In recent times, debates over work realms have been tossed around, with many valid points given by both pro-physical and pro-virtual proponents. Defenders of offices emphasise how face-to-face connections build stronger employee and client engagements. On the other hand, employees who get to work from home cite increased job satisfaction from less commuting stress and more time with loved ones.
Eventually, forward-looking companies have embraced the advantages of both, giving birth to innovative work arrangements.
In a rapidly changing work landscape, the design of workspaces must reflect the changing realities and cater to the current needs and expectations of employees and organisations, if they are to stand the test of time. What does this mean in tangible terms though?
Anticipating office design and workspace trends
To get some insights, Parklife has picked the brain of Bryant Lu, the vice chairman of Ronald Lu & Partners (RLP Asia), a Hong Kong-based international architectural firm. He is also the founder and chairman of the firm’s R&D lab, named BEHAVE, which formulates solutions towards a future-ready built environment via research, behavioural science and collaborations with relevant partners.
Parklife: What is a future-ready office space?
Bryant: Beyond what the physical space is, it shows what the business is. Having a future-ready office space shows that a business is ready for anything: it can adapt to changing work dynamics, emerging technologies and evolving employee needs, positioning the organisation for long-term success in an evolving business landscape.
What are the catalysts that have pushed this trend forward?
Basically, three things: Covid-19, technology and climate change.
A major catalyst for this rapid change was the Covid-19 pandemic. The consequential lockdowns forced many companies to embrace a new working style, and revealed flaws in traditional office designs, which could not meet the changing needs of employees and accommodate new work behaviours and modes of working.
It led to the creation of a life-centric office space, which is an environment that embraces technology, prioritises people, supports flexible work models, improves work efficiency, promotes collaboration and sustainability, and is adaptable to future needs.
Moreover, office spaces have undergone an incredible transition since the turn of the century, from traditional cubicle layouts to open-floor plans and now to collaborative co-working and co-sharing spaces.
And we predict that these new and emerging trends will continue to transform the workplace.
Driven by technology
An efficient and high quality office technology is essential for the success of any entity and it comprises all the technological applications needed for a business to remain in operation.
What is the role of technology in the evolution of office spaces?
Technology has been a big driver of this change. Huge advances in video conferencing and virtual collaboration are facilitating seamless communication between in-office and remote employees. Hence, hybrid work models have remained popular.
But you can’t just leave everything to the experts — the leadership of a business also needs to stay informed and updated on the latest technological advancements and trends to identify opportunities for integration that can enhance productivity and collaboration.
How do you integrate technology seamlessly into office designs while ensuring accessibility and user-friendliness?
This requires a careful balance, which involves planning, collaboration with technology experts and a sharp focus on user needs. A key consideration is working with IT professionals and consultants who specialise in workplace technology. Their expertise can help identify and implement appropriate solutions and ensure compatibility and scalability. Audio-visual consultants should be roped in when designing and integrating audio and video conferencing systems; and you need to consider factors like room acoustics, lighting and display placements to optimise the user experience.
It’s also vital to develop a robust technological infrastructure that supports the office’s current and future needs. This includes network connectivity, power distribution, data storage, and server room design. Engineers should be consulted to ensure sufficient bandwidth, network capacity and power outlets to accommodate the growing number of devices, video conferencing, cloud-based applications and other digital tools used in the office.
You also need to consider the placement of workstations, collaborative spaces and technology-intensive areas like conference rooms or multimedia areas.
The goal is seamless integration of technology into the office design at the earliest possible stage. For example, part of our vision involves creating “touch-free pathways” that enable employees to flow through the office environment in a kind of “sanitary corridor”, from the main entrance to their work stations, without touching any buttons or handles. Operated by LED sensors or mobile phone applications, contactless technology will allow employees to pass directly from the elevators to their desk.
Employee-centric environment
It is well established that an organisation’s most valuable assets are its employees. Successful companies, therefore, prioritise an employee-centric culture. However, to create such an environment, organisations must first understand and ascertain what their employees’ needs are.
Why should organisations evolve to an employee-centric workplace?
