Companies open to the idea of major office redesign as they adapt to the new normal of social distancing

The need for a range of options including enclosed, private spaces has increased because of the pandemic, says US furniture-maker Steelcase

With health and safety the top priority of employees, companies are more willing to initiate design changes in workspaces

Reading Time:2 minutes

Companies are showing an increased desire for privacy walls, panels and dividers within the office, according to US furniture maker Steelcase. Photo: Handout

Published: 10:00am, 24 Mar 2021Updated: 11:42am, 24 Mar 2021

Corrected [11:41am, 24 Mar, 2021]

[11:41am, 24 Mar, 2021]
Corrects Steelcase executive's name in sixth paragraph

After more than a year of working within the constraints of the coronavirus pandemic, an increasing number of companies are recognising the value of providing their staff various space options, showing how they are adapting to the new normal of social distancing and hybrid work arrangements.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for a range of options including enclosed, private spaces has never been more pronounced, according to a study by US-listed furniture-maker Steelcase. These changes can include privacy walls, panels and dividers within the office and even stand-alone enclosed workspaces, a major shift from the open space, flexible and shared desks that have become the standard office design and layout in recent years.

With health and safety followed by air quality and facility cleanliness the top consideration of employees, companies and organisations were more willing to initiate design changes in workspaces, according to the study that included more than 32,000 participants from Australia, Canada, China, France Germany, India, Mexico, Spain, the UK and the US.

“As companies begin to move beyond emergency infection control measures, they are looking at potential workspace changes and thinking about office space differently,” said Uli Gwinner, president of Steelcase Asia Pacific. “What we are seeing from businesses is demand for flexible workspaces, which could help companies grow strategically to prepare for an unpredictable future.”

Demand for flexible workspaces is growing, says Steelcase Asia Pacific president Uli Gwinner. Photo: Handout

Top executives in China strongly agree that the need for flexible/modular furniture would increase, the study showed.

“Our research told us employees’ expectations for the workplace have changed and decision-makers’ interest in potential workspace changes have increased,” said Kamlesh Malkani, managing director of Steelcase Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. “The vast majority of business decision-makers are expressing an increased desire for privacy walls, panels and dividers within the office, while new stand-alone enclosed workspaces will need to match the performance of focusing at home.”

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x