088 FOCUS
What are your thoughts currently on office design, and what do clients now require from architects and designers since Covid?
Office design has been undergoing a significant transition since the pandemic, but it is beginning to settle. Clients are now more attuned to their teams’ specific needs and seek adaptable, user-friendly spaces. Te societal shifts brought about by the pandemic have emphasised the importance of areas that cater to diverse personalities and support neurodiversity.
Furthermore, the next generations of workers require more work-life balance and place a greater value on where they work. People want a sense of presence, pride and enjoyment in their workplace. Tey’re looking for spaces that value individual needs rather than requiring individuals to conform to predefined work environments. Our clients are responding to this by seeking office spaces that facilitate personal development and growth, recognising the impact on mental health and overall development. Adapting to changing circumstances has also become a crucial factor. Te concept of community within the office space has gained prominence, and architects and designers are exploring ways to create multi-functional spaces usable for several differing activities, using the power of colour and texture to create areas of different energies whilst keeping acoustics in balance.
Tere is also a strong emphasis on incorporating sustainable and healthy materials whilst still bringing personality to interior spaces.
How proactive are clients in thinking ahead for projects for next year or beyond?
Clients are actively engaged in the future planning for office projects. Although sustainability and hybrid models are among the driving factors behind this proactivity, we still need more clarity in the post-pandemic era. People are considering long-term leases and weighing the cost implication and efficiency potential. Landlords have responded to these demands by improving city office offerings, providing elements such as gardens and outdoor spaces, community initiatives, enhanced end-of-trip facilities, and nearby or onsite F&B amenities. Clients are demanding more than just office space; they want an exciting environment that creates a destination and pull – giving their teams something they don’t have in their homes or local towns to provide their people with a destination, purpose and event.
In addition, we are noticing a move toward clients and occupiers wanting to move to spaces that align with their ESG goals.
What are the seismic changes from office design pre-Covid and now?
One of the most significant transformations is the emphasis on providing a variety of amenities and spaces. Companies are attentive to the desires and preferences of the workforce, offering incentives to entice employees back into the office. Flexibility and multifunctionality of space have become critical, leading to the product design of phone booths and movable furniture. Tere is a desire for more lounge and hospitality-inspired spaces – something at M Moser we were doing pre-pandemic for media-type clients, but now it has become much more of a requirement for most businesses.
Clockwise from top Far from the workers of old, the employees of today are far more attuned to their own needs and employers are now listening more intently. Ofices need to provide environments that provide a sense of community, in addition to facilitating more traditional working roles
Q&A
Gurvinder Khurana
Director, M Moser Associates
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141
