COVID-19 has greatly disrupted the workplace setup, forcing most offices all over the world to switch to remote working.

Companies and businesses are trying to understand how the ‘new normal’ world post-COVID-19 will affect the future of workplace settings. At the same time, design, architect, and manufacturing communities are coming up with new office layouts and ideas that are in line with the requirements of the current ongoing pandemic.

From the looks of it, the following 4 key trends in office design are likely to emerge from this crisis post-COVID-19.

Automatic Doors

In any office, so many people use their hands or arms to push and pull the manual doors at the entrance. That may have been normal a few months back, but given the current situation, this greatly increases the risk and possibility of the spread of the virus through hands.

The ultimate solution for that is automatic doors, which you are likely to see in your and other people’s offices whenever they resume.

These doors open automatically by sensing your approach, preventing the need to use your hands to open or close them.

Cubicle Setup

Many businesses already do have a cubicle set up in their offices given the nature of their work, but post-COVID-19, other offices might have to resort to the use of cubicles for effective physical distance at the workplace.

The idea behind a cubicle setup is to remove shared office spaces so that there is little to no physical interaction between the employees.

Cubicles will also make it very easy to employ the ‘6-feet distance’ rule between people in the office as each cubicle is partially enclosed and separated with the help of partitions or dividers.

Open Floor Plans

Along with cubicles, you can also expect to see open floor plans or open office spaces because they are easier to clean and also allow increased ventilation.

An open floor plan includes the use of multiple office desks that are placed at a good distance from each other, which promotes maximum social distancing. It also comprises of large windows that can be opened for proper ventilation to prevent the spread of pathogens.

If you wish to create an open layout in your office, but don’t want to spend too much on desks, you can always opt for used office desks and get them properly sanitized before installing them in your workplace setup.

Simplified Work Spaces

Many offices have fancy equipment and extravagant amenities such as gyms, posh office kitchens, cafeterias, and wellness programs, to name a few. Considering the current sanitary, hygiene, and distancing protocols, this is likely to transform into simplified workspaces minus the extra amenities and services.

Again, the idea is to promote proper distancing and limited physical interaction between office staff and workers.

Key Takeaway

As difficult as it might be, it is extremely important for companies and organizations to follow these key trends in office design for maximum safety and security. After all, it’s about their own as well as their employees’ health and safety.