These days, when employees choose a career, they are much more focused on the overall workplace experience. Offices that prioritise employee well-being are now non-negotiable. They are crucial for organisations to attract and retain talent, enhance productivity and foster a positive work culture. A well-designed workspace can be a magnet that draws top talents, as it shows that a business is willing to invest in creating an environment conducive to productivity, collaboration and health. This also helps elevate a business above its competitors.
Additionally, a life-centric office space promotes employee health and wellness, leading to reduced absenteeism, improved morale and increased focus and creativity. It also helps shape the organisational culture, helping to reinforce the values, mission and identity of a company.
All these changes point to the fact that people are now firmly at the centre of design. Ultimately, human behaviour governs all design. For example, the pandemic showed us that being physically present in an office environment is not always necessary. The idea of creating adaptable and agile spaces that can accommodate changing needs are gaining popularity.
Can you share some examples of how to prioritise employee well-being in office designs?
Today, we are placing much more emphasis on employee health and comfort, with ergonomic furniture and natural light and ventilation being prioritised. Flexible workstations accommodate different work modes and promote adaptability and agility. Co-shared amenities and business spaces like breakout areas, relaxation zones, meeting pods, conference areas and dedicated wellness rooms are now basically standard.
In our blueprint for a modern office, be it large or small, we have incorporated touch-free technology, open balconies, transformative office spaces, private toilets, indoor and outdoor greening, and more collaborative workspaces to help any business thrive.
Taking sustainability seriously
We now know that sustainable practices help to maintain the balance between environment, equity and economy whereby any deed large or small, can help in preserving the delicate ecological system.
Why should businesses take sustainability seriously?
Sustainability is such a strong influence on bottom lines these days — any company that does not consider how to make its operations more sustainable is at a distinct disadvantage. The new type of workplace for the next generation is one that promotes carbon positivity and wellness through cutting-edge technology, design and management; and one that will help address the growing climate challenges faced by our cities.
Sustainability also involves considering community and social impacts. Designers should engage with the local community, stakeholders and end-users to understand their needs and integrate their input into the design process. You also need to design spaces that promote social interaction, inclusivity and well-being, and that foster a sense of community and enhance the quality of life for occupants. The social and cultural context of the project also needs to be considered in order to respect local traditions.
How do you translate sustainability into workplace design?
It goes back to life-centric designs that holistically consider office-user health and well-being from multiple angles. Some examples are open balconies that make fresh air and green elements more accessible and creating an indoor/outdoor environment that can significantly improve quality of life at work.
A biophilic design, which incorporates elements of nature and greenery, is also being embraced for its positive impact on indoor environmental quality and office-user well-being. Some examples of how biophilic elements are weaved into design include an urban native woodland and artificial wetlands, sky gardens, external and interior green walls and roofing, and nature-themed materials and furnishings.
For tropical and subtropical climates, we need to optimise a building’s orientation to maximise natural daylight and ventilation and minimise heat gain. It’s important to incorporate passive design strategies that utilise shading devices, overhangs and the building form to reduce reliance on air-conditioning. High-performance building envelope designs, including highly reflective colours, efficient glazing systems and airtight construction can be used to minimise energy loss too. This is part of the larger sustainability megatrend which prioritises healthy, energy- and resource-efficient design at every level.
We have also begun using “sponge city” elements in our building designs to address flash rainfall events — they absorb rain like a sponge and then drain it into the environment slowly to avoid flash floods.
In short, changes in working practices and attitudes have bolstered the need for future-ready built environments in office spaces, with greater emphasis now placed on employee well-being and comfort.
A new and exciting project will be unveiled at the up-and-coming new ParkCity TownCenter in the award-winning township of Desa ParkCity.
This hybrid commercial in collaboration with RLP Asia will boast a creatively-curated and harmonious blend of office, wellness and retail spaces.
The Hong Kong-based RLP Asia is a multiple-award winning architectural practice. Last year, it collected a total of nine gongs at the Hong Kong Green Building Council & Professional Green Building Council’s Green Building Award 2023. On top of that, RLP Asia took home three top prizes at the Hong Kong Institute of Architects 2022/2023 Awards!
Stay tuned to find out more about ParkCity TownCenter!
