Post-pandemic offices: CASACOR experts give tips!

The pandemic has brought a series of changes to the world and transformed the way we communicate and live in society. With vaccinations advancing day by day in Brazil, many managers are already putting into practice some precautions that offices will need to take after the pandemic to welcome your employees in a safe, practical and comfortable way. One thing is certain: the home office model will not be forgotten after the pandemic. Studies indicate that companies are moving towards a "hybrid" work model , in which employees can work both from home and in the office. According to a According to a report by the International Workplace Group (IWG) , during this period the demand for coworking and flexible offices increased, and it is expected that with the hybrid model, the trend is for this number to grow by at least 40% in 2021. But what changes should we expect in post-pandemic offices ? How can interior design and architecture help create a safer workspace? We invited our CASACOR experts Marília Veiga , Fernando Brandão and Korman Arquitetos to give predictions on what the "new normal" will be like in offices.

What can we expect from offices post-pandemic?

Experts agree that the office will undergo inevitable changes that will result in a more flexible work model . According to Leda and Carina Korman , from Korman Arquitetos, "what does not change is the necessary equipment such as the computer, copier", but the layout and the way the devices should be distributed will be changed – a lot. Architect Fernando Brandão believes that the flexibility of offices goes even further , and already foresees the increase of "domestic" spaces in the work environment, which is already a reality, but, according to the specialist, should increase. "In companies, it is already possible to predict that there will be a greater humanization of the workspace . This was already a trend, but the pandemic will bring the influence of home office to the forefront more obvious and stronger, that is, we will have more domestic work environments with nurseries, dog care, kitchens and pantries, as well as outdoor areas with large, spacious gardens for small meetings and gatherings", says Brandão. Like the architects at Korman, Marília Veiga also believes that the layout of offices must change . Many companies were already using large worktops instead of individual desks, which allows for closer integration and communication between employees, in addition to give them greater flexibility to sit in the place of their choice .

Post-pandemic office cleaning

Coatings will also be an important issue in making the office atmosphere safer, and Marília Veiga, Leda and Carina Korman agree on this.

The coverings will also be reviewed . Those that accumulate microorganisms tend to become outdated, while those that are easier to sanitize will become office favorites. "As for hygiene, the ideal would be to use finishes that accept a certain amount of sterilization, such as plastic laminate , which today It comes in a variety of really cool patterns," indicate the architects at Korman. Still in relation to hygiene, Leda and Carina Korman indicate the ideal floors for the post-pandemic period: "the best would be to install ceramic, marble or even vinyl floors , because as the chairs have wheels, in addition to being more comfortable, it is easier to clean and are materials that accept alcohol and lysoform (a type of highly effective surface disinfectant) " .

Furniture arrangement

The use of materials that focus on bringing comfort and lightness to the environment will be preferred for different compositions. "The use of natural materials, stones, wood, fabrics and transparency. As a consequence of this phase, we will have informal, relaxed and colorful spaces. Companies with inclusive, sustainable policies and strong, humanized identities will have more value", says Brandão. In practice, this means that some aspects that were previously so important for office layouts may be reviewed, and the main thing for managers will be to offer a safe, creative and engaged space , as well as increasingly relying on green attitudes for the day. a day. Architects Leda and Carina give tips on the arrangement and size of tables and chairs: "Ideally, the countertop should be linear so that the user has everything at hand. The table can never be smaller than 1.40m, as this is the minimum for the chair to be able to rotate and make space for other equipment. The height of the table is the same as a dining table, which means it should never be higher than 0.76 cm".

Anywhere office

The " anywhere office " is increasingly gaining momentum, especially when we talk about post-pandemic offices . For Marília Veiga, this will certainly be a trend. This is a concept that means "office anywhere" , which demonstrates a growing desire for companies to use flexible spaces for their routine. Integrated spaces, good lighting, social distancing and dynamic space with art and nature starring in the composition This is what Brandão and Veiga point out. "A characteristic of Brazilian modern classical architecture must be rescued. Architects and visual artists must work together again [to create] joyful, inspiring and naturally airy spaces ", believes Fernando Brandão. The idea is that with more flexibility and freedom, employees can stay safe while also recovering a feature that home office could not offer to those who had to improvise a workspace at home: a relaxed place designed to increase productivity. .