Ian Tew, Partner at Knight Frank Newcastle, shares his expertise on improving offices.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a huge spotlight on offices. On their relevance – do we even need them? On their functions – what do we need them for? Exactly? On their attractiveness. How do we make them places people want to return to? So, I’ll tell you what we’re seeing. The trends. And, some solutions. There are many physical changes – large and small – you can make to help achieve an office that works for you.
Achieving agile
We are seeing the trend for enabling an ‘agile workforce’ rocket. This has been on the rise for some time, influenced by technology and staff demands, but the pandemic has accelerated the need for it. Being ‘agile’ basically means, offices need to support employees to work how, where and when they choose – by giving them all the technology and tools they need to do this.
We have recently been working for a professional services firm on a refurbishment and the client has changed their requirement due to Covid-19. They are taking less space than originally planned because their team is enjoying working from home. Their goal now, is to make their office higher quality and a better, more enjoyable, inspiring experience for their people.
There is an ever-hastening trend of replacing ‘owned desks’ with different types of space depending on the task. Landlords are likely to see an increased demand for space that has already been, or will be, fitted-out. This could be a consequence of financial pressures on a business, or because moving into a quality space that is already complete and Covid-safe – is easier.
We are actively working on creating some of these ‘enhanced rentals’ for clients and predicting more of this to come. Whether that be marketed in a finished form. Or fitted-out as part of a transaction deal.
Technology
Tech has a huge role to play in supporting safer, user-friendly office spaces in security, health and managing the environment we work in. Simple changes are possible. Such as the use of available apps to enable work-station bookings. Apps that show you when your office is busy, and which parts of it are less populated etc. All very clever.
There are simple sensors that automate taps, doors and flushes for hygiene. There is a new focus on expanding integration of these things and to make more use of intelligence, including sensors that monitor users’ temperatures, for example.
There is a need to significantly reduce touch points in an office. Businesses are installing temporary devices to enable opening doors with your feet. Superloos are on the rise because they help us socially distance by including a sink and toilet in one space. The list goes on
There is a new emphasis on increasing ventilation rates, air filtration and air monitoring. Microbe resistant surfaces are growing in demand. Paperless and clutter-free offices that are easily cleaned, are being enabled.
Re-inventing redundant space
And finally, the spaces within offices are being reinvented and repurposed to make them more suited to a socially-distanced world. This doesn’t have to be limiting and, with well-considered-design, can add attractive features to offices, including in space that was previously deemed redundant.
For example, roof spaces and outside land is being turned into alfresco or partially covered areas for employees to meet and work. Basements and stairwells are being looked at in a different light – can these be used in a more useful way, too? Cycle storage, possibly? Interior walls are coming down and being reconfigured to minimise bustle.
Make your office about people
More than ever before, your office space needs to be attractive. If you want your employees back in the office, we are advising that you find out what they miss about it. Respond and adapt. Is it the collaboration? The social interaction? If so, how can you physically change your spaces to enable this, in a safer way?
Do they appreciate a change of scenery? Could your office be more inspiring? We’re noticing a trend for office interiors that enliven and improve user wellbeing. For instance, by introducing nature, like plant walls. By embracing the bold and ditching the boring.
There’s growing evidence that quality and wellthought-out workplaces which incorporate natural elements like plants, light, colours and shapes, have noticeable and measurable benefits. There’s generally room for improvement in every office.
Ian Tew works in the Building Consultancy and Project Management team at Knight Frank in Newcastle. He can be contacted at ian.tew@knightfrank.com 0191 594 5012.
