Office Design After COVID-19
As the world adopts new ways of working in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SmithGroup’s Workplace Leaders are helping clients develop holistic approaches for returning to the office. Centered around the employee experience, this thought process and approach allow organizations to reimagine their workplaces in a holistic way while ensuring employee safety and well-being remain a top priority. As we take immediate actions in relation to this global crisis, we also seek to Design a Better Future that brings enduring value to our clients and helps us prepare for and create what comes next.
FLEXIBILITY IS KEY IN THE FUTURE OF WORK
Though it began as an unplanned experiment tested under highly unusual circumstances, the knowledge-worker’s recent and extended foray into the world of remote work has ignited an honest and in-depth exploration into the role physical office spaces play within an organization, the level of flexibility that employees expect from their employers, and what companies are willing to embrace moving forward.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR RETURNING TO THE OFFICE AFTER COVID-19
There is much to consider when deciding when and how to invite employees to return to their offices following the COVID-19 pandemic. Though timing and specifics of reintegration plans will vary based upon geography and the unique needs of one’s company, organizations must look holistically at how return to work decisions will impact productivity, efficiency, engagement, culture, collaboration, connectivity, and more. They must also consider the range of emotions that employees will be feeling regarding this experience.
DRIVING CULTURE IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT: LESSONS LEARNED FROM COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the largest work-from-home experiment, forcing various industries to accept that the term workplace now includes any location where work can occur. This concept has changed habits, exposed weaknesses, and created opportunities for employees. Taking this one step further, how will these changes and post-pandemic workplaces ultimately impact an organization’s culture? SmithGroup recently participated in a virtual think tank discussion, hosted by Metropolis, that explored such a topic.
RETURN TO OFFICE SIGNAGE - DESIGN PACKAGE
Human beings have an innate desire to socialize, connect and interact in group settings that inspire and promote innovation and creativity. As businesses begin to return to shared physical workspaces, each organization must determine what this new era of work will look like for their company – giving thoughtful consideration to what adjustments will or will not align with their firm’s mission, vision, brand, culture and values. Part of this decision-making process must include how to properly incorporate supplemental signage to address updated space utilization standards, guide changes in behaviors, and establish new norms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PREPARING OFFICE ENGINEERING SYSTEMS FOLLOWING COVID-19
Office buildings across the country have either been unoccupied or had extremely limited occupancy for the past several months. When it comes to changes or adjustments to building systems, there are reasonable precautions that can help minimize the transmission of the COVID-19 virus and prepare our building systems to be fully functional after being dormant.
RETURN TO THE OFFICE WITH DISTO
Confronted with the realization that COVID-19 has claimed millions of lives, organizations understand that personal safety, health and well-being have become non-negotiable priorities of the utmost importance. So, when the time is right to return to work, companies must demonstrate an unrivaled commitment to protecting employees. Advancements in technology are powering exciting breakthroughs across industries. In the design world, the rise of sophisticated computational tools has empowered teams to automate the repetitive and often time-consuming aspects of their workflows. As a result, experts can devote more time to solving large-scale issues impacting our clients and our world.
CORENET GLOBAL HACKATHON: A COVID-19 VIRTUAL IDEATION EXPERIENCE
In May of 2020, as COVID-19 rippled around the globe, real estate, HR, IT, and corporate leadership teams took extraordinary steps to slow the spread of virus, protect the health and safety of employees, and position their companies to survive the turbulence brought on by the pandemic. To aide in this tremendous effort, CoreNet Global hosted a worldwide hackathon to help the real estate and design communities (as well as their clients) respond to a myriad of challenges posed by the pandemic.
COVID-19 AND THE WORKPLACE: EXPLORING THE POWER OF "E" WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATIONS
In advanced mathematics, the constant “e” (yes, that tiny little lower-case vowel) is a pretty big deal. Frequently used in complex equations, it holds eminent importance – allowing one to explore the most complicated problems with elegant simplicity. In the English language, tacking an “e” onto the end of a word can also be quite powerful, leading to grande variations in meaning, intent and purpose. And in the midst of a global pandemic, “e” is transforming how we see and engage with one another – taking us from human to humane. Will this shift remain once normalcy sets in? Let’s explore.
WORKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
We are in an unusual time marked by more than a little uncertainty about our future. Pondering the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our society, our economy and our profession can be overwhelming. Yet, times like this can also provide an opportunity to reflect on the paradigms and assumptions on which we base our work.
BIOSAFETY BEST PRACTICES TO HELP INFORM EVERYDAY ENVIRONMENTS
SmithGroup’s Science & Technology Practice Director and Senior Lab Planners collectively envisioned what non-scientific environments could learn from laboratory biosafety measures. With a healthier, safer environment as a feasible outcome, it is a possibility worth considering.
BACK TO THE [FUTURE] WORKPLACE
In May 2020, the workplace studios in SmithGroup’s Los Angeles and San Diego offices convened a virtual event with real estate, facilities and workplace leaders to discuss the impacts of the current health crisis on the future of the workplace.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR RETURNING TO THE OFFICE AFTER COVID-19
How can companies create workplaces that help build successful, high-functioning teams and support each unique team member’s physical and mental well-being? Learn from a recent Perspectives panel including real estate directors, human resources professionals and designers who are creating holistic workplaces that actively support the entire employee.
IS COVID-19 HUMANIZING THE WORKFORCE?
The COVID-19 pandemic caused seismic shifts in operations for companies around the world. As we prepare to return to the physical workplace, how can businesses reintegrate staff back into their office in a safe, humane and thoughtful way? SmithGroup Workplace Practice Director, Lise Newman, joined CoreNet Global North Texas Chapter for a virtual panel discussion on safeguarding employees and addressing their concerns as we re-enter the post-pandemic workplace.