FURNITURE FIX

OFFICE FURNITURE IS GETTING A MAKEOVER OF SORTS, ESPECIALLY POST PANDEMIC, AS THE FOCUS SHIFTS TO A HYBRID WORKING MODEL.

- BINDU GOPAL RAO

The key to creating the workplace of the future is to view employees as unique individuals with specific needs rather than as generalised 'workers' while keeping empathy at the forefront, even when it comes to office designs.

NEW VISTAS

A recent study from Godrej Interio revealed that 84 per cent of the workforce expect a good work-life balance from their jobs. Essentially, the workplace of the future must address public health requirements, individual employee needs, and deliver economic value to businesses through adaptive ways of engaging with their ecosystems. "Focus rooms can help employees harness a burst of productivity, through home-like privacies and focused screens. At the same time, large spaces help teams to brainstorm and create a social bond. This also includes a variety of workstation configurations, ranging from the traditional sit-down desk to customisable sit-stand Smart Desks. In uncertain times, the concept of larger floor spaces with service cores that fit in more functional aspects for building diversification shall be an effective remedy.

 Since sustainability in furniture is an earnest necessity, purchasing trendy office furniture is no longer just about looks. It is both aesthetically pleasing and healthy to design products and choose materials with long-term value retention supporting 'circular design models. These furniture products do not utilise any chemicals and don't release any unpleasant volatile compounds," says Devesh Mistry, DGM - Chief of Workspace Design, Godrej Interior.

HYBRID WORKING