By Roel Boer — founder of Nordgard
The office has been a fixture of corporate life for decades. But as technology makes remote work more common and flexible, it’s becoming clear that the office won’t last much longer. What will we do with all of that space?
How the office might change forever
Remote work is a permanent change, not a temporary solution. That is an important one we should all etch into our minds — especially people in leadership positions. The office will never be the same. It will become smaller, more flexible and open, and more collaborative. The need for remote is one, and the need for company-hosted bonding is a second. The office will become an idea, rather than physical space. The workplace is all around us, so to speak.
People won’t need to be in an office together because they’re always connected through email and chat platforms like Slack, Teams, and any tool that fits the company’s needs. I ran a team for years over just Skype. Whatever works. This alone makes it much easier for people from around the world to collaborate on projects without needing to travel or even meet face-to-face very often if at all — and that’s before we consider how much time and energy could be saved by simply not having meetings.
Async is the standard
If you want to be successful remotely, you need to learn how to be a master of async communication. Sure, it’s not as easy as being able to pop into the office for an impromptu meeting or two each day — but it’s absolutely possible if you’re willing to put in the time and effort.
Async communication will help you get more done by allowing you to focus on one thing at a time, which means fewer distractions and less stress. It gives you prioritization and a to-do list you can actually finish. You’ll also be able to manage your workload more because it’s easier to tell when something needs your attention — or if something doesn’t need your attention at all.
What to do with all of that leftover space?
The office, once a place where you spent nine-to-five in your boxy cubicle with your coworkers, will soon become a relic of the past. As remote work becomes more popular and companies need to downsize their physical footprint, there are many questions floating around about what it all means for business leaders.
Hosting employees in one central location has always been expensive — and now that more people are working remotely, the question of what to do with all that space remains hanging over business leaders. The answer is simple: move into smaller offices or get rid of them altogether. It’s also possible that companies might move away from traditional offices altogether and opt for more flexible “hotelling” arrangements where employees can work from any location as needed. Coworking is another great example of how the office is being replaced by shared office spaces like the increasingly popular coworking spaces. Of course, I’m a little biased on this front, but with a market that is currently increasing 25% YoY. It makes sense to assume more people will venture out into coworking situations.
Alternatives to repurpose office space
As office buildings reopen and workers return to their desks, the question of what to do with all of that space remains hanging over business leaders. What to do with all that space? The obvious one is to completely shut the office and turn the building into housing. Though, the idea we completely stopping using office space might be a bit too wild (for now). Perhaps some ideas to repurpose a large part of that office space can help.
If you don’t want to give up the office completely (I don’t really think you have to give it up 100%) — maybe there are ways to repurpose parts of it.
Craft room
A craft room is all about creating, so it can be used for many different types of crafts. In fact, a craft room can be used for many other activities as well. A home office is often referred to as “the man cave,” but having a place where you can work and play at the same time can really help you stay motivated throughout your day. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your craft room! You might want to start out by creating an area that’s dedicated solely to your favorite type of hobby or activity — for example, if you enjoy knitting and crocheting, consider setting up shelves that house yarns and patterns along with embroidery hoops and spools of thread in several different colors (or even patterns). You could also divide the space into zones where each activity has its own designated area; this way when people come over they’ll see how organized things are while still being able to appreciate what kind of hobbies bring joy into your life.”
Office Gym
If you are into health, there’s no better place to create a gym than in that huge open space of the office. Add some resistance bands, weights, and a yoga mat to keep yourself and your staff in top shape. Look for equipment that’s durable, easy to assemble and transport, and comfortable. Look for sturdy materials like metal or hard plastics, which won’t break down over time. You’ll also want equipment you can easily move around in case you need to rearrange the space for other purposes again.
There are so many different ways you can repurpose the office to make it more functional. Some of the ideas mentioned above may seem a little out there — but if you want your company to withstand the test of time through the increasing popularity of remote work. Ask yourself, why would people come to “the office”? And provide an answer in its utility.