The need for a reimagined office, prompted by greater remote working, has caused companies to pursue the development of products that support flexible workspace. Widespread adoption of work-from-home policies is likely to make the office less of a daily touchdown space and more of a place to promote organizational culture and innovation. Spaces therefore need to be nimbler; they need to allow for shared desking and rotating activities in the same area. Employees with split office shifts will be sharing dedicated workspace, putting a premium on adjustability. Designs of this nature are intentionally geared toward the long term, providing lasting solutions well after the pandemic is over.

Personal protection and safety have become a greater concern in risk assessment within the work environment. The pandemic has caused companies to rethink user interfaces, favoring touch-free alternatives. It has also caused companies to rethink materiality, favoring more hygienic options that can be easily cleaned. Such concerns go beyond the pandemic itself, as a renewed societal focus on well-being leads employees to express expectations for healthier spaces in general. Related demands for more inclusive spaces could prompt increased adoption of universal design principles to ensure a consistent user experience among all groups.

The pandemic has accelerated home office usage, a trend that will persist for the long term. Companies that have typically focused on commercial product solutions are now pursuing residential alternatives. The companies that do this most successfully will equip employees to be as productive at home as they were in the office — or even more so. In the process, they will boost retention and morale and position themselves well in the war for talent. This approach also enables companies to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. As they pivot, they can invest in products that are carbon neutral and designed for disassembly.