• What are some of the key strategies implemented by your team for workplaces in the past year to ensure safety and workplace efficiency?
When the pandemic hit us somewhere in first week of March 2020 we immediately realised this is serious and can have catastrophic effect if not handled on priority. We moved all our office staff to work from home. We provided them with all the infrastructure from laptops to chairs or desks wherever needed. Being in execution industry where a majority of the staff worked on sites we ensured they too started coordinating form home. These fast decisions helped us avoid any cases when the pandemic started. But later when the lockdown was lifted we knew work has to go on. So entire planning was done keeping in mind that the impact of thie Covid will last long. From arranging private vehicles for our staff to travel, arrnagin proper accomdation for our labors along with inhouse cooked food, regular testing of team working In close contact and finally quick vaccination of our staff helped us avoid any major casualty/ issues even during the 2nd wave. With over 95% staff and labors vaccinated we are not hopeful of coming out of this in a more confident mindset.
• What has been the impact of the low-touch economy on workplace design? Could you share with us what you identify as the short-term fads and long-term trends in this sector?
We were all caught off guard when the covid struck the world. But we all bounced back faster and adapted to the situation. The biggest challenge of Covid was restriction in human connect. TO reduce health risk most companies were forced to adapt strict regulations which included low touch interactions, reduced face to face meeting, travel was restricted to only very important ones and work form home became the new normal. And I think now these have become the new normal atleast for some more time till we get out of the covid pandemic. these pointers impacted the workplace design in lot of ways. The entire real estate industry has now started looking at office design in a different viewpoint. Use of technology became one of the focal point of the workplace design and employee safety for long term was the key aspect while designing the offices. Hybrid work model became the most suitable way of working for most organisations. How can organisations combine remote workers with an In-person component at their existing office spaces now that people are starting to gather in person again was the reason why Hybrid work model has become popular. Also I think more than short term fads these are more long term coz as workplaces start to reopen organisations are finding that their workforce in not keep to give up remote work
• Given the accelerated pace of transformation, what emerging technologies is the industry working with? How is technology impacting workplace design?
As companies across the globe try to bounce back form this pandemic use of technology has become the focal point. Without the right technology and tools peak productivity just isn’t attainable no matter how amazing a workplace you create.
Some of the emerging technologies can be noted as
1. Use of Cloud computing which involves access and storage of information over the internet instead of traditional local storages.
2. AR/VR to boost employee training are being increasingly adopted by HR to recruit, train and retain employees. This will also slowly become prominent in the video conferencing mode of communciation
3. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based tools to create more simple and efficient workflow
4. Also use of Virtual Personal Assistant will be used to perform a variety of personal tasks and help in answering questions in real time, scheduling meetings
• Sustainability was a key factor for every company prior to the pandemic; has it now taken a back seat? How are companies working towards balancing sustainability with safety in the post-pandemic era?
Covid has changed our present and very likely our future too but despite the serious economic issues facing companies everywhere the commitment to sustainability remains strong. And sustainability has become a core part of the business strategy for most companies. So I can say on the contrary sustainability has not taken a back seat.
Use of filters to increase the air quality, use of occupancy sensors and motion sensors to reduce use of electricity, use of biophilia in office to increase oxygen levels, use of biodegradable products even though its slightly expensive (like carpets are some of the points companies are focussing to balance both sustainability and safety
• Can you see any elements in workplace design that will disappear?
I think WFH is a trend that will continue and with that there are changes expected in the way offices will be planned in the near future. And with this some of the elements that can disappear will be
1. Everyday everybody in office will cess to exist . flexibility in working day and location will be a choice to employees
2.