The Open Office is Dead!

I have been wondering what does the post-covid office space might look like? For some it will be rather empty, with many workers opting to continue working from home. Some businesses I know have already renegotiate leases for smaller premises. Increased health requirements are necessitating reorganisation of existing spaces to ensure appropriate social distancing is available, and hygiene requirements are being met. The Covid-safe workplace is here.

A recent online article in Fast Company (click here to read it) addresses this issues using a very unique approach – they spoke to the architects (Clive Wilkinson Architects) who championed and were responsible for the open office boom in companies like Microsoft and Google. So, what do they believe about the future of office space – “the open office is dead”! While surprising, they also add that the ‘one-size-fits-all’ office is not appropriate either.

Research has shown that open offices have major problems in relation to noise, sexist behaviour being reinforced, and high employee turnover. It appears that now is the opportune time for companies to rethink and redesign their offices.

Included in the article are descriptions of three potential office spaces that compliment traditional office spaces, which provides options for employees. The three proposed spaces are known as: The Library, The Plaza, and The Avenue. Providing diverse spaces gives employees options to find the optimal workspace for them.

This article is an interesting but challenging read and will cause you to reflect on your design choices.