orkplace Reentry Resiliency
Preparing for business reopening is top-of-mind these days. On June 3, moderator
Lori Urwin of
HOK lead a panel of
design, construction, furniture and
technology professionals through key considerations for workplace reopening from their specialty perspective.
Underpinning the
design perspective is asking the right questions.
Susan Chang of
HOK highlighted their four-pronged reentry approach that includes supply-demand modelling, planning and design modifications, policy, practice, technology and operations recommendations, and flexibility and scaling. This process enables good social distancing without creating social isolation.
Joel Brown of
mform Construction Group gave his
construction perspective stating that 55 percent of Canada's construction materials come from Wuhan, China. Taking this critical supply chain disruption into account, project schedule forecasting and alternative materials sourcing will move new construction and renovation projects forward.
Among company reopening concerns is, will I be able to use the same furniture? During his
furniture perpective presentation,
Ben Findlay of
Office Source/SCI Interiors confirmed that yes, you can use your existing furntiure. Interior design modifications using existing furniture will enable physical workplace distancing without impacting productivity.
Russel Smith of
DTS Inc. wrapped up with his
technology perspective. He demonstrated new smart phone applications that provide common area usage, such as in washrooms, meeting rooms and general office areas, in real time. The ability to make decisions using workplace capacity snapshots reduces employer and employee fears and anxieties about maintaining physcial distancing when returning to work.
View webinar recording (login required)