The New Office
Normal in a Post
COVID-19 World

Interior Architectural Design

As COVID-19 continues to affect our daily lives, we are seriously examining the immediate and long-term impact of the virus on commercial office design. In the immediate future, and further into our post-COVID-19 world, employees will refuse to physically return to an office which doesn’t feel safe. But in our present work culture which promotes collaboration and connection, this poses a challenge which is in opposition to the way we were thinking about and designing office space just three months ago. Shared spaces, high mobility, communal areas, and residential aesthetics and functionality such as lounge seating are current design trends which are now being reconsidered in the aftermath of this pandemic.

As employees contemplate returning to their workplaces, new anxieties are arising from working in close proximity to their colleagues. Employees will try to maximize space between each other in order to practice social distancing – which is predicted to extend through 2022. In today’s high-density workplaces with low-paneled workstations, open bench-seating, hoteling, shared ancillary, and building amenity spaces, this social distancing mandate will require re-thinking current office design. Yet, as we now address infection control as a new normal in our work lives, it cannot be at the complete expense of office community, employee fellowship, shared creativity, and enjoyment of the people we see and interact with each day. After all, this is why we want to come to the office.

 

Design Best Practices for Infection Control in 2020 and Beyond

There are many health-conscious designs which can be integrated into office environments without compromising the overall aesthetics and design. New products, materials, and design best practices which can help reduce the risk of Coronavirus and other similar viruses are considered below. Undoubtedly, resources and implementation will continue to expand as the world demonstrates its incredible resourcefulness and creativity in battling this and other deadly contagions — as we’ve already witnessed with awe and appreciation.

Some of these design best practices may include:

—Redesigning entrances at building front, suite entries, conference centers, fitness centers, and other high-traffic areas to include:

  • Automated sliding, revolving, or gateway doors which do not use door pulls. All have ADA considerations which must be evaluated
  • Voice-activated doors
  • Foot/Hand-wave door openers
  • Push-button entries
  • Security card reader scanners and/or proximity sensors
  • Nexkey technology
  • Body temperature scanners
  • Sensors identifying behaviors and actions associated with existing illness

—Medical-grade materials and finishes for non-medical office environments

  • Increased use of finishes with antimicrobial surfaces, specifically copper, brass and bronze which rapidly kill a wide range of harmful microbes, typically within a two-hour time-frame
  • Higher MERV-rated air filtration (see below)
  • Fabrics which can be easily wiped down with bleach

—Automated hand-sanitizing stations at building entrances and throughout tenant and amenity spaces

—Hands-free restroom faucets, kitchen fixtures, and public water fountains

—Automated lighting sources

—SmartKitchen appliance technology

—Expanding the size and capacity of bike rooms and creating easy access points to promote social distancing and discouraging use of public transportation when possible

—Designing work environments which are more adaptive to changing governmental and global health guidelines, including social distancing, adding barriers, cleaning, and safety measures

  • Reorienting workstations to create social distancing (directional and/or height levels)
  • Rotate workstation adjacencies so there is no face-to-face orientation
  • Increasing the number and height of panels between workstations
  • Integrating workstation screens which create physical barriers between employees
  • Reorienting and removing seating options in conference and meeting rooms to create smaller meeting sizes, and to enforce social distancing.
  • Retrofitting ancillary spaces:
    • Break multi-seating lounges into individual, screened seating
    • Arrange seating to eliminate face-to-face orientation
    • Introduce “hoodies” into individual and small seating areas to create additional barrier options
    • All storage throughout spaces will include sanitizers and cleaning supplies for quick and easy access by all employees
  • Increase in outdoor seating areas with free-standing heat and fan/air units to encourage longer outdoor times.
  • Rethinking hoteling environments:
    • Limiting to one person per day per station
    • Fully disinfect station surface areas daily
    • Consider moving to more long-term (“owned”) workstation environment

—Increasing corridor size from 5’ to up to 7’ to promote social distancing.

 

What About Air Quality?

