As employees gradually head back to the workplace, designers and management teams are considering how to create spaces that people want to work in. While most experts agree that companies are already adopting hybrid models, what that looks like will vary based on the needs of each company.
Photos courtesy of 25N Coworking
While people appreciate being at home at least a few days a week, the amenities found at the office are still a significant draw for staff. “There are a lot of benefits an employee has when they go into the office,” said Mara Hauser, founder and CEO of 25N Coworking. A licensed interior designer and workplace strategist, Hauser’s early projects for enterprise corporations shaped her vision of the ideal spaces for performing job functions.
“As a design professional, I absolutely understood how to create these environments where people could be both productive and inspired during the day. But as an entrepreneur and business owner myself, I knew that being surrounded by like-minded individuals with similar goals makes work and collaboration even better. The idea of bringing people together from businesses that complemented each other was exciting to me,” she explained.
Located in the suburbs of Virginia, Illinois, and Texas, 25N Coworking outlets offer a range of spaces, from dedicated desks to flexible meeting rooms. On-site community managers provide hospitality-like service. Hauser said demand was immediate, because for many workers long commutes just aren’t feasible anymore.
Hauser noted that 25N Coworking sites are an alternative to the corporate satellite. “We really serve as a branch office for employees that don’t live in the city or are too far away from headquarters. When people come to one of our facilities, everything is taken care of. The employer writes one check a month, and as the operator we manage all of the day-to-day details, provide the service and support. The employees walk in the door, sit at a desk, and do their best work.”
Our ideas of work have changed, and they will continue to evolve as we strive for a return to post-pandemic normalcy. Hauser added that there’s no longer a one-size-fits all approach as start dates are postponed. “Many of our clients are still in evaluation mode. They have realized that their employees can be productive without having to be in the office. Now the shift is from implementing a hybrid model to conversations about bringing the company culture to the third space, a coffee bar, a 25N Coworking space, or an outdoor spot, wherever it may be.”
Spaces that are adaptable are essential as people look to strengthen connections with colleagues. “Companies don’t know what they will be incorporating permanently yet, but they need to keep things as mobile and flexible as possible to accommodate the different ways of working,” Hauser said. She highlighted some of the key areas that we’ll see next in the office.
Zoom (and Beyond) Rooms
Zoom calls are here to stay. Rooms dedicated to video conferencing should have full audio-visual capabilities and elements to mitigate noise and limit distractions. “A lot of meetings are via Zoom or Teams, whatever platform a company is using. So, there are acoustic and lighting considerations,” Hauser explained.
With a hybrid workplace model in place, a number of people are at the office and working remotely at the same time. “Maybe four or five people will be together at the office, and another group at different locations, but you all need to meet together. We want the people that are not in the room to feel as comfortable and collaborative as everyone that’s there in person,“ she added.
Hauser said virtual reality is on the workplace horizon, and that companies should begin to prepare sooner rather than later. “We really have to start thinking about VR, that’s going to be a big piece. People from all over the world can literally be in the same room and having conversations, but through your goggles.”
Truly Multipurpose Rooms
Watch for rooms that can be used for several functions and can be reconfigured quickly when needed. They are, however, not like the musty, seldom used spaces of the past. “These spaces are designed to promote teamwork. They are multipurpose rooms, but not like the school gym or church hall with outdated furniture,” Hauser said.
She also noted that mobility and modularity are all-important in the multipurpose sections. “The furniture is on casters. Height-adjustable or stackable pieces are lighter, so they are easier to move. There are multiple ways to be in meetings, whether it’s around a table or seated at individual desks. Whiteboards and marker walls are used for brainstorming sessions or team huddles.”
Collision Spaces
Hauser noted that Impromptu connections are as vital as group meetings at the office, and well-designed interiors support interaction of short or longer duration. “Collision spaces are trending, and we’ll see more of them. Someone gets up from their desk and sees a co-worker as they walk by. They have a quick chat, share an idea, or set a time for a more formal meeting. Little collisions, as I like to call them.” Ottomans and side tables are utilized by employees to sit or place their belongings.
She also said that we’ll find less separation within the office, and more of a flow to encourage communication and creativity. “In the past, the cafeteria or a pantry, for example, was by itself. Employees would have to go to different parts of the workplace for each task. When workers grab a snack or touch base in these areas, it becomes more purposeful.”