Assembling Your Space Planning Team

 As we continue dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are looking to commercial architects for advice on how to design their workplaces to maximize the health and safety of everyone. While it may not be possible to tear down the whole building and start from scratch, there are certain modifications you can make to your workspaces that create a safer environment and improve indoor air quality. If you’re in the process of assembling your space planning team to develop a return to office (RTO) plan, here are some tips for you:

  • Check the latest cleaning and disinfecting guidelines from the CDC. You’re undoubtedly cleaning your building more, especially while the CDC continues to release pertinent information, like the importance of disposing personal protection equipment (PPE) immediately after use. When planning for your RTO, note the communal areas that receive the most foot traffic, because these areas will need to be disinfected more efficiently and frequently. 
  • Evaluate your air ventilation systems. We know that COVID-19 is an airborne virus, so high-quality air ventilation and filtration is a must. Most of us don’t work in places that keep the windows open all day. So when fresh air 24/7 isn’t an option, investing in top-of-the-line air filters and ventilation systems is the next best thing.
  • Redesign your office space to allow for social distancing. Most corporate offices have an open floor plan. With that said, many companies have to reevaluate their office design in order to bring people back to work safely. This is an area where you should seek the advice of a commercial architect who can make the safest use of your existing space. They can also make recommendations about how to redesign your workplace to adhere to proper social distancing.

Commercial architecture to promote safety 

Many people think architects only get involved in projects at the very beginning stages, which is not the case. Many commercial architects work on redesigning and replanning office spaces that have existed for many years. You don’t need to start from scratch in order to make your workplace safe; there are clever ways to adapt your current space. And if your employees are currently working from home, now is the perfect time to redesign your office. 

Many experts have warned that we will not be returning to “normal” for a very long time, and encouraged employers to make the necessary workplace modifications now in order to keep staff safe and socially distant from one another. For more information about adapting your workplace to adhere to the latest COVID-19 health and safety protocol, or if you have any other questions about commercial architecture, please contact us today. Discover why so many people in New Jersey partner with us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Originally posted https://leeb-architecture.com/assembling-your-space-planning-team/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Essential Restaurant Design Tips from a Commercial Architect

Image
A successful restaurant brings many different elements together to deliver a comprehensively enjoyable experience to diners – and one of the most critical of these elements is the design of the space itself. Here are some insights from a  commercial architect  in NJ on how to make the most of your restaurant design. Prioritize your spending:  Restaurant design and fitment costs can escalate rapidly and the sky’s the limit. It’s best to first focus your spending on the most critical areas – creating a functional layout for the kitchen and dining space, installing effective task and dining lighting, and investing in robust and comfortable seating that fits the space. Settle on your brand and image:  After the budget is set for those areas, look for a few striking elements to add personality to your space and advertise your brand. It’s important that these elements are well thought-out and directly align with the restaurant’s overall theme. Here, customization is a great idea – h
Read more

How Biophilic Design Can Increase Workplace Productivity

Image
Biophilic design has changed how we think about creating workspaces. By bringing natural elements into the built environment, biophilic design creates a peaceful and productive atmosphere that significantly affects how people are in the workplace. In this article, our team of  commercial architects in NJ  discuss the biophilic design concept and how it can change the way people work for the better.  What is “Biophilic Design” and How Does it Affect Work Environments? Biophilic design is a new way of building that tries to bring people closer to nature by using natural elements, materials, and shapes in buildings. It considers the fact that people innately have the need to be in touch with nature, and utilizes that connection to make us healthier and more productive. Research  has shown that the way a workplace is designed can have a significant effect on how employees feel and how well they do their jobs. Biophilic office design uses natural light, plants, and organic materials to lowe
Read more

How to Keep Commercial Building Costs On-Budget

Image
Commercial building projects are highly complex and demanding – and it’s important that they not only stay on schedule, but that they stay on budget too. While unforeseen circumstances can push both of these goals out, there are ways recommended by  Commercial architecture in NJ   to help prevent delays and rising costs. Know the Weak Points in  Commercial Building Design  and Construction Projects  When a commercial building project is facing delays and rising costs, there are several areas where weak points in the project are often found. By knowing these weak points and having a strategy that prevents them from collapsing, your project should move forward much more smoothly. These weak points include: Lack of vital design information –  Incomplete architectural plans that lack certain details and specifications will cause confusion, delays, miscommunication and even more work due to tear-outs. Choosing cheap contractors –  Contractors are often chosen based on the lowes
Read more