are important ingredients, in addition to the right technology.

OUTDOOR SPACE

If you’re looking for a ‘bright side’ to the pandemic, the migration to more outdoor activity could be one of them. Fresh air is great medicine, and turns out, being outside is one of the best places for people to feel safe amid a global pandemic. The popularity of outdoor amenities in workplaces was well underway pre-pandemic, but now even more companies are jumping on board. From outdoor kitchens, patios, walking trails, basketball hoops – and now to actual workspaces outdoors, the trend continues to soar. Google is testing an array of outdoor workspaces including meeting rooms that look more like cabanas in wide open green spaces to offer employees an outside alternative. While we don’t have the luxury of year-round use, even businesses in Northeast Ohio are looking for outdoor amenities – patio season can be greatly extended with some cover from the weather and an outdoor heater or two. And don’t forget the sunshades, reliable WiFi, and comfortable furniture to make the space as functional as possible.

Photo by New York Times via NYT Article

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF GOOD DESIGN

Something that will never go out of style is the power of good design. What will bring employees back to the office? A well-designed, appealing, comfortable environment can make the workplace a true destination for employees.

So how do you use the power of good design to create a destination workplace? Natural light, great furniture (including ergonomic solutions that employees likely don’t have at home), and lots of comfortable, home-like spaces to support quiet work and connecting to colleagues alike. And of course, coffee! (After all, what will we miss most about working from home? Easy access to the kitchen!) The good news is that you can create a great work environment that employees won’t want to miss – and can’t be replicated at home. We are hearing a lot of buzz around “amenities” at work. This is not just a trend for Google – offering perks at work that employees can’t refuse is something that leadership everywhere is seriously considering.

HEALTHY MIND, HEALTHY BODY

In many profound ways, the pandemic reemphasized the importance of maintaining physical and mental health. More than ever before, effective business leaders are considering ways to prioritize wellness for their employees. Fitness centers and walking trails are a few ways that larger companies have provided for physical health, but smaller companies can find creative options too. One of our clients is considering adding a golf simulator to their office – that is a first.

To address both physical and mental health of employees, organizations like the International WELL Building Institute have created a roadmap for businesses to prioritize the health by developing a standard to achieve a healthy work environment. Strategies used in the WELL building standard include opportunities to improve employee health at work, access to mental health support, and encouraging healthy choices in every facet of daily life. Learn more about how to incorporate WELL into your business strategy here.

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