How to Future Proof Our Offices

Recent changes in how we work are raising the question, how do we future-proof our offices? 

Ok, remote working is here to stay but with the general consensus being that perhaps a hybrid working environment (some days in the office, some at home) is possibly the optimum and most popular situation moving forward - so from that how do we continue to preserve the relevance of a physical company office.

For many companies and industries a complete switch to remote work isn’t a possibility or is not going to happen soon. We also need to take into account that some people work better from an office, and enjoy everything that it means to work from one everyday. 

So for many people offices are here to stay, at least for now, and at least in some shape and form. But to ensure their relevance long term we are going to have to look at ways to future-proof them. 

What does this mean

Future-proofing your permanent office space means staying updated, not only with new design and technology but also an understanding of how millennials and Gen Z (who are just now coming of age and entering the workforce slowly) want to work. 

Maintaining a productive workforce, while preparing for any changes that may come along in the meantime, means a future-proofed office. 

Here are some of the guiding principles and actions to take to future-proof where we work -

Think Smart

A smart office is definitely a future-proofed one. One that is connected, from the way it heats and cools, to the way it allows people in and out of a building - utilizing the latest technology to ensure an office runs more efficiently and seamlessly is what the future demands. This also creates a more comfortable working environment. 

Be Inclusive

Chances are your workplace is full of people with very different needs - designing your office accordingly or readapting it to meet these needs will help make it a welcoming place to work for current and future employees. From gender neutral toilets to nursing rooms for new mothers, there are many ways to ensure office spaces are inclusive. 

Sustainability First

A smart office helps with this - technology helps us save crucial resources in how we manage and operate our buildings. But there are other ways to ensure sustainability runs through every aspect of your office and business. Opt for furnishings made from sustainable materials, put in place office policies that embrace a sustainable lifestyle (recycling policies amongst others, or providing bike parking) and take the lead in helping your employees live more sustainable lives also. 

Well-being Matters

How comfortable people are in their office is important. Letting them know you are also taking into account their physical and mental well-being is important. Design and furnishings can help a lot with this - from ergonomic chairs, to bringing nature inside through growing walls and plants. There are plenty of ways to lift the mood of an office.

undefined

Co-operative Spaces

People like and want to collaborate, and a future-proof office is one that recognizes this and provides opportunities for collaboration and cooperation to happen. This means providing work spaces where employees can move around between work stations depending on who they are working with. They may also want to be able to move around furniture to make the office space work for their changing work needs. 

Flexibility is the watchword here and it is an important part of any future-proofed office from the way people work, to the spaces they work in - everything must be flexible and agile. It is estimated that 33% of those entering elementary school in the US will grow up to have a job that has yet to be invented - keeping workspaces flexible is the only way to prepare for this shift in the jobs we do, and how we perform them. 

No one really knows that the future holds, we know only that this is impossible to predict. But what we can do is prepare as much as we can for it. Remaining open-minded, embracing technology, prioritizing sustainability and well-being, and remembering to be, first and foremost, flexibility is crucial to this. 

At Vonder we recognise that the future of how people will live, work and play will likely look very different from how it does today. We believe in embracing co-working, and co-living as a better approach to living in urban centres. 



Become a Vonderer

Vonder isn’t just about the housing, it’s a way of life tailored for digital nomads and young professionals from around the world.

Experience More