The office is dead, long live the office!

There’s an age-old political proclamation which reads, “The king is dead, long live the king!”. While it may, at first, appear contradictory, the phrase is used to assure the public of continuity during moments of significant change, by declaring the accession of a new monarch, while simultaneously announcing the death of the previous monarch. Repurposed throughout history, we frequently come to face reimagined examples of this sentiment, and the COVID pandemic proved to be no exception.

As most of the global population shifted – almost overnight – to adopt a work-from-home model, the COVID pandemic appeared to signal “the death of the office”. In many cases, this shift was embraced and celebrated, with individuals and families revelling in the freedom offered by an office-less existence. But are the days of going to the office truly over,  or have we learned that some functions are better conducted in an office environment. In this post-pandemic landscape, could offices, in fact, be more important than ever?

Before the COVID pandemic popularized a “new way of working”, leading companies around the world were conducting extensive research on the factors contributing to optimized office spaces. How could work spaces be developed to enhance employee attraction, retention, and engagement? Could offices be transformed from a row of uninspired cubicles and ringing phones to “destination locations” that employees covet? After all, the costs associated with human resources and real estate are generally two of the largest corporate expenses, so carefully examining these areas and identifying ways to get the most out of them are in the best interest of any business.

You may have noticed that I put quotes around “new way of working”, because working from home isn’t actually new at all.

Many forget that Yahoo, a multi-billion-dollar technology company, implemented a work from home policy back in 2012 that was unceremoniously repealed by incoming CEO Marissa Mayer in 2013. 

Mayer’s beliefs, built during a very successful career at Google, were that “some of the best decisions and insights come from hallway and cafeteria discussions, meeting new people, and impromptu team meetings” (Forbes, March 4, 2013). Mayer also insisted that “face-to-face interaction among employees fosters a more collaborative culture” (The New York Times, Feb 25, 2013).  With this in mind, she abolished the work from home policy and ushered Yahoo staff back into the office.

Was Mayer wrong?

The answer is admittedly complicated; I would argue yes and no. Mayer correctly identified the benefits of having employees in the office – namely collaboration, culture, team building, social interaction, and innovation. However, what she may have failed to adequately consider were the disadvantages of in-office work, like commuting time, flexibility and work / life balance.  

Post-pandemic, we have seen the emergence of the ‘Hybrid’ model, within which companies allow their employees to execute some activities remotely and some from the office. The balance and blend is determined by many factors including industry, function, seniority, type of work, and size of company.  If you ask me, this approach has evolved because smart people realised that there is justification (and subsequent benefits) for both remote work and office work. Best of both worlds, if you will.

To this effect, a recent study from Ergotron (Forbes, Feb. 2022) sampled 1,000 full-time workers. It found that as workers become more acclimated to hybrid and remote office environments since the onset of COVID-19, employees have felt empowered to reclaim physical health, and they are seeing mental health benefits, too. A total of 56% of employees cited mental health improvements, better work-life balance and more physical activity. Key highlights from the study include:

• Comfortable work environments. Of the workers surveyed, 62% said improved workspaces with comfortable, ergonomic furniture are important and improve company culture. 
• Job Satisfaction. Continuing to embrace flexibility is essential. Most employees (88%) agree that the flexibility to work from home or the office has increased their job satisfaction.
• Physical health. The hybrid workplace has empowered employees to reclaim physical health. Three-quarters of respondents (75%) stated that they move more frequently and have a more active work style when working remotely.
• Work-life balance. Three quarters of respondents say their work-life balance has improved as a result of hybrid or remote working. Even though some employees are dedicating more time to their work, if they’re able to fit it in and around other aspects of their lives, they say they feel the positive effects of a better work-life balance.
• Wellness programs. More than three-quarters of respondents (76%) revealed that their employers implemented wellness programs to support mental and physical health, with 30% of those being brand new since the onset of the pandemic.

These are all great benefits that can be maintained via a hybrid workplace. However, this emerging trend demands that employers view their office space under a new light – have they made the office into a destination location for employees? How can companies create an office that gets the most out of the team?

Toronto is home to numerous great, leading edge design companies, and Greenferd is fortunate to work with many.  I spoke briefly with a couple of firms to understand what they see as the emerging trends in office design.

“The purpose of the office has drastically shifted” states Jillian Warren, Director, Workplace Strategy at Figure3*. “We’re helping clients reinvent their office environments to support the diverse needs of employees working in a hybrid model and often competing with the comfort and convenience of home. The rewards of going to the office must be worth the effort.”

Warren goes on to say,

Predominant shifts in the workplace environment include:  

1. Improved Social Connectivity: People are primarily coming back to the office to be with their teams. Dedicating areas or “neighborhoods” where people know where to go and find one another, affords the psychological safety of a home base – even when these workspaces are shared. The mix of spaces are customized to support operational goals and include a variety of spaces for gathering and individual focus. Alternative work settings signal a culture that supports collaboration and provide a buffer for the office to expand and accommodate more people on busier office days.
   
2. Built-In Hospitality: Creating space within the office environment that inspires connection through hospitality – coffee hubs, extensive lunchrooms and social lounges that encourage staff to gather and share ideas, as well as provide a more casual atmosphere for working or meeting.
   
3. Campus Style Environments: Think like Google – with facilities and services that support employee wellness, including outdoor spaces for work and play, fitness centers, and meditation rooms.
   
4. Equalized Experiences: In today’s hybrid working environment, where meetings include both remote and in-person attendees, a high-functioning office relies on technology to provide a consistent, and equitable experience regardless of your location. New and emerging technologies are steering the design of new space typologies and furniture configurations.
   
5. Authentic Environments: Over the past couple of years, we have learned to work in new ways, and people are expecting the positive aspects – choice and flexibility – to continue to be part of their authentic work/life experience. Today’s professional and productive workplaces contain elements of both hospitality and residential design to promote comfort and engagement.
   
6. Unique Branding: Workplace design shapes the brand story with choice and placement of architectural elements, furniture, signage, graphics, colour and materials, art and artifacts. Creating an authentic experience means connecting people to the brand in a distinct and memorable way.

In addition, Vera Gisarov of IA Interior Architects** says that many employers seeking to provide that destination location are looking to provide office amenities and services such as childcare facilities, bike parking, wellness/fitness rooms or even the ability to bring dogs to work in an effort to encourage in-person collaboration.

We are in an exciting new era of work; what it is, as well as how and where it is conducted.  Technology provides options that didn’t exist before. Work used to happen almost exclusively in the workplace, but not anymore. The companies that understand how to optimize the balance between in-office collaboration and at-home productivity are most likely to thrive, attract and retain top talent and increase shareholder value. The office is not dead. In fact, it may be more important than ever. 

*About Figure3 (smaller font on purpose)

Figure3 is one of Canada’s most distinguished interior design firms. Leveraging design-based research and brand strategy, Figure3 helps clients to realize environments which achieve an equitable connection between people and place. Independently owned and based in Toronto, Figure3 has established itself as a trusted partner for over 25 years. With a diverse entrepreneurial team of 70+ creative thought leaders, it is the unique perspectives and ideas of our people which continue to be the foundation of our excellence.

**About Interior Architects

IA Interior Architects is a global firm of architects, designers, strategists, and specialists. They focus exclusively on environments through the lens of interior architecture—a radical idea in 1984, when IA was founded. They are highly connected agents of change, committed to creativity, innovation, growth, & our communities