The Future of the Urban Office

The physical surroundings of our workspaces can have a significant impact on our productivity, performance, and well-being. Since remote working has increased dramatically over the past several months due to COVID-19, do you wonder about the fate of the traditional office environment? Well, you’re not alone. The authors of a recent Harvard Business Review article believe now is the perfect time to reexamine the conventional understanding of a centralized workplace environment, including the many benefits it promotes.

A healthy office environment helps employees thrive at work, according to these authors. By encouraging learning and collaboration, people experience an increase in creativity and well-being, better job performance, and more effective interactions with colleagues. Office design is an important aspect of creating an environment in which workers can flourish. “Well-designed meeting spaces can contribute to a culture of learning and knowledge sharing, while amenities, access to natural light, and other aesthetic features promote feelings of vitality,” the authors assert.

While the increase in remote working undoubtedly has a significant impact on the way we think about “the office,” centralized workplaces are not likely to disappear. Yet, a fresh, new approach is required to form spaces where people can meet, connect, build relationships, and advance their career objectives. Physical presence is important and understanding the balance between connectivity and distancing is the key to effective planning. Read what these authors have to say about the future of office spaces, here: FULL STORY