During this pandemic, technology has been a vital lifeline to the outside world. It has done everything from keeping us connected with colleagues to converting in-person large-scale events into virtual ones. Tech supports our daily lives too. From ordering products on-demand to our front door, to helping us manage our health and fitness, and even controlling our home environments.
From a design perspective, technology enables us to create different zones in our commercial interiors at the click of a button. All at once, we can conceive of a project or huddle.
The Future of Office Design
Post-pandemic, as businesses transition back to in-office or hybrid models, emerging technologies will play a critical role in ensuring employee safety and real estate optimization.
A company that quickly adopts technology can optimize their real estate strategy using data-driven processes. This may involve implementing virtual concierges, as well as booking systems for desks, meeting rooms, and lockers. They can also create a healthy work environment with touch-free solutions for things like doors and faucets. Contact tracing will likely become a part of ongoing procedures.
CBRE’s “Future of the Office” report shows that the percentage of organizations anticipating a sharing environment has grown from 43% pre-COVID to 83% in September 2020, demonstrating the growing need for app-based technology.
How Technology Can Help Companies Reopen Their Offices in a Safe Way
Here are some examples of ways technology can help us reopen our offices in a safe and secure way:
- Smartphones as a multi-function device facilitating a work-from-anywhere concept
- Predictable parking when we are able to pre-book spaces remotely
- An app allowing us to check the availability of electric vehicle charge points
- Touch-free access into office buildings
- Reservation of appropriate workspaces and break-out spaces with low density of users in the office through 3D mapping to secure seating in a reliable way
- Record of where, when and who is in the building
- Efficient collaboration technologies to foster seamless conversations both on-site and at home
- Intelligent LED lighting technology to reduce energy output. Detects movements and mimics natural light patterns to regulate workers’ circadian rhythms
- The design of buildings with net-zero carbon emission, low water consumption and negative ecological impacts
- The introduction of digitally intelligent workers(robots) to take over workplace security, safety and other menial tasks
- Sensors to measure data for temperature, humidity, CO2, VOC, and sound levels that are displayed on common area digital wellness dashboards, promoting a culture of care and wellness
In the future, people will drive the workplace, and technology will fuel it. Therefore, it’s the responsibility of the management team to provide their staff with a safe and efficient office environment along with the best available tools and technology. The executives need to prioritize their staff’s safety and well-being.
At Mayhew, we begin the office design process by identifying your needs and collaborating with you to create a brief that outlines your requirements, including the necessary technology, to develop a productive, secure, and safe space for your most valuable asset – your staff.
