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Changing workspace designs

While hybrid working is high on the 'ways of working' agenda, there are several other key factors that commercial landlords cannot ignore in workspace designs and employers are encouraged to consider them in their policies.

Fundamental drivers such as the office's role, climate crisis, virtualisation, diversity and inclusion, and health and wellbeing have been reshaping working patterns for some time now and increasingly so in the last few years.

The IWG: Future of Work paper put it succinctly: "Out go banks of workstations on open-plan floors, to be replaced by spaces for collaboration, creativity and socialising."

Employees elect where they choose to work based on whether they need spaces to collaborate or concentrate. Younger employees or those in junior roles also tend to visit the office more to learn from senior colleagues. Ultimately, employers are challenged with creating an ecosystem of workspaces that fosters productivity and opportunity.

The push for companies to reach net zero carbon can benefit considerably from adopting a flexible working policy. An IWG study found that a switch could reduce urban carbon emissions by as much as 70% in London due to less frequent commuting and using environmentally efficient shared spaces.

Regarding environmental credentials in the design of spaces, regulations are getting tighter, and tenant expectations are rising. As a result, buildings with high sustainability certifications can charge tenants higher rents.

Improvements in workplace environmental quality are closely linked to reducing carbon emissions but can also improve the employee experience during office visits. The RIBA Journal article notes that decades of office design dominated by efficiency drivers such as cost savings and ignorance towards the likes of sick building syndrome have left workplaces lacking in environmental quality. Now sought-after buildings include roof gardens, terraces, winter gardens and biophilic designs. Such features allow users an enhanced experience as they feel closer to nature.

The digital workplace is ever evolving, and we now see the benefits virtualisation brings to developers and design teams. Digital twins — which create virtual models of physical objects — allow users to manage the usage and efficiency of their assets. Sensor technologies can gather data on environmental quality and occupancy levels. Smart building systems can then distribute appropriate heating, ventilation and cooling levels.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) is now a board-level agenda item. The RIBA Journal article points out that the industry has been designing buildings for extraverts for years, with expansive reception areas and open-plan work areas. Modern office design, however, requires more empathy to suit a variety of activities. Quiet and project areas of varying sizes are seen as essentials in the footprint of an all-inclusive workspace.

The IWG: Future of Work paper also notes that 15–20% of the population are neurodivergent and vastly underrepresented in the office workforce. Offices can often create a hostile environment or be over-stimulating for those with conditions such as autism or ADHD. Adjustments to flexible working policies and adapting workspace design to manage issues with noise and lighting are now vital aspects of design managers' thought processes.

Health and wellbeing have found their way up the agenda, and as wellbeing is now reported to be significantly below the levels reported pre-pandemic, it is given key consideration in the design of office spaces.

A number of desirable accreditations for building developments now base much of their scoring criteria on how users interact with their buildings. BREEAM has a 'health and wellbeing' category, NABERS measures aspects such as air quality and natural light, and Active Score rates buildings in a way that measures facilities in a building that encourages active travel and commutes amongst its users.

Changing demographics and cultural shifts will continue to impact workspace design. Office space users are demanding more from the surroundings they spend much of their week occupying. Successful developments will ultimately be those that are futureproofed, can stay agile, and respond to innovation.