The role of the office now

Parinaz, founder of Anvari Design, gives us the low down on what the office space means ‘post-pandemic’.

The working environment probably won’t be the same anymore. Quite simply, the choice to work remotely is gaining momentum and might be here to stay, even as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Companies have learned to adapt by embracing the digital world, especially through the likes of virtual technology. Some companies have completely abandoned ship and decided to close their offices for good, while others have stayed firm in case employees want to return.

However, not everyone feels the same. Some people have found working from home easier than others. A recent survey by Cushman & Wakefield shows baby boomers were surprisingly happier working from home, while millennials found it to be more challenging - 70% of Gen Z and 69% of Millennials report challenges in working from home, compared to 55% of Baby Boomers. The millennials appear to struggle more with the lack of personal interaction, opting for a space to connect with their colleagues, friends and family. The challenge is intensified when we see 73% of respondents think companies should embrace flexible working policies; and social distancing may mean we are staggering how many employees work in the office at a time to keep overall occupancy within a safe range, whilst ensuring public transportation is less congested.

Now we have a tried and tested alternative to the office, it is worth reconsidering the primary function and importance of it to businesses and to employees’ general wellbeing.

Our approach at Anvari Design is to make your office space generate significant business value. Starting with the mantra that “culture eats strategy for breakfast”, we design your office for high-performance culture. Your office should actively contribute to shaping your company culture, realigning employee behaviour to your desired business strategy.

Employees may work on a rotation strategy, combining home and office work, so your office space should support this new way of working. Utilising the office to solve common workplace issues including lack of collaboration, poor internal communication, complex information-sharing, and limited privacy.

The office space should be a place to inspire employees, a place for learning and development, creating and preserving company culture, connecting people to the brand, communicating your company values, motivating employees and attracting talent.

Our bespoke designs create spaces that utilise cutting-edge technology, blending functionality with design to create an environment that inspires and promotes productivity, efficiency and engagement.

Visit www.anvaridesign.com to learn more about our design process; or contact us at info@anvaridesign.com to arrange a video consultation to discuss your residential or commercial requirements.