In recent years, workplace design has seen a shift away from closed off-private offices and cubicles into an open and social environment. This transition, caused by the “dot com generation,” has given way to a rise in what can be described as the “anti-office.” Companies are able to attract the best and brightest talent by gravitating towards a more relaxed and energetic atmosphere—the opposite of the traditional, separated workplace. Office spaces designed to foster more collaborative and creative work have made their way into all workplaces, far beyond tech and startup companies. The “anti-office” is the latest wave of workplace design, but how will it change given recent world events?
With the current pandemic, many in the workforce are scared to return to their open plan offices and believe that offices must once again be closed off to provide employees with their own personal and safe space. Implementing private pods and screen guards may help people return to the office in the short term, but in the long term, people will crave the important social interactions that an open floor plan allows for. As many have now adjusted to working remotely, making people feel comfortable enough to once again return to the office is a huge hurdle every business is currently facing. Just as workplace design saw an era of private cubicles and an age of the open office, workplace design is once again entering a new stage focused on wellness.
The Evolution of the “Anti-Office”
We have seen an attitude change, where people are now largely unwilling to commute to work because of the time and cleanliness. Workers have realized that not only is it not worth the risk of being exposed on public transportation, but they are just as productive, if not more productive, working from home. Another factor making people hesitant to return into the office is the rising focus on health. People might no longer trust their fellow staff to be as hygienic as they need to be. Employees do not not trust that their coworkers will not come into the office if they may be sick or to cover their face appropriately when they sneeze or cough.
Office design will continue to follow the “anti-office” format, but with new added features and amenities that reflect this focus on a holistic wellness approach. The first step to achieving this goal is an operational shift. People are now more aware of their health and well-being and want their workplace to reflect this. We now require our built environments to reflect the same health standards people have come to expect from their peers. Like how LEED became common design as best practices, so will WELL design. Wellness aspects will be implemented throughout all buildings by management, as it promotes a healthy environment for occupants and the surrounding community.