Resilience
While the focus of the economic recovery packages will be on creating jobs and boosting incomes as we come out of the crisis, this crisis could be a catalyst for change leading to a better normal. The pandemic has given employers a new perspective and, possibly, an opportunity to reshape their operations in response to these trends.
Two main drivers of change, which pre-date the virus, are digital technology and social change, with a focus on health and well-being.
Lockdown suggests there may be an opportunity for a more “agile” workforce with less on-site working, creating happier workforces, boosting production, and cutting costs and carbon and a change in attitudes towards remote working;
Innovation, productivity and growth can be reignited and accelerated within a workplace that is designed to balance diverse ways of working while supporting people’s wellbeing more than ever and respond quickly and easily when faced with disruption.
The three key strategies to consider when designing new spaces for resilience in the long term, are:
- Adaptability: space designed for adaptability and reconfiguration, including areas that are able to accommodate different degrees of distancing
- Inclusive Design: equal levels of safe participation regardless of age, abilities or health issues
- Remote Work: remote working options codified to support employees with appropriate, effective and comfortable setups
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