Page 49 - Designing Ways 246

The designers have also paid particular
attention to acoustics. In the areas with
desks, sounds are muted by carpets and
sound absorbent material on the ceiling
and in the furniture. Near the central
staircase and in other areas intended for
socialising, the architects deliberately
used less sound absorbent material to
create a socialising space and draw people
in to chat and brainstorm ideas.
Security and access technologies have
taken big strides in the wake of COVID-19,
and many new and existing solutions have
been thrust forward to prepare offices for
the return of the work force. It is about
creating a safe, healthy and efficient
environment in which people and assets
are protected and businesses can thrive.
As many organisations allow people to
work remotely, at least some of the time,
it is worth remembering that distributed
collaboration has a long history. What that
history and our contemporary experience
show is that supportive infrastructure, still need in person touch points that In a world that enables and leverages
technologies and organisational provide opportunities to clarify and align work from home at scale, it is all the more
processes are necessary but not sufficient expectations, to refresh rules and work important to bring people back together
for productive collaboration. People practices, and to build or revive trust. in offices to deliver on those human needs.
dw

FALCON ORION SIENA

www.chairexpress.co.za
Tel: 011 434 0444,
Email:Shantelle@chairexpress.co.za
44 Hulbert Rd Cnr Rosettenville Rd,
New Centre, Johannesburg
PO Box 39799, Booysens, 2016
dw • Issue 246 49