The Post-COVID-19 Office Interior

As trends and technology change, office fit outs and workplace dynamics change with them. However, very few changes have been as drastic or as significant as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employers and employees alike may be wondering what office interiors and layouts are going to look like as the world adjusts to its new normal. There’s every reason to believe the following information may ring true in the months and years ahead. The more you learn, the easier you may find it to cater to your employees’ needs.

The Hybrid Working Environment

The hybrid working environment, or hybrid office, as it’s now referred to, is a flexible working arrangement consisting of both remote and in-office workers.

Now and into the future, it’s expected that there will be fewer employees in the office at any one time, but the same number of employees working in total.

Rather than being a place for all employees to work a nine-to-five job, the average office interior will be transformed into a space for routine meetings and specific tasks. Essentially, the office will be a social anchor that brings all staff together for collaboration and projects, but not necessarily where the bulk of work is carried out each day.

Idea Generation Hubs

With clever office interior design and construction, and experts on board to assist, you can expect post-COVID-19 office interiors to be idea-generating hubs. As a result, they will be designed for collaboration rather than laid out with linear workstations.

Collaboration spaces will be the priority, so you can expect to see more open spaces, fewer desks and single workspaces, and more nooks and rooms dedicated to large tables, couches, and bean bags. The same amount of space will likely be needed, but it will be designed without traditional work processes in mind.

How to Transform Your Office Into a Creative Hybrid Working Space

Now that you understand how different office spaces will need to look to function as creative hybrid working spaces, you may be wondering how you’re supposed to achieve such a look and fit out. It can be much easier than you might think.

Balance Privacy With Openness

One of the most crucial things to factor into the office interior design process with the help of experts is how to balance privacy with openness. You want each employee to feel like they can focus on their projects but also interact in a social environment.

Fortunately, there are many design elements you can include with the help of those who make a living out of designing offices. Something as simple as creating an open stairway for water cooler discussions and a spacious kitchen area for conversations while you wait for the kettle to boil can be how you achieve openness.

The inclusion of partitioned areas in between for use as meeting spaces allows you to achieve an open plan design and privacy simultaneously.

Invest in Technology

There can be more to a hybrid working environment than design elements alone. It’s worth taking a moment to think about the necessary technology to fill the space. Remember, with remote employees and in-office workers, connectivity is paramount to keep everyone working in harmony.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of video conferencing equipment and software to set up in established areas of your office. At a minimum, you’ll need a computer, webcam, speaker, and microphone to hold a satisfactory video call with remote employees.

If you’re unsure what you need, consult the experts who can shed some light on the most advanced technology for fast and easy connectivity.

Create Huddle Rooms

Most offices built today and many years ago have meeting rooms. There might be several small meeting rooms or one large boardroom. As we move into an age of collaboration with in-person and remote workers, smaller, more purpose-built spaces become necessary.

As you redesign your office interior, you may choose to create huddle rooms, which are set up with video conferencing equipment to cater to small groups of three or four people.

Each room can be set up differently, depending on what you believe your team will need. Some might have comfortable sofas and bean bags for use with laptops, while others might have stools and tables with height-adjustable features. Draw inspiration from cafes so that you can design spaces that promote comfort and productivity.

Talk to the Experts

It can be overwhelming trying to create an innovative, functional office interior without experience. You may know what you’re looking for but don’t have the expertise to create a truly purpose-built space in the post-COVID-19 world.

However, you don’t have to manage a complete office overhaul on your own. Instead, you can hire commercial interior design Auckland experts to take care of the entire project from start to finish. They can listen to your requirements then design and build a suitable space to suit your business or company’s unique needs.