Wood and healthy office spaces

[edit] Introduction

As COVID-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions begin to lift across the UK in 2021, entertainment, hospitality, public and office spaces re-open their doors. In 2020, around 40% of UK workers worked from home in some capacity, and despite trends predicting that some work will continue to be done remotely, there is still a desire for some aspects of work to be done in the workplace. But in a post-lockdown world, what will our workplaces look and feel like? What aspects are going to be most important when it comes to designing and creating a space where workers can collaborate safely?

[edit] Is the office dead?

In its report, The Future of work after COVID-19, the McKinsey Global Institute found that while remote work has been adopted by a significant number of workers, there are some types of work that technically could be done remotely but are best done in person. Examples of this include: “Negotiations, critical business decisions, brainstorming sessions, providing sensitive feedback, and onboarding new employees.”

A focus on blended or flexible working in 2021 is one of the top trends predicted for employers. A survey found that only 8% of employees want to continue working from home or remotely for five days a week. The office is still very much alive and a communal area for catching up with colleagues and a space to brainstorm and work distraction-free is desired by workers.

However, employers should consider the flexibility of their space and whether it can be adjusted and deconstructed to create alternative layouts. A new flexible workspace at 6 Orsman Road has been designed with this in mind. Featuring a demountable partition system, it can be altered and reconfigured to the needs of occupants.

[edit] Wellbeing comes out top in design trends

Isolation caused by the pandemic has brought with it a nationwide mental health crisis. Consequently, wellbeing is at the top of the agenda for many employers when rethinking and redesigning their office spaces post-COVID-19. This could be achieved through considerations such as blended or flexible hours, spaces that encourage connection with colleagues, or providing a comforting, calming environment to work in.

In addition to creating a welcoming space for workers to return to, hygiene and air quality will be of the utmost importance in making workers feel safe. From sanitising stations, regular cleaning to temperature checks, offices around the world are taking necessary measures to provide a clean environment.

In addition to opening windows, air quality could be enhanced in an office space with greater ventilation, more plants and better material selection. Natural materials such as wood can be used in products to help regulate humidity, providing better indoor air quality.

[edit] Biophilic principles can bolster healthy spaces

Research around biophilic design and connection to nature has long attested the fact that natural materials and natural scenery in a room can have a positive impact on its occupants.

Biophilia is the link between humans and nature and is about bringing natural elements indoors. Biophilic design incorporates natural elements,views and materials in design.

Rooms containing wood products have been shown to reduce stress and heart rates of occupants. With a large number of workers reporting problems with their mental health, and 65% of workers in the UK reporting to be anxious about returning to work in an office, any changes that can help ease stress and promote a sense of calm could have a really positive impact.

Stora Enso released a whitepaper that evidences the different effects that using wood can have on building occupants. From flooring to desks, walls to countertops, it shows that exposure to wooden products of all shapes and sizes can improve focus, reduce stress, bolster creativity and even encourage more social interaction.

[edit] Two birds with one stone

In 2020 there was a real push towards a green recovery, and climate change is still a critical focus for many in 2021. The public is more aware of its personal contribution, and companies are stepping up to the challenge by creating more sustainable and eco-friendly office spaces.

Small changes like banning disposable water cups and straws, introducing recycling bins, turning off lights or cutting down on paper use can all help to reduce the operational carbon footprint of an office space. Yet it is considered that sustainable practices in the building of a new office and its interiors will make a huge difference in the embodied carbon footprint of the space.

Find out more about embodied and operational carbon here.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Biophilic design.
• Designing for employee wellbeing.
• Pandemic migration.
• The biophilic office.
• Timber and healthy interiors.