One thing is for sure: The home office has now been firmly established as a place of work that is easily equal to any other place of business. The experts agree that we will be continuing to work from home even once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided – especially when it comes to activities that require a quiet, concentrated atmosphere. Aside from this, the virus has washed away with a great many certainties. In many cases it forces us to reinvent how we work.
Researchers, designers, architects and not lastly producers of office furniture have already weighed in on the debate with suggestions and predictions. If more people stay away from the office to compile presentations, write concepts and look through files, then fewer work places will inevitably be required by the companies. As a consequence, office spaces may shrink in the medium term. Digital booking systems and occupancy schedules make it possible to oversee which members of staff are in attendance in which areas of the office at all times.
One solution for larger companies could be to opt for smaller offices spread across different regions, so-called hubs, that are easier for employees to reach. This will eliminate journeys taken in crowded trains and busses, and fewer people will mingle in the workplace.
The character of central offices and corporate headquarters will without doubt continue to change, with the trend going away from the traditional office and towards the meeting place, where ideas can be bounced around and social interaction can ensue. Because the pandemic has once more proven that the old chestnut continues to hold true: A working world does not function entirely without personal contact in the long run. Spontaneous conversations, chance encounters and an occasional change of place foster creativity, well-being and productivity.
What could the safe, hygienic work environment of the future look like? Furniture makers such as Vitra, Steelcase, Wilkhahn or Sedus, as well as planning offices like Designfunktion have developed scenarios and guidelines. The publications are available online fuss-free via their websites signed to support companies in adapting their spaces to the hygiene specifications and distancing rules. They offer pragmatic advice when it comes to reconfiguring work spaces, especially with regards to reducing density. Further measures include: reducing the occupancy rate of meeting rooms, more intensive cleaning, and providing staff with training as relates to safe social interaction. Companies may also consider hiring a barista in order to avoid the coffee kitchen getting too crowded.