How Will Office Construction Change Post-Pandemic?
Written By: JoAnne Tobias
The bounce back is here, but for the first part of 2021, we had to get used to working in a really quiet downtown. “You’d only see 10 people tops,” said Source supervisor Josh Whicker. “San Francisco used to be as busy as an anthill, but now we can do demolitions during the day because there’s so little need for noise restrictions. That part of COVID, at least, has been excellent.”
But, like everyone else, we’re eager for the crowds to come back. Pam White, Project Manager at Source, said returning to the office is top of mind for most of her clients. “People want to know when people are coming back to the office, when is this going to be back to normal.”
This post shares how office construction may change because of the pandemic and what we’re already seeing in the field.
Remote Won’t Last Forever: Even though employees do effective work virtually, study after study finds that people value the office for collaboration and socialization. “People are asking for more meeting spaces,” said White. “When it’s safe to come back, people want to come back and collaborate in person.” They’re thinking of new ways to meet together and still be safe. You may start seeing common areas designed for flexibility and multiple uses.
Both In-Person and Remote: Technology will continue to connect employees; conference rooms will make it easier for people to call into a mixed meeting. “Our projects always have a lot of audiovisual,” said White. “When it comes to technology, most companies are well set up for what works after a pandemic.”
Navigating Supply Chain: Some importers are experiencing a slow down due to the global shortage in container ships, excessive demand, and labor shortages. “These last 3-4 months we’ve seen a few materials becoming scarce,” said White. But unless the client decides otherwise, our core materials are sourced stateside.
Focus on Air Flow: Air handling systems will be important for business and hospitality sectors alike. The air containment and sanitization systems that could become more mainstream include:
Negative-pressure air handlers
High-performance ventilation
Antimicrobial, antibacterial, and/or UV light sanitization
Outdoor air exchangers
The past year has been tough, but we are here to say we’ll get through this together - stronger, wiser, and more resilient. Questions about the industry in general, or a project in particular? Reach out; we’re here to help. Contact us.