As businesses around the country bring their people back to the workplace, their focus is on “people-first places” with health and wellbeing at their hearts, says Cushman & Wakefield’s Maria Russo-Fama.
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Three key takeaways:
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Wellness was a workplace trend prior to the pandemic. But Cushman & Wakefield’s director of client services Maria Russo-Fama believes wellness is now a “non-negotiable requirement”.
Evidence of this shift is found in the volume of Cushman & Wakefield clients undertaking WELL Building certification, she says.
Cushman & Wakefield has identified five “essentials” for a healthy workplace following deep analysis and discussion with clients. The essentials start with mobility, which encompasses everything from the journey to work to the experience of moving around within it.
Choice, the second ‘essential’, recognises that people have enjoyed their personalised creature comforts of working from home, and now expect a customised experience in the office.
“The home is now a workplace, gym, school, café, and a place of sanctuary. We are also enjoying a greater connection with nature. The home gives us the freedom to work from a variety of spaces that suit both the work and our personal preferences, and which change throughout the workday.”
Cushman & Wakefield expects this personalisation to play out in the office in multiple ways, from yoga rooms to sleeping pods to pet-friendly policies. “We’re seeing the introduction of lounge settings, re-energising stations, acoustic phone booths for private conversations, and plenty of informal collaboration spaces, as well as community spaces. These contemporary additions provide employees with the choice to work in a way that suits their work style.”
Leading-edge designs are already replicating the best home comforts in the office. Russo-Fama points to Skygarden London – three levels of spectacular public spaces within the glass dome of 20 Fenchurch Street, known affectionally as the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building. “In this space, the connection to nature is maximised through biophilic design, providing a tranquil oasis within the busy financial district of London.”
Belonging is another essential factor in the future workplace. Many landlords are looking beyond the four walls of their own building to create a sense of community. Another London development, 22 Bishopsgate, is instructive. This 62-storey “village for city workers” was completed in 2021. The 278-metre-high commercial building has impressive shared spaces, including a market with food stalls, open kitchens and a hidden speakeasy. There’s dynamic spaces for learning and education, a gym with climbing wall and a ‘retreat’ with medical, holistic and wellness services alongside a yoga studio.
Social interaction and learning round out five essentials, and Cushman & Wakefield notes increased employee engagement directly translates into a spike in employee retention of up to 87 per cent. “The focus has shifted from business-focused design to people-focused design.”
Cushman & Wakefield’s companion Building Health Checklist encourages asset owners, managers and occupiers to think beyond standard condition and compliance risks. “We can’t see the quality of the air we breathe. Testing is so important, especially when the building space is occupied to capacity,” Russo-Fama says.
As we place our workplaces under the microscope, we can create healthier buildings. “And healthy buildings means healthy humans which equals healthy businesses.”