“The open-plan movement had great intentions to break hierarchical structures and encourage collaboration,” Hanley explains. “But many of these spaces were not executed well and didn’t take into account privacy and different work styles, needs and preferences. Instead of one open layout, the most effective workplace environments incorporate a diversity of spaces for different kinds of tasks and individual ways of working.”
“Owners are factoring in the changing needs in real estate related to the rise of remote work,” Bay says. “Companies embracing a hybrid approach long-term most likely want to reduce square footage and redesign their office spaces to accommodate a variety of work styles. The open office is still desirable, although it’s starting to look different than it has over the last decade. The office of the future has an increased emphasis on a balance of collaboration and quiet work with amenities, like lounge seating and huddle spaces, to create a sense of community for employee groups.”
PEOPLE FIRST
These changes and trends are recognition that the focus in office design needs to be on people more than on the building and the systems within. The structure should serve the occupants, not the other way around.
“People-first design is more important than ever,” Morton says. “This was particularly evident at NeoCon 2022 as leading manufacturers showcased innovative solutions to promote employee satisfaction, comfort, and productivity—from ergonomic and tech- integrated modular and adaptable furniture to enhanced collaborative tools and products that support neurodiversity, biophilia and wellbeing.”
The COVID pandemic also underlined the importance of good indoor environmental quality in the design of office spaces. To encourage people to gather and collaborate, these spaces must first make occupants feel safe and healthy.
“People have a greater awareness about the impact indoor air quality has on health and wellbeing, and companies and their designers are responding,” Bay says. “Air purifiers with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation systems can be used in office spaces to purify the air. These systems started being used during the pandemic and should be considered a priority, even post-pandemic. The air-filtration systems remove microscopic pollen and allergens, bacteria and mold, chemicals, odors and gases, all of which can impact people’s health and how they feel in the environment. Beyond employers, this is something building owners need to prioritize, as well.”
LESS IS MORE
Although the office of the future will almost certainly be a healthier, more comfortable and inviting space, the fact is that remote and hybrid working conditions will likely continue and companies may become more targeted in their office space design. Quality, rather than quantity, is the focus.
“We bid a seven-floor project for a client at the beginning of the pandemic,” Holub recalls. “It was held for over a year and when it came back, they decided to go with two floors only, break away from the traditional planning and focus of the open collaborative environment. This was something out of the ordinary for them, but it really worked to their advantage. The space is one of the coolest environments I’ve seen built and the employee survey results were incredible. Almost everyone who completed it said they’d come back to work in the new environment, even with the option to work at home.”
As companies right-size their physical footprint and build efficiencies around office, remote and hybrid work, we’ll likely see increased attention on utilizing less space but making it as inviting and productive as possible.
“We are working with a sock manufacturer out of Manhattan that transitioned to a hybrid-remote company where employees are only required to go to the office once per week,” Clarkson says. “Because of this change to hybrid, the company was able to move to a smaller office space, reducing their monthly lease cost. Startups and small businesses are the ones where we will see more reduction in office space due to the cost savings.”
PHOTOS: Bruce Damonte