Thank you Andrew Thompson from NJ for your thoughts on the post Covid-19 office/workplace landscape will look like. Thinking about this a lot lately as we're all working from home.
The biggest question is how much remote working will be adopted. This would likely depend on efficiency data compiled by the employers. I'd suspect that the big tech companies, such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Tesla etc., will be at the forefront as they are data driven and efficiency driven, Does anyone have preliminary data from these or other companies?
If data shows that companies gain, stay even, or even slightly decline in efficiency when remote working vs. office working, there may be a move to reduce office space as office space costs money. There are also ancillary costs of the workplace - tech companies typically provide meals, many convenience services ranging from daycare to laundry, transportation such as luxury shuttle coaches or transit passes - on top of the cost of rent, maintenance and utilities.
If social distancing increases the spacing of employees, this also increase the square foot space cost per employee. The question is does the reduced density compensate for reduced employees working in offices in terms of the net need for office space?
Regarding R&D and manufacturing social distancing will certainly encourage use of more robots and automation to reduce workers on the floor. Question is what are the short term measures as reconfiguration and equipment increases are capital intensive in R&D and manufacturing facilities?
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Remi Tan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal Architect
Z&L Properties
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2020 13:53
From: Andrew Thompson
Subject: Corporate space usage change after Covid19
The workplace will undergo a fundamental change as our behavior will be altered per this pandemic. Telecommuting will be the first thing as employers will most likely phase in employees returning to work. Workstation sizes will be changed, the open office design will most likely be altered. Using fabrics as part of panels may change as there may be a need to disinfect surfaces. The biggest impact will be how the economy will affect corporate space usage.
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Andrew Thompson AIA
County Architect
Passaic County
Paterson NJ
Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2020 10:19
From: Chauncey Jones
Subject: Corporate space usage change after Covid19
All is being considered at this time. One thing is definite there will be a change to the workplace. How to come back to the workplace is a major consideration. How will it ramp up as people return. Another major concern is what will the workplace have to respond to pre-availability of a vaccine and post having a Covid19 vaccine. What happens if the virus returns in the fall? The story is still unfolding in terms of what the necessary requirements will be for the revamped workplace. Corporations, architects and furniture manufacturers are all looking at this now.
Chauncey Jones, AIA
Director Design and Construction
Verizon
Original Message------
What is your thought about change in corporate space usage as a consequence of Covid19? As I am hearing that companies are starting to request office space planning projects to add separation between employees, and planning to change current office space configurations.
How do you think this pandemic experience will affect space usage and planning and to what extent? For new and existing corporate space? The end or transformation of flex office?, More flexible policies regarding remote work? Back to private offices? Changes to common shared office space?
Will companies need additional office space reducing density? or less by flexing work form home policies?
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Oscar Estigarribia Assoc. AIA
Director Global Real Estate Facilities
Resideo
Boca Raton FL
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