The Post-Covid Office Space: 5 Future Predictions

The pandemic has dramatically changed the way we work, resulting in questions being asked over the role of the office in the future.

We have seen a number of developments in the office design world that give insight into what the future may hold.  We look at some those developments and how they are shaping the office of the future. Read on for our five predictions…

A New Role for the Office

Not only has video technology made it possible for businesses to function during the pandemic, but it also has opened their eyes to the possibility of long-term flexible working.

If businesses adopt the flexible model full time, they will have to re-define the role of the office. For example, it may be used to host clients, promote the organisation’s culture and provide a space for collaboration. The home, on the other hand, will likely be used primarily for independent work.

With 62% of senior executives and 58% of entry-level saying they want to alternate between the home and office, we expect to see many companies switching to this hybrid working model.

Offices That Support Inclusivity

In our recent blog on wellbeing in the workplace, we looked at how one London office is being transformed to support diversity in the workplace. The space will be fully accessible to address the needs of those with mobility, sensory, mental and neurological issues. It will also provide hundreds of “unassigned” workstations to fit different work and personality preferences.

A Rise in Co-Working and Flex Offices

The pandemic will undoubtedly give rise to more freelancers and start-ups, so we expect to see spaces popping up to cater to the growing “gig economy”.

Such spaces include co-working and flexible offices. Typically, members pay a monthly fee to use the space, making it a viable alternative to a fixed address. 

Offices Geared for Better Wellbeing

It can be said that businesses will learn some valuable lessons from the pandemic. Addressing how physical and mental health has been impacted due to COVID-19 is shaping future workplace wellbeing. Here are a few considerations:

• Improved Air Quality
• Exercise-Enabling Spaces
• A Hybrid Approach
• A Re-Defined Use of Space

Addressing staff wellbeing can reap financial rewards for businesses, there’s no doubt that everyone will benefit from a pro-wellbeing approach.

Some offices will likely take on a new role due to a rise in flexible working. For some businesses, this will mean that there will be some space left over to play with. The question for those companies will be “how can that space be optimised”?

For some, one solution will be to “sub-let” a portion of the office. This requires permission from the landlord and, if granted, can be a shrewd way of optimising the extra space.

Others may simply keep the space to themselves but hire a refurbishment company to create an agile environment.

Many businesses are also redefining the role of their front of house space and team.  A survey by the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management shows 57% of businesses are implementing new technology to help with the front of house duties while 35% are reducing the size of their teams as a result of COVID-19.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3nesvuh

As refurbishment contractors, we’re looking forward to seeing — and being a part of — further developments as we move closer to a post-COVID world.

To book a free consultation with one of the leading refurbishment companies in the UK, call 0333 600 1234 or email [email protected].