June 27, 2022

Many employers are re-thinking the way their teams work. The key is finding the right approach for your business model. Employers need to be flexible in their strategy moving forward, especially as hybrid work becomes the new normal. Design and technology play a crucial role in building future-forward work spaces that empower your employees to do their best work as their environments evolve.

With many employees deploying flex work schedules – dividing their time between the office and home – it is vital to make their in-person work environment enjoyable and able to meet their needs. The first step is often to gather employee survey information and examine employee feedback to understand their ever-changing needs, keep productivity high, and create strong employee experiences while they are in office. Collaboration is key – there has been a true migration from “me/individual work” to “we/collaboration work”. Emphasizing collaborative work space, personalized work areas, and instilling your brand throughout your space are just some of the great ways you can use design to enhance and improve your in-office environment.

Connected Real Estate Magazine states that office renovations are on the rise post-pandemic, as more and more organizations accommodate hybrid work. Architectural firms have generated more revenue from renovations than new construction for the first time, according to American Institute of Architects Chief Economist Kermit Baker. Many employers are choosing to reinvest in their properties—building their office from a blank canvas to better serve the new workplace model. Occupancy sensors and space analytics, along with consultants’ suggestions, are driving many of these office renovations, Bisnow reports. Companies are now invested in seeing how space impacts performance, and how innovation can improve day-to-day activities.

It’s no secret that technology plays a major role in the hybrid work model. According to Cisco, 96% of the workforce indicate that they need intelligent workplace technology to improve work environments. The goal is to create a resilient, sustainable, and best-in-class system that enables your employees to work effectively from any location. The virtual work experience is just as important as what your employees experience in the office, so equipping your employees with the right tools is critical—that means considering everything from security, to collaboration, and even your office environment.

A smart office is a space that uses analytics and technology to productively enhance your working environment. Data is used to understand how to use your spaces most efficiently and connected technology enables better collaboration between in-office and remote teams. A smart meeting space is one way to cater to better hybrid work. Ensuring your conference rooms are digitally enhanced—with conferencing software, meeting room apps, and top-of-the-line audio and visual equipment—ensures your team can collaborate with each other and seamlessly meet with external teams with ease.

Our Kolar team has over 30 years of experience designing offices for diverse industries and across ever-evolving employee demands. Whether your organization is looking at a post-pandemic overhaul, refresh, or overall new build, you can trust our team to design an approach that is future-forward. Our team specializes in everything from research and insights, to interiors, and experiential graphic design, delivering the full package you need for your workspace. With our experienced team, you can connect the dots with brilliant data that influences incredibly impactful designs. To learn more about us, visit: https://kolarproductio.wpengine.com/services/