Sidney Moller and Marilyn Russell Baker Barrios Architects Explore how the hospitality sector is influencing office design.
The pandemic has prompted owners and developers to incorporate healthcare best practices into new and redeveloped office buildings, such as advanced air filtration, contactless technology and antimicrobial surfaces, but businesses are facing permanent challenges due to the pandemic. While tackling one of the biggest challenges, another sector of the real estate industry is influencing design. Back in the office: Hospitality.
In today’s corporate environment, where companies are trying to bring people back to the office, and much work can be done remotely, the most successful office designs make the office a place employees want to come to. Companies that pay close attention to how their in-office experience impacts their teams, and see it as an extension of their brand, are more likely to see improvements in employee satisfaction, retention and productivity. We are ready to make it happen. For inspiration, architects and designers are turning to the hospitality sector where destination experience and branding are intertwined.
Corporate Identity = Personal Identity
Where you work is a central part of your personal identity for Gen Z, and even for millennials, according to a 2023 report from the Pew Research Center. How Americans View Their Work. Recognizing that they spend most of their lives at work, these employees want to find connections not only in their jobs, but also in their work environment.
It is also important for young workers that employers share values such as being an inclusive workplace, providing a vibrant and engaging office environment, and fostering collaboration.
First impression
In the hospitality industry, first 5 seconds According to eHotelier.com, an online resource for hospitality professionals, guest interaction is considered important. The same should apply to the office. Whether it’s a team member, client, prospect, or guest, they need to feel not only welcome, but present. your company. People need to know who you are and what you do. Here are some ways to achieve this:
- Decor, lighting, furniture and art that reflect the brand. Putting your logo on the wall is not enough. Your brand should permeate the entire space.
- Easy directions and integrated technology. Digital signage and QR codes make it easy to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s a specific location or just Wi-Fi information.
- The front desk has been renewed as a concierge station. Whether staffed or fully automated, this spot should welcome everyone and help them find exactly what they need. Make it a gateway to your own space, not a gatekeeper’s place. Even when security is required, this space can inspire a feeling of welcome.
flexible square feet
Another best practice where offices can be rented from hotels is to create flexible spaces that can serve multiple purposes. Just as a hotel lobby serves as a place for guests to arrive and a lounge doubles as a place to work, corporate offices also need to offer a variety of multi-functional options.
Think conference rooms that double as shared workstations for hybrid team members, passive seating areas that can transition into huddle zones for collaborative work, or “Zoom Rooms” where employees can comfortably talk at work or privately. prize. Choose furniture with multiple functions that can be easily reconfigured according to your needs.
focus on wellness
As important as it is for your team to be connected, it’s also important to have a place where your team can participate. disconnect. The design of your “downtime” space should also reflect your company’s values and brand.
The offices of tomorrow will integrate features such as quiet rooms and provide opportunities for mobility, including direct connections to the outdoors, integrated staircases that promote walkability, and space for activities such as table tennis.
Biophilic design, so common in modern hotels, is increasingly being incorporated into modern office spaces. Given the many studies that show that natural light boosts mood and productivity, good office design incorporates indoor-outdoor connections that make the most of this natural resource.
Plenty of amenities
For hotel guests, conveniences such as a fitness center, dry cleaning, valet parking, and other services are usually available at your doorstep or just a phone call away. The same convenience can be provided in the office. After months of working from home, people get used to being able to complete personal tasks during working hours. For example, offices that offer similar resources, such as on-site gyms and locker rooms, dog crèches, and laundry pick-up services, alleviate some of the reasons employees prefer to stay home, resulting in It leads to an increase in the labor force. Be enthusiastic about coming to the office and be more focused while in the office. In fact, they may even come to prefer a very comfortable workspace over their typical remote work location.
With more employers wanting their teams to return to in-person work, at least on a hybrid basis, and an equal number of employees saying ‘no thank you’, companies should carefully consider their approach. . Following the hospitality industry’s lead when it comes to designing places where teams want to stay can, as one well-known hotel chain touts, allow companies to “stay and play” with more employees. help you do that.
