There is no doubt the pandemic has had a massive impact on how we use our office spaces. With remote work being so popular and successful, office spaces needed to be completely re-imagined.
These changes are intended to make working spaces safer and more flexible; to provide employees with different areas and ways to safely, but efficiently carry out their workday.
So, it’s essential that you find a contractor you can trust to take you through the latest trends.
The Impact of Covid-19 on the Office Space
The need for office space as we know it has completely changed. With the option to successfully work from home (many employees still doing so), office spaces need to be far more adaptable.
There is far more focus now on the health and wellbeing of employees. For example, workspaces must adhere to the social distancing guidelines.
In this way, bigger and more open-plan collaborative spaces have increased in popularity.
This is also because employees rely on the workspace primarily for collaborative work.
General Flexible Office Space Trends
If you’re unable to do a total office revamp, there are a few changes you can make to ensure that your space stays on-trend and flexible.
Use Glass Partitioning
No more drywall! The main focus of office spaces post Covid-19 is interaction. So, even when employees are working in their own areas, it’s vital that they feel as though they’re interacting.
A great way to achieve this is to separate workspaces with glass partitioning.
Introducing Break Out Spaces
Even with the increase in collaborative spaces and open-plan offices, employees may still need a place to have a private time out.
We have seen a significant increase in break-out spaces that allow employees a brief moment of separation and quiet time.
The purpose of this alone time is not just to eat lunch or catch up on social media. Instead, it’s a space to break away from your desk to aid productivity.
Increase Light In The Room
A room well-lit with natural light is so imperative for productivity. Flexible office spaces are all about making a workspace more comfortable and enticing.
Several studies have shown that the absence of natural light has left employees unhappy in their work environment.
So, it’s a no-brainer that the perfect office design would have a great light flow. This means adding more windows to your office design. But, if your budget is a little tight or it’s not possible to add windows, there are other ways to aid light flow.
Some of these include:
· Creating an open-plan space
· Adding mirrors to the office
· Add transom windows above doors and existing windows
Flexibility In Specific Industries
Workspace flexibility, however, is not always a one size fits all approach. It is crucial that you create a space that works for you, your employees, and your industry.
Let’s take a look at some flexible office solutions that may work for you:
Medical Office Spaces
It is essential that your dental or medical office maximizes both space and productivity.
In other words, the space should be functional and provide a spacious waiting area that allows clients to adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols.
Another functional space to add would be a private space for medical professionals to consult with patient files and collaborate with other medical practitioners.
We have also seen an increase in cleanrooms in medical and dental practices. This is the practice of creating a room that allows practitioners to sanitize and dress in appropriate safety equipment.
Professional Services Office Spaces
With employees working remotely, many corporate and professional services offices require more open-plan multi-use spaces.
In other words, enclosed individual offices are a thing of the past.
Workspaces are now all about collaborative rooms that encourage social distancing and concepts like hot-desking.
Hot-desking is especially popular when creating a flexible workspace. It is essentially a system where different employees use desks on different days of the week.
It is also a great way to ensure that Covid-19 safety protocols are followed. The concept is based on open plans and spacious working areas, which encourage social distancing.
Final Thoughts on Flexible Office Spaces
Office life as we know it has changed completely, so it’s important to keep up with the trends.
A flexible office space not only provide a more productive space for your employees, but it is also a great way for you to maximize space and profits.
So, if you’re planning an office revamp in the near future, be sure to reach out to a professional at Chad Fisher Construction to assist you with creating the perfect flexible workspace for your business.