PANDEMIC PANIC

 
 
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Last spring, as Eastlake Studio went fully remote, we took time to reflect on how current events could change the future of workplace design. It was apparent that the COVID-19 pandemic was instantly impacting work style preferences, and changing the perception of workplace well-being.  

We began the way we always begin, by asking questions. We prepared a survey to send to colleagues, clients, and collaborators touching on a wide array of concerns centered around wellness, including:

  • Do you have the proper technology to support remote work?

  • Has working remotely been a positive experience? Are you surprised by your ability to successfully adapt to working from home? 

  • Is remote flexibility something you will look for in future jobs? 

  • How has social distancing impacted your organization’s culture? 

  • How do you feel safe around others, and how will you help others feel safe?

 
 
 
 
 

83% of those surveyed wouldn’t consider a new job without remote working opportunities.

 
 
 

40% of people think their engagement at work has increased while working from home. 20% say it has decreased slightly. The rest feel it has remained consistent.

 
 
 
 
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85% of respondents believed their companies will quickly adopt new long term strategies that support remote working, and returning to the office after COVID-19.

 
 
 

The data we gathered had recurring themes, which we have examined in preparation for returning to our own studio and in the greater context of workplace design.  

  • How do we mitigate disease transfer in high-touch surfaces, and high-traffic spaces? 

  • How should leaders take proactive measures in promoting safety and wellness inside of  the office, and in remote working scenarios? 

  • How do we continue to foster connections and encourage collaboration, despite distance?

  • How do we balance life and work now? Deep focus may be easier for some from home, but tech overload could increase stress.

 
 
 

Fear and concern about returning to work has been palpable. Here are some initial reactions we have discussed as a studio.  

  • Post-quarantine, people will be sensitive to acoustics and social gatherings in the workplace. There will be less ad-hoc and in-person collaboration as people continue social distancing. Meetings will be shorter, and meeting rooms will be booked based on size appropriate for distancing. 

  • There will be concerns about hygiene, air quality, and surfaces. There will also be sensitivities to chemical cleaning products and offices should plan for eco-friendly options. 

  • Those who will flock back to the office will do so because they miss human interaction.  They may also be searching for contrast and boundaries between their home and work environments. Many will be fearful of returning to work and will look to leadership and colleagues to be sensitive and responsive to their concerns. 

  • From a real estate perspective, tenants will be hesitant to take on long lease commitments, and large, out of pocket spends.

 
 
 
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When speaking with our clients, and thinking of our own return to the studio, one thing became clear. All workplaces MUST formulate a re-entry plan, which contains proactive methods to keep their staff healthy and safe.

The plan should include general cleanliness practices, like keeping disinfecting wipes near high touch areas and creating sanitation stations throughout the office. Keeping flexible schedules for the staff, varying their days in the office, and allowing immune compromised individuals to continue working remotely is also recommended. 

Before the return, an office should implement tools for measuring occupancy usage for personal and communal zones.  This will help determine a proper allocation of space per person. 

Free address work areas may not be popular, initially, but with more people working remotely, they will be a necessity. In the short term, office amenities, such as conference centers, lounges, and cafes, can accommodate remote workers until data is available to show how often they need in-office workspace.

Along with an increased remote allowance, dense work areas should be shifted to semi-private collaboration areas outfitted with video technology for easy plug and play capability. Flexible space dividers can be used to provide acoustic privacy, and can double as functional surfaces, such as white boards, tackable textiles, and storage. In a more thorough re-entry plan, floor handles, faucets, and light switches can be retrofitted to be touchless.  

Details of what is being done to protect against COVID-19, including any expansion of the building’s janitorial services, should be clearly communicated by leadership. In addition, a checklist of CDC guidelines and Fitwel/Well recommendations can be used to guide the transition to a more sanitary workplace. 

Fitness, meditation, massage, healthy foods, and other wellness gestures and incentives can help emphasize the values of safety and wellbeing to the staff. Rallying around common goals and giving back to those affected by COVID-19 and other community efforts can help foster employee engagement and grow company culture.

 
 
 
 

You get a laptop, you get a laptop!

Personal technology will be required in the post-COVID-19 era. Desk phones will be hands-free or eliminated completely. There will be an emphasis on high-speed Wi-Fi, VPN networks, cloud-based servers, and security protection. Many will use CAT6A data cabling for speed and reliability, and new software for sharing data easily.

In the office, low tech spaces may need to be converted for video conferencing and other technology. As tech tools become more innovative and in demand, AV costs could be lower than ever before. 

 
 
 

Flexibility will be essential in the future office, even more so than it is now. 

Smaller neighborhoods of open desking, ranging from 10-30 people, will help allow teams to grow and shrink easily. Natural light, accessibility to leadership, and cost of construction and furniture will all be considerations. If workstations need a 6x6 minimum footprint, privacy screens are recommended.  There will also be an increase in reservable phone rooms and single-occupancy touchdown spaces equipped with intuitive technology, along with wellness rooms. More on this in section 2.

 
 
Eastlake Studio