I’ve been space planning and designing shared workplace centers for over 30 years. Now, I find that many of the guiding principles I’ve been using are yesterday’s news.
Space is one of the two major costs in shared workplace center operations. Covid-19 is changing our space allocation rules. Among the new rules, is the requirement to separate people at least 6 feet apart. As an example of how this effects space usage, consider this. My son is a teacher. His classroom normally holds 30 students. New pandemic separation rules now allow a maximum of 15 students in that same space. Where do the other 15 students go? Do we build a bigger school or do we repurpose under utilized space in the current facility?
This same principle can be applied to space planning shared workplace centers with one major difference. If we apply the same classroom space example, a center will lose 15 workstations that will result in less revenue opportunities.
So, how do we handle this workstation loss? In open co-work spaces, we could use plexiglass shields between workstations. The 6′ separation would still be required. Helpful, but doesn’t return the space to its original density. Another possible solution may be adding small, high density enclosed workstations to the space. This would re-capture the workstation loss but would be costly in additional construction. A third solution is similar to my school room example. It involves a re-analysis of the shared workplace center’s current space utilization and a re-purpose plan for under utilized spaces. Constructions costs could be incurred also with this solution. However, this third alternative will make up workstation losses and provide flexibility for future space requirements.
Other common spaces will also be subject to new planning rules. Remember those 20 person conference rooms that were so common in centers? Healthy separation will allow only 10 persons in that same space. Cafe’s that were high density gathering spots will be effected also. People will be reluctant to sit close to each other. Their configurations may be changed to a “take out” food model.
So, a lot of questions about new rules remain. Not just in space planning but also in technology and interior environmental topics. Future blogs will dive deeper into these questions and continue to look to others for their input.
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