People, sustainability, and tech at forefront of office design

Getting people back in the office after the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns has been both a challenge to employers and an opportunity to evaluate and improve their setup for current staff, for new recruits, and for the wider community, writes Kevin Daniells, Lead Property Manager at Eddisons Fareham Office. 

Taking inspiration from organisations that focus on net zero goals and saving money through digitisation, the commercial property sector is being revolutionised by putting people, sustainability, and technology at the forefront.  

Design trends come and go, but no more so than the past five years. Hi-tech co-working spaces and deluxe benefits packages have entered the mainstream. Providing ‘work perks’ is a short-term way to regain that pre-COVID attendance, but really changing the office for those who properly use it will sustain that attendance for longer.  

Keeping sustainability in mind  

The term ‘eco-friendly’ has become jargon that people use without thinking, but design that is truly beneficial to the environment is critical to the continuation of commercial office property.  

Using sustainable materials like timber and repurposed metal and masonry can not only contribute to your green credentials, but also keep construction costs low. Systems that focus on waste reduction and energy efficiency are also novel ways to stretch your sustainability strategies into the long-term. Inter-office recycling schemes, bike sheds/locker areas, and EV charging stations are great for larger office spaces looking to ‘do their bit’ and can encourage people to be green at home too.  

Supercharging the everyday with technology  

Make technology available and accessible for all, to support remote working and collaboration. Tools like voice and movement-activated conferencing aids and connected devices like interactive boards have bridged the gap between remote and office working. Changes like this also include improving internet connectivity to increase productivity when lots of people are in.  

Some commercial offices are choosing to oversee their spaces with building management systems that can control HVAC solutions, meeting rooms, parking space limits and more – all from one online dashboard. Capturing and analysing the data from BMSs like MaintainX and Infraspeak can help managers make hard decisions based on data collected from occupants.  

The obvious benefits here are to decrease energy costs and see how to better utilise unused office space. However, there is also an opportunity to see how occupants feel about their space and how they themselves would optimise their area.  

Putting your people first  

Investing in technology and sustainability is key to entice your workforce, but this will only work for a while. Occupants need spaces where the design suits their changing needs. 

Larger offices can foster open spaces for collaboration whilst creating private areas for informal meetings and focused work. In smaller offices, using modular furniture can change an office layout to accommodate different working styles.  

Creating a vibrant and engaging workspace will organically grow a company’s culture. Incorporating natural light, greenery, and areas to focus and destress will help to simulate home working environments.  

However, above everything, safety and accessibility should be the top priority. Consistent wellbeing and good mental health are key tenets to productivity, and ensuring people of all abilities can do their job without issue is paramount.  

The diverse needs of a workforce should inform your building’s accessibility features. Making sure all areas are accessible for disabled people should be a given. But it doesn’t stop there: long-term decisions around H&S protocols including air quality and social distancing must be considered, even when they aren’t currently in vogue.  

By considering these factors, organisations can create a workplace that not only meets current needs but is also adaptable to future changes in technology, sustainability and most of all its people. 

For more information: eddisons.com