In recent weeks we have had a great deal of enquiries from clients ReEvaluating and looking to ReConfigure their existing workspace environments. Many companies are considering cost effective options to ReWork their existing officespace to meet expectations in a post-pandemic world. Have you considered ReThinking your current officespace fitout?
Going forward, every aspect of how a workspace will be utilised needs to be ReEvaluated. From the frequency with which workers are physically in the office, how shared spaces are used and what new equipment is now required in their personal workspace, is all of heightened importance.
Economic use of existing space when the parameters have changed is also a challenge. For instance, are large collab zones still required? Can they be downsized? Has the equipment and furniture needs in these meeting spaces changed? Instead of a round meeting table in the middle of the room, is a flat sided table against a wall a more practical option with a large wall mounted screen at head height for zoom calls? Do kitchens need to be larger to allow for social distancing during busy times, or smaller as workers are eating more frequently at their desks or even venturing out for lunch? If privacy partitions are added to desks, does this mean less separate offices are needed? If a floorplan size has been reduced through clever desk placement, can the same number of desks be utilised, but still maintain social distancing? Are there office equipment changes that need to be considered? Is the massive photocopier still appropriate when printing is being discouraged due to it’s environmental impact? Are hot-desks a thing of the past? Or if still required, are easy clean chairs preferable in these spaces?
There are many cost effective ways of reconfiguring a workspace, particularly if your budget only extends to office furniture upgrades. In conjunction with our office furniture supply partner Joinery Makers, our highly creative Design Team can make suggestions for an existing or new workspace based on your revised needs at this time. The breadth of our interior fitout services extends from assistance with basic restyling, simple reconfigurations or tweaks of certain elements of your floorplan, to the full-blown redesign of an existing workspace or the complete design and interior fitout of a new space perhaps at a reduced size.
Joinery Makers is our business partner and a Melbourne-based company priding themselves in offering bespoke office furniture and custom joinery solutions. Operating throughout Australia and known for their quality products, the Joinery Makers product range is extensive, warehoused locally and therefore available immediately. TOPIC Interiors have specified Joinery Makers’ products on many of our projects, and can guarantee they provide clients with a level of product quality and customer service that exceeds expectations. A simple office furniture refresh is a cost effective way to breathe new life into a work environment, whilst meeting new officespace expectations.
Joinery Makers range of office furniture includes the following…
Joinery Makers’ privacy screens are made of an attractive noise-absorbing fabric that attach with a simple clasp. These screens provide a sense of privacy as well as an acoustic barrier in open plan workspaces. Aiding with social-distancing requirements in offices, privacy screens add a physical boundary between workmates and an element of personal protection. These screens fit with Joinery Makers’ Oxford and Bond workstations. Available in five different colours…
Grey fabric acoustic panel – OX-W1030 (1600L x 22W x 300H)
Charcoal fabric acoustic panel – OX-W1030 (1600L x 22W x 300H)
Grey acoustic panel – OX-W1034 (1600L x 18W x 300H)
Chocolate fabric acoustic panel – OX-W1044 (1600L x 22W x 300H)
Mint fabric acoustic panel – OX-W1045 (1600L x 22W x 300H)
Joinery Makers’ range of PU leather chairs are not only easy to wipe down, but the cut-out backrest of the high back option allows for air circulation for improved wellbeing of the person seated. They are ideal for a breakout room or boardroom application. Available in low or high back, and either tan or black PU leather, these office chairs are not only comfortable, but stylish. Available in four options…
Tan PU leather – RE-C1007 (low back)
Black PU leather – RE-C1008 (low back)
Tan PU leather – RE-C1005 (high back)
Black PU leather – RE-C1006 (high back). Pictured here.
Joinery Makers’ workstations come in a variety of sizes to suit the available floor space and social distancing requirements. These high quality desks are available in a number of top and leg types, and are suitable for smaller spaces in single, 2 or 4 person configurations, or come in larger sizes for collaborative spaces in 6,8 or 10 person options.
The Property Council is calling on the business community and government to rally around ‘Fab Fridays’ – a campaign to encourage people back to Melbourne’s CBD after months of COVID restrictions.
Three key takeaways:
Fab Fridays aims to showcase the best of Melbourne’s CBD with a program of free events and incentives to attract workers back to the office in a COVIDSafe way
Melbourne’s CBD recorded only 24% occupancy in the final week of February, according to the latest Property Council data
Property Council modelling shows Victoria could lose more than $2.5 billion of economic activity without a significant increase in office occupancy.
Danni Hunter, the Property Council’s Victorian executive director, says the Fab Fridays campaign is designed to reignite the excitement of being in the CBD on a Friday.
“Fridays are about celebrating the week and anticipating the weekend. COVID has changed so many things about our life, but the joy of catching up in person with your colleagues and friends is irreplaceable,” Hunter says.
“With only 24 per cent of workers back in Melbourne’s CBD, and hospitality businesses and retailers missing much-needed foot traffic, the Property Council has come up with the idea to get people back to the office on Fab Fridays, to play, stay and spend in the city into the evening and weekend.”
Hunter says Fab Fridays will bring together the business community and government to “incentivise Melbourne’s workers back into the city on a Friday in a safe and structured way”.
Office owners, employers, cafes and restaurants and retailers are being asked to get on board by staging early morning activities, like group yoga, providing free or discounted food and coffee options in the office, introducing a ‘4pm knockoff pledge’ or showcasing Fridays in the city on social media.
“We are calling on CBD bosses to make the 4pm knockoff pledge, encouraging workers to leave the office together and either go for a walk through the city or enjoy a cheeky after-work drink at a city pub.”
Hunter says free public transport would also encourage Melburnians into the CBD on Friday night.
“Melbourne’s CBD is the heart of our state’s economy. Without a significant increase in office occupancy, our modelling shows Victoria could lose out on more than $2.5 billion of economic activity. This activity supports tens of thousands of jobs, especially in the retail and hospitality industries,” she says.
“Melbourne’s CBD supports more than 48,000 public sector jobs,” Hunter adds. The Property Council is calling on the government to “make a concerted effort” to encourage people back to the office on Fridays, and to “come to the table” with their own incentives and initiatives.
Fab Fridays will launch officially on Friday 23 April. Interested organisations can get in touch with the Property Council’s team at vic@propertycouncil.com.au.
