The COVID-19 pandemic has become a game changer to how we define ‘the office’ in the more traditional sense. The conventional sense of the physical structure and location of the workplace is now redefined in both purpose and design. Today’s office goes beyond this traditional definition and is now described in terms of both the space, social interactions, and the emotional and mental facilities.
According to The Economist, offices of the future will cover both a homely and workspace environment – capitalizing or optimizing on SPACE and TIME. People have transformed their homes into office spaces and likewise, ‘the office’ is now more homely – with more social interaction facilities (e.g., relaxation facilities, restaurants, bars, indoor games.)
Hybrid Workspace
Hybrid working (a few days at home plus, a few days at the office) is now the new normal – thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Office-based workers have now established that they could be more productive in different work environments that oscillate between home, work office, and even on-transit – day and night hours notwithstanding. New job seekers will also be more interested in jobs that offer more remote work or a hybrid working schedule. However, this will call for a high level of trust, integrity, and transparency between both employers and employees. Moreover, real estate investors are likely to move towards the ‘hub and spoke model’ [The Economist] where more office spaces are established in the residential areas or closer to homes. In the coming months and years will be interesting to watch on how working and office space change in a post-pandemic world.
BY VKagonya