Studio Buschow are working with local and gobal clients to help them get back working. What does the new workplace look like? How will it need to change to address the requirements both of staff and the business? Please join our discussions.

1. Sixpoints to make
the workplace safe…

2. Introduction.During these challenging times, our workplaces have the potential to become
a second safe place. Upon arriving safely, staff should expect clear instructions
for moving around the workplace, evidence of how it has been made safe, and
explanations regarding areas that have been repurposed to best meet their
new necessities. Instead of another prison, the new workplace should offer
a second safe place which can be shared with colleagues.
2

3. One.Assess workplace density to
prioritise physical distancing.
In the current situation many staff do not feel the need to come into the office
just to work on their own. The demands on space are reduced with less need
for numerous workstations. Using current layouts safe physical distancing
measures should be prioritised to match workstation occupancy levels.
3

4. Two.Identify potential layout pinch points.
Staff will still need to move around the workplace – to get in and out,
use shared resources, meet with colleagues and get to their allocated
workstation. All potential pinch points along these journeys should be identified
and solutions may include removing furniture to increase safe movement
routes, the provision of one-way systems or limiting the use of certain areas.
4

5. Three.Identify safe desks
and safe working zones.
Using statutory country-by-country guidelines workspaces should be mapped
and identified to show safe/unsafe areas. These should be demarcated and
maintained to ensure consistency and clarity during use and for cleaning
procedures. Spaces used for ad-hoc team meetings (huddles/video
conferences) should be cleaned immediately upon completion.
5

6. Four.Reconfigure flexible working zones.
For the immediate future workstations will need to be limited to being used
by one person at a time to ensure cleanliness. This means previously flexible
areas - such as reception zones, break-out areas, hot-desking spaces and
canteen areas - can be reconfigured to provide additional workplaces or safe
team collaboration zones.
6

7. Five.Repurpose and upgrade
meetings and meeting zones.
Over the foreseeable future most meetings will occur via video-conferencing
on personal screens instead of face to face. Existing meeting rooms can
be repurposed either as additional working spaces, safe rooms or isolation
rooms. All ends of the spectrum should be investigated including acoustically
private personal booths and larger team areas for video collaborations.
7

8. Six.Designate an isolation room.
Prior to the availability of a vaccine for Covid-19 staff will still have the potential
to contract the virus and fall ill. In case someone were to show symptoms in
the workplace, an isolation room should be provided where a separate fresh
air supply would limit recirculation to other parts of the space. The space
should necessarily offer a degree of privacy as well as easy access to the
building exit.
8

9. Studio Buschow are experts in creating innovative, efficient and
safe working environments for local and global clients. Our team is
currently undertaking research and formulating strategies to help
clients and their teams get back to work safely.
This pamphlet is one in a series where we are sharing our current
thinking in workplace design in order to keep you and your teams
effectively working as well as safe.
Get in touch to discuss how we can help.
Studio Buschow Architects
ralph@studiobuschow.com
07951 603 974