The future of work will undoubtedly change as workers continue to fear the spread of COVID-19 and Neu Concept has proposed a solution to keep employees interacting and working alongside each other safely. The privately held oot design and manufacturing facility in Durham debuted custom "presentation sets" to create a polished yet safe working environment for office spaces that include increased barriers between desks and meeting rooms.
The new concept focuses on creating translucent barriers that enable colleagues to see one another while having a protective shield to prevent germs from spreading from coughs or sneezes. In addition, offices would have clearly marked pathways that direct the flow of traffic and limit walking to one direction to reduce congestion. These solutions can easily be implemented to existing office spaces without significant modification.
Post-Pandemic Office Concepts
New Concept Debuted Mockups of the Future of Work After COVID-19
Trend Themes
1. Translucent Barrier - The trend of translucent barriers can lead to innovation opportunities in creating new materials that are not only protective but also aesthetically pleasing.
2. One-way Pathway - The trend of one-way pathways can lead to innovation opportunities for creating smart technology that can detect and direct traffic in real-time based on occupancy and congestion levels.
3. Custom Presentation Set - The trend of custom presentation sets can lead to innovation opportunities for designing and manufacturing customized office furniture that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Industry Implications
1. Office Furniture - The office furniture industry can innovate by creating customizable furniture that is designed to promote productivity and safety in the post-pandemic workplace.
2. Smart Technology - The smart technology industry can innovate by creating systems that can detect occupancies and congestion levels in real-time, and direct traffic flow in the office accordingly.
3. Architecture and Design - The architecture and design industry can innovate by creating new office layouts and workspaces that prioritize hygiene, safety, and productivity in the post-pandemic workplace.