Construction Concepts is making the Workplace Work in a Post-Pandemic World.
The essential need for a working environment that is mindful and safety conscious is an ever-evolving part of our daily lives as a result of COVID-19. As time goes on, the number of people allowed in the workplace will increase, however how the workplace functions will require change.
Over the last decade, the open-office floor plan has been the trend in corporate office settings. Less walls, shared workspaces, and large communal gathering spaces were the trend. Now, as we adhere to new social distancing guidelines, many employers are faced with the challenges of making their workplace – work. The good news is that in many cases this is really just a design issue and with some creative guidance your open workspace can still work for you.
The design itself must be modified to incorporate modern protocol, practice, and technology. Keeping social distancing in mind, these elements brought to fruition will be a thoughtful hybrid reality.
Personal space is finally back in style, but do we go back to the dreaded cubicle? Every office will have their own set of circumstances guided by their workforce needs and their space. The answer doesn’t have to be a sectioned-off, sterile office where communication is separated by generic plexiglass screens. The most sensible approach will take into consideration function and wellness to create a workplace that functions for the long haul. Our design team and construction experts have worked with countless clients to create one-of-a-kind build-outs to create functional spaces without sacrificing design.
One of our most recent office projects was for JE Dunn’s Houston office. While this project was completed before COVID-19 changes went into effect, the design is an excellent example of how you can configure your office to allow for personal space within an overall open concept.
The traditional workspace may visually be different as we transition. However, with a custom design layout the familiar office culture can still remain intact and even thrive during an otherwise uncertain time of change. Innovations like this aim to achieve the same ambiance of interpersonal connection that binds humans together.
Another element will be the continuation of video conferencing. This concept will merge workers actually “in the office” with those working remotely to create unanimous presence. The emphasis on technology being incorporated into the worker’s daily routine needs will require a space to effectively accommodate this new routine and simultaneously place an importance on the voices of remote coworkers. For example, the board room or large conference/training room is now relevant again as it allows for distance. Additionally, thinking outside the box to utilize outdoor spaces and repurpose under-utilized spaces as individual virtual interaction pods.
Whatever your individual circumstance is, we are here to offer a solution. Whether you are downsizing your footprint, or reconfiguring your existing space, we can make your workplace work.
For more than 22 years, our team has been delivering quality craftsmanship, total customer satisfaction, and complete professionalism to Houston’s most discerning clients. As a full-service construction company, we offer a custom design + build process that streamlines the often-fragmented design, engineering, and construction phases enabling you to save valuable time and money by having one point of contact throughout your project.
What can we build for you?
Photography by: Construction Concepts