According to current evidence reported by The World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 is primarily transmitted between people through respiratory droplets and contact routes. Airborne transmission is different from droplet and is generally considered to be particles which can remain in the air for long periods of time and are transmitted to others over greater distances. In a recent study performed in China, it is believed the virus was transmitted in a restaurant from one individual to many through droplets sent through the air conditioning. Increasing indoor air quality and standards is crucial to mitigating these risks and other potential outbreaks in the future. One way this can be accomplished is through installing air filters with higher MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings. MERV is an air filter rating system ranging from 1 – 20. As reference, MERV 8 is typical for commercial buildings; MERV 13 is considered the highest rating for commercial buildings; and MERV 19 is typically reserved for cleanrooms and medical facilities. However, due to the novelty of COVID-19, there is currently no consensus of the minimum MERV rating to eliminate the virus. In addition to higher MERV ratings, more frequent filter changes are highly recommended.

Another option for increasing air quality is installation of Air Disinfection UV Lighting and other air sanitation systems. This UV system is often used in healthcare settings but can also be implemented in office environments. This system is also considered more environmentally mindful due to the lack of heavy chemicals required. There are, however, demanding space requirements for these systems which need to be incorporated early in the design of the space, as well as additional energy costs which should be acknowledged.

Increasing air ventilation (bringing fresh air from outside) can also act to mitigate the transmission of the virus. Spaces with poor ventilation can stimulate unhealthy symptoms such as fatigue, sinus congestion, and nausea, creating an overall weakened immune system. Factors like humidity levels, access to windows, and air flow should also be evaluated.

 

Final Thoughts

Many of these changes can happen quickly while others are a futuristic look at the post COVID-19 workplace. The overarching theme of these changes portray the office of the future to be agile and adaptive to potential health, climate, and economic crises. The companies and organizations who integrate these changes will foster healthy and productive employees, as well as be the most prepared for future uncertainties.

 

Contact DCS Design Today

DCS Design will retrofit your current office with these and other COVID-19 prevention design practices and products to create a safer environment for your employees’ and tenants’ return. Or if you are considering a move, let’s discuss new design best practices for your future space.

Call us today to learn more and get started.

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Sources

Application of WELL Building Concepts to MEP Design in Commercial Offices Post COVID-19. Allen & Shariff Engineering, LLC, 2020, pp. 1–8, Application of WELL Building Concepts to MEP Design in Commercial Offices Post COVID-19.

“Building Evidence for Health: The 9 Foundations of a Healthy Office Building.” 9 Foundations, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2007, https://9foundations.forhealth.org//.

“Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 2020, https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.

DDG Virginia Engineering, PC., 2020, http://www.ddgvirginia.com/index.php.

Kissler, Stephen M., et al. “Projecting the Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 through the Postpandemic Period.” Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 14 Apr. 2020, https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/04/14/science.abb5793.

Lu J, Gu J, Li K, Xu C, Su W, Lai Z, et al. COVID-19 outbreak associated with air conditioning in restaurant, Guangzhou, China, 2020. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Jul, 22 Apr. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2607.200764

Navigating What’s Next: The Post-COVID Workplace. Steelcase, 2020, pp. 1–30, Navigating What’s Next: The Post-COVID Workplace.

“Scientific Brief: Modes of Transmission of Virus Causing COVID-19: Implications for IPC Precaution Recommendations.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 29 Mar. 2020, https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/modes-of-transmission-of-virus-causing-covid-19-implications-for-ipc-precaution-recommendations.

Wood, Johnny. “These Harvard Scientists Think We’ll Have to Socially Distance until 2022.” World Economic Forum, 20 Apr. 2020, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-social-distancing-how-long/.

 

Elizabeth Blunk, Project Manager for DCS Design

Elizabeth is a registered Interior Designer and has nearly 35 years of experience in planning, designing, and managing commercial architectural projects in the Metropolitan DC area. Elizabeth is an Associate with DCS Design providing leadership in solving clients’ evolving needs and keeping DCS at the forefront of addressing what’s next for our industry.