The future of the office environment

As lockdown eases many businesses face the dilemma: back to the office or flexible working from home.

At Perry Holt, we have been really encouraged by the increase in demand for office space, as the country returns to work with the easing of lockdown restrictions. With around £2.6billion invested into the UK commercial property market in May – double that of 2020 – it is clear that the physical dimension of work has become more important than ever before. 

We have been looking at how our clients are envisaging the future of the office environment post-COVID pandemic and wanted to share the 3 top requirements we have been seeing:

We are still seeing the trend of the open-plan office continuing, but now there are different requirements within that office environment. Safety is key, people need to have more space and feel comfortable returning to work within that space, with more dedicated individual work areas, not walled off into offices, but with a more aesthetic appearance, glass partitions, more greenery and less office-style furniture.

Of course, hygiene is now paramount, so as well as more space for each person, we are seeing office design utilising anti-microbial materials, which are usually seen in hospitals, to coat surfaces within the workplace (ceilings and floors, desk, lifts, chairs, kitchen units and other surfaces). Other materials which are known to shorten the lifespan of the COVID-19 virus are also being seen, such as copper or untreated wood and technology is increasing to more office touchpoints, such as touchless interfaces like automatic door openers, conference booking systems, self-flushing toilets.

Read the Briefing Council for Offices report on the IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON THE COVID-19 WORKPLACE.

We have been watching closely the new TK Maxx HQ being built in Clarendon Road, Watford. This iconic building has been designed by Sheppard Robson who has dubbed Watford as part of the new “suburban capital”, commuter-belt towns where global corporations are now choosing for their business communities, rather than being in central London. Mark Kowal, partner at Sheppard Robson says “we are seeing much more investment into the ‘suburban capital’ making the office space on a par with any London market in terms of quality, detailing and amenities, in particular, the incorporation of the rooftop terrace to encourage a sense of community.”

We cannot wait to see how the TK Maxx HQ turns out when it is finished!

Australian energy company Woodside has just launched their new office ‘campus’ designed by Global workplace strategists Unispace, which really challenges the traditional office space and has a strong focus on social connectivity, team collaboration and staff wellness. Take a look:

32 floors with more than 60 spaces including a family-friendly level where children can do their homework, or play whilst their parents finish work, includes a game zone with retro arcade games, Playstations, table tennis and table football, even a rooftop swimming pool. They also have a mindfulness area, quiet rooms, armchairs and sit or stand desks.

Square Mile Farms, London SW8 have taken the outdoor life to another level, bringing vertical farming to the office space.

They believe that their office farms bring well-being and sustainability to the modern, post-Covid workplace, which will relieve stress, improve productivity, purify the air, act as a sound barrier, create a sense of place, and make people happier. Office farms are ideal for:

• Lobbies & atriums
• Conference rooms & workspaces
• Restaurants & canteens
• Terraces & courtyards
• Communal areas
• Rooftops & basements