A responsive architecture practice able to adapt to changing regulations
Covid-19 has left business owners facing a barrage of new regulations and social distancing measures that need to be implemented before their people can safely return to work. Jackson O’Connor Architecture’s expertise and knowledge has been invaluable to their clients during this time.
Changing plans to reflect a changing landscape
When JOA were appointed by Troup, Bywaters + Anders http://tbanda.com to re-design their existing Central London offices, the brief was to create a space that respected the fantastic heritage of the double-height listed building, that responded to their people’s health & wellbeing and need for flexible working practices, increasing interaction and collaboration amongst teams and the agility to grow. The BREEAM Outstanding design reflects the focus on the overall ‘wellness’ of the building, the client sought an uplifting and inspiring space that would reflect the culture of the Partnership.
The coronavirus pandemic hit just as building work was about to begin and the project had to be revised to incorporate new social distancing and safety measures in response to evolving Government guidelines.
Working closely with the client, JOA was quick to respond to emerging Covid-19 Secure guidelines, developing a social distanced phase concentrating on elements centred on safety and sensible spend whilst mitigating future change and enabling the client to progress to the full design once the post-Covid landscape is better understood.
JOA focused on improved ventilation and ease of cleaning through reconfigured desk spaces, personal storage and adapted space, combined with a series of tools developed with the client’s visual identity team – distancing markers, one way movement around the office and reconfigured desk spaces. A new working strategy combining personal wireless desktop technology is centred on people’s safety, allowing daily sanitisation, working rotas and flexible hours.
Shared areas (kitchens, coffee stations, and toilets) were adapted to include waiting zones so that only one person could enter at a time. Touch free technology, foot levers, personal lockers and hand sanitizer stations were all incorporated into the revised design.
The newly designed offices reflect the new blended working strategy with around 50% of the people in the office for collaboration and training purposes and the flexibility for all to be working remotely, with flexibility for rotation. These works are fast nearing completion on site.
JOA is a versatile and responsive architecture practice. Our expertise in planning, regulations and guidelines can help businesses to achieve compliancy and provide safe work spaces for their people whilst providing a sustainable, uplifting, flexible and compliant working environment.