084 FOCUS


What are your thoughts currently on office design and what do clients now require from architects and designers since Covid?


Q&A Sarah


Dodsworth


Founding partner, Ekho Studio


My sense is that the workplace design sector is in a really strong position, evident across the myriad of amazing projects now being realised as the first cohort of post-Covid generation schemes completes. We are seeing intelligent designs that balance an ever-increasing set of complex requirements – and doing so with real consideration. Whilst the role of a designer has, in my experience at least, always seen us wearing multiple ‘hats’ in a ‘Jack of all Trades’ sense, it now seems evident that clients require a service that is even more tailored. On top of our broad range of traditional design skills, a designer is now also well-versed in topics spanning sustainability, wellbeing, human behaviour and psychology and smart technology.


How proactive are clients on thinking ahead for projects for next year or beyond?


Tis really does vary according to the scale, the type of scheme and more often than not, on our position within the project team. On the larger, multi-disciplinary schemes, we are seeing a pattern of developers engaging with interior design much earlier in the process, which is great. Tis is a positive reflection of the recognised value that we bring to a project, and also hugely assists us in being able to truly shape and influence a project’s vision – and ultimately what we can deliver upon.


What would you say are the seismic changes from office design pre-Covid and now?


We’re navigating beyond the traditional mindset that ‘biggest is best’. Te general trend we’re seeing is that the size of the


BILLY BOLTON


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