Feature
MAINTAINING THE OFFICE POST-COVID By Allan Wood, Managing Director, Optima Systems
The pandemic has certainly disrupted all aspects of society and the economy, and we’ll no doubt be feeling the ripple effects for years to come. One aspect of daily life which has changed irrevocably is the role, and very nature, of the physical workspace, from the way it will be used, to how it’s planned, designed and fitted out. Workers coming back to the city will be looking for a lot more from office space than what they left behind in March 2020.
From a health and safety perspective, there will be an expectation of more room to manoeuvre, as well as better HVAC and lighting. There are also more lifestyle-led aspirations, including a more ‘home-style’
aesthetic and flexibility to work and collaborate across the office, rather than be fixed to one desk.
That’s all before the wider-held social values, now (rightly) expected to be reflected across a business and its assets such as sustainability, diversity and wellbeing, have been considered. Of course, the ongoing maintenance required of these enhanced spaces will both increase the importance of the FM’s role to deliver on these evolving, contemporary requirements. It also means not only building management, but everyone involved in the design, build and running of the office, will need to be equipped with additional knowledge and skills to ensure they’re met. It presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
To get to the bottom of the issue, we recently hosted a roundtable which aimed to get to the crux of what the office will look like post COVID. Here, I share a few of the most pertinent findings, highlighting how we need to respond to ensure we’re prepared for the ‘Brave New World’ of work.
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