by Jeff Paine, FAIA, and Russ Holcomb, AIA, LEED AP
The uncertainty and stress related to the pandemic pushed employees to rethink where, why and how they work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.3 million Americans quit their jobs in 2021 in what is called “The Great Resignation.” We know from the pandemic that the workplace environment has a significant effect on employee health and happiness. Companies are looking for innovative ways to reimagine the work environment by creating more inclusive and engaging spaces, where people can connect with one another and feel more valued by their employers.
Design for Recruitment
As early college graduates move from academic life to the workplace, they anticipate finding some benefits of flexible areas to communicate, exchange ideas and make connections. Tiered seating, transparent workspaces and alternative meeting and open lounges more typically found in the student centers and academic buildings we design are being incorporated into everyday offices to evoke a sense of community and engagement. The lobby at the Roxboro at Venable in Durham, North Carolina establishes an open, inviting multipurpose space through material choices, scale and proportion. Comfortable furnishings offer office tenants a quiet place to work or to socialize after hours.
To offer a unique space where indoor office meets outdoor social space, Horseshoe at Hub RTP will provide a central communal location for Research Triangle Park office employees to convene, enjoy a meal, and take advantage of pedestrian and bicycle connections to an existing RTP trail system. At The Dillon in Raleigh, North Carolina, a large roof-level terrace allows for public/private use and the ability to program the space for various activities and events including yoga and live music. Access to retail, restaurants, alternative transportation and outdoor amenities gives employees alternatives to sitting at a desk and democratizes office productivity.
When it comes to employee engagement,Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness is the centerpiece of Walmart’s new corporate campus in Bentonville, Arkansas. Health nodes and lounge spaces with nature- inspired focal points pique curiosity and foster engaging conversations. Wellness pavilions inside the facility offer yoga, meditation classes and other amenities such as a teaching kitchen, where associates can share the experiences of learning to cook and eating healthy.
Incorporating Workplace Culture
Amenities only go so far in enticing new office tenants. This age of “The Great Resignation” means prospective employees are looking for managers who value the wellbeing of each employee. Beyond just introducing videoconferencing resources and customizable offices, employers must trust every staff member’s ability to work remotely and find ways to convey that trust.
While almost half the world’s workers felt the burden of stress, working women in the U.S. were among the most stressed employees globally, often related to balancing work and family responsibilities. The changing workplace must address these concerns. At Duda|Paine, a quiet room furnished with comfortable seating can be used by anyone who needs a private place to nurse, pray or otherwise retreat from office activity. Open floorplans and doorless offices encourage collaboration. When designing NCR Global Headquarters, we were tasked with providing multiple options for collaboration zones. Exchanging ideas and training new employees virtually can be difficult and cause more stress. A variety of workspaces provide more opportunities for shared knowledge rather than just meeting in a conference room.
Today’s younger employees are also motivated by social issues such as climate change and improving their environment. Sustainable strategies tie directly to workplace wellness and job satisfaction. Southstone Yards, an office building underway in Frisco, Texas, uses mass timber structure and wood finishes on balconies and in interiors as a renewable, low carbon material alternative. Reclaimed walnut brings warmth and texture to NCR Global Headquarters’ entry and lobby, providing contrast to the honed plaster texture of the lobby’s walls and giving the wood a “second life” as it’s diverted from the waste stream.
Whether an employee is feeling stressed from work or stress is carrying over from home to work, one thing is clear: employers must look inward to create equitable policies built on trust and look outward to promote an inclusive physical workspace where people want to work, socialize, collaborate and celebrate together.
As a founding principal at Duda|Paine Architects, Jeff Paine’s fluency in developer metrics demystifies the design process while strategically realigning client interests with architectural solutions. By advocating for the inclusion of public and social space, he ensures the return on a client’s investment includes giving back to the community. He has led the design of iconic, transformational buildings for organizations such as Cox Enterprises, Walmart and NCR and communities throughout the US, in Mexico and in China.
As a principal at Duda|Paine Architects, Russ Holcomb provides senior leadership and oversight of project operations, staff utilization, numerous active projects and supports business development efforts. He appreciates projects that successfully and positively impact the organization’s employees and benefit the surrounding community. During his more than nineteen years at Duda|Paine, Russ has provided leadership on such notable projects as The Dillon, the Roxboro at Venable, NCR Global Headquarters and the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Campus.