The pandemic has altered many things about modern living. Concepts like coworking which once seemed like an ideal way to share resources and space have now become easy ways for the coronavirus to spread. The risk has forced many workers to continue to work from home, even after their states have lifted COVID restrictions. The situation has become so severe that the office business in cities like Los Angeles have seen their worst quarter since the Great Depression, with transactions 60 to 70% below normal, leaving many to wonder if the age of shared office space is ending.
What are the dangers of shared office spaces?
In the beginning, when coronavirus was thought to be spread primarily by touch, frequent handwashing and keeping surfaces clean seemed to be sufficient to limit the spread. Now that we know that the virus is usually passed through large droplets and aerosols, the air inside of offices is of much greater concern.
The truth is, even before Covid, indoor air wasn’t necessarily safe. The EPA lists the following sources as the major contaminants inside office buildings:
- furnishings
- occupant activities
- housekeeping practices
- pesticide applications
- microbial contamination
Unfortunately, existing HVAC systems are often laid out to recirculate indoor air, enabling exchanges of air between different parts of the building. This type of system allows pollutants such as airborne viruses to be circulated around the building instead of being eliminated.
This means that even if the doors remain shut, contaminated air from different parts of the building could still potentially enter offices.
Is it possible to safely share office space?
Yes, with the right precautions. The pandemic has forced building owners and architects to take innovative approaches towards office buildings. These new concepts offer a number of advantages that may set the framework for how people share workspaces in a post-COVID world.
What are some new ways that buildings are being designed to keep workers safer?
Incorporating the outdoors
Office buildings in areas with moderate year-round climates are being designed to include the peacefulness and cleaner air of nature. Second Home, a London-based coworking company, converted a community center and parking lot in Los Angeles into 60 separate workspaces surrounded by lush gardens. Workers are able to look out of their glass walls and see one another, but they don’t have to share hallways or elevators. Each studio has windows that open, allowing them access to the clean air and soothing sounds of the garden.
Prioritizing physical distancing
Scientists have continued to emphasize the importance of maintaining at least 6 feet distance from other people, especially indoors. Architectural firms, like Margulies Perruzzi in Boston are designing blueprints that businesses can follow to figure how to create space for social distance in the office. In addition to advising a limit of 25% staff capacity, the blueprints also recommend arranging desks and cubicles at a safe distance and designating pathways to keep people moving in just one direction.
Utilizing open floor plans
Although open floor plans have been shown to be less productive than cubicles or offices, they do offer some advantages in minimizing transmission rates. Open floor plans are easier to clean and limit the amount of surface areas that employees touch. While it may seem that separate offices would provide more protection, since most buildings use the same HVAC system, office doors do little to stop the spread of germs. Open floor plans allow room for social distancing without requiring workers to touch door handles and cubicle openings, which often carry germs.
Choosing the best building materials.
Non-porous materials like steel, quartz, and Corian are easier to sanitize. Some materials, like copper and silver have natural properties to destroy microorganisms. Using these materials for frequently touched areas such as faucets, door push plates, toilets, and wall tiles can help lower transmission in offices.
Using helpful technology
Incorporating touchless technology into the building’s layout can help to minimize the virus’s spread. The following can all be useful:
- Motion sensors to turn on lights and faucets
- Automatic doors
- Elevators and AV systems that can be controlled from a smartphone
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