Space Interrupted

Long rows of worksurfaces, called benching, introduced concerns about close distances to colleagues and spread of germs.  This seemed a contrived comment, coming from a dislike of openness.  Yes, now, space has been interrupted.  

Leonardo daVinci’s Vitruvian Man is an image associated with proportion and health/fitness. My first lesson of proportion as a child, mom - a dress designer - showed me how to measure one yard of fabric from nose to fingertips of a stretched arm.  For convenient measure, both arms stretched out is close to six feet.  

Individual Work Spaces will bear the new metric planning - six feet.  Wiggle room should be considered; movement is not static.  Immediate possibilities for safety:  add screens between desk spaces - desktop (min. 20”H) or full height (60-65”H).  Other possibilities:  staggering occupancy of every-other workstation or stagger number of people coming into the office.  Work from home guidelines may resolve the density and six foot zones.   

One-way aisles were brilliant grocery distancing around contemplative shoppers.  Did you get any sneers going the wrong way? The same may be implemented in your space (for now).  Predetermined pause points off to the side of the path may allow a quick collaboration when you see a colleague you have been wanting to talk to.  

Gathering spaces for collaboration will change.  What comes to mind if we think space can inspire and support innovation.  What does it look like?  What natural elements can you foresee that make you feel exhilarated?   Inspiration may come to you alone or thinking together.

These are all in-the-moment thoughts.  What happens next - no one knows.  Every organization is different with different needs. Space needs to be a collaborative discovery to best suit your organization.  We are entering an era called regenerative design, meaning thinking ahead.