Several key trends are gaining traction amongst offices as employees begin to return to work post pandemic. Creating an office environment that makes the employees feel safe and protected in the current environment will be the responsibility of the employer. Therefore,creating a stylish office layout with increased safety protocols during this transitional period is of paramount importance for the wellbeing of employees while increasing employee satisfaction and productivity. In an interview with Sonali Perera, Director Marketing at R M Perera (Pvt) Ltd, she addresses the need to rethink the fundamentals of the physical workspace that are necessary for a safe return to work.
Q Should workplace design and layout change, post pandemic?
A lot has changed. The entire world has adjusted its ways into the new normal bit by bit. The work culture has taken a drastic turn and the ways of working have changed. This change calls for not only a few momentary shifts in the work culture but rather some permanent adjustments at the workspace level too. As employees return to offices it is important to make sure to create an environment for your employees that allows them to work together again whilst simultaneously being as protected from one another as possible.
Q What are the short and long-term modifications a company should make?
Key factors to consider when creating a safe environment during this period is space between individuals, sanitation, design and ventilation to keep away from any health risks. But it is important to note that each workplace strategy and solution should be unique to your company’s culture and business objectives.
It is also important to create a space that is in equal parts inviting and functional. Furthermore, we see the importance of integrating healthy social distancing within the design.
Q How does your company play a role at this juncture?
The way that we picture office workspaces will never be the same again and we at R M Perera (Pvt) Ltd can bring your workspace into the post-COVID normal. As an organization who has been perfecting spaces since 1984, RM Perera(Pvt) Ltd has decades of experience in designing interiors. As interior design specialists we offer customized interiors for offices, providing a total solutions package. With our wealth of knowledge and experience within the furnishing and interior design industry, you can be rest assured that you are dealing with specialists with a proven track record delivering unique designs and customized solutions from conception to execution.
Q How has the pandemic affected the product design overall? Do you see a lot of changes in office furniture designs?
Yes! Products are now more hygienic than ever before. Speaking strictly in terms of furniture, loads of introvert fittings and additions are being involved in the process. We just feel that now is as good of a time to take safety precautions into consideration when it comes to designing. Not only does the furniture have to be changed to serve the purpose, but the material has to be easy to maintain too.
