BUSINESS
The future of post-Covid office spaces Words by Rachel Zammit Cutajar
The roll out of vaccinations this summer promises the return to some sort of normality, with people returning to the workplace slowly. But after more than a year of social distancing, how have workers’ requirements changed? Will people be returning to the office in the way they did in 2019? Michael Lansky Pedersen and Kris Jes Petersen have always strived to push the frontiers of office design, and are breaking boundaries with the revamped SOHO Office in St Julian’s. The way we work is changing. Employees are becoming more comfortable with flexible work and social distancing, and although these may be here to stay, it does not spell the death of the office. A mass exodus of companies from the property market would result in a severe recession, and the presumption that working from home is “the new normal” disregards the challenges faced by employees over the last 18 months. Those challenges include alienation and a lack of community, particularly in the case of families with young children, and the distractions arising from multiple people living in one household. “It’s not that office spaces will no longer be required, but demands have changed substantially. Employee safety is of primary concern,” Kris explains, “however a return to the office in some form is inevitable.” One thing that working remotely has not been able to recreate is the sense of community at the workplace. Though plenty of large companies have made every effort to organise fun events online, there is nothing that can replace the feeling of hanging out face-to-face. The SOHO Office concept has been the same since its inception in 2013. “When you rent a space at SOHO, you’re not just acquiring a place to plug in your laptop, you’re tapping into the strong network that is iGaming in Malta. It’s all about making connections with likeminded individuals, sharing ideas and collaborating with others to find business solutions that really work, alongside a lifestyle that allows you to thrive. You’re
Paresa
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just as likely to find a gym buddy as you are to make a business deal, and this is something that remote working will never be able to achieve,” Michael said. Talking about the brand-new renovations of their St Julian’s office, launched earlier in April, Michael talks excitedly about the new padel court installed on the roof. “Along with the amenities you’ve come to expect from SOHO - gym memberships, yoga classes, Friday drinks, freshly-cooked meals - we’ve added a padel court on the roof. People are playing this game, which is a cross between squash and tennis, all over Europe, and it’s already been a huge success. I find myself gravitating towards the court whenever time allows. It’s heaps of fun.” Rather than shy away from the technology that is keeping people at home – and out of the office – Kris and Michael are embracing it with cutting edge equipment to facilitate online meetings and content creation. “Meeting rooms have less light as well as super cool backdrops, ultramodern cameras and acoustic panelling for sound optimisation for YouTube and podcasts. This is the place to go if you’re looking for optimal quality when creating your content.” The offices have the SOHO signature homey feel about them. Plush sofas, soft lighting and lots of plants make you feel like this is the place you come to hang out, not only to work, and let’s face it, who wants to feel
