Post Pandemic: The future of contemporary design
Commercial Design|August 2020
Design consultant Esra Lemmens on how “ the most unsettling and far-reaching” COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping work culture and how different industries work.
Esra Lemmen
Post Pandemic: The future of contemporary design

Home design will have to change in the future

In this uncertain environment of the coronavirus outbreak, the home has become humans’ last refuge, especially for those who are living under quarantine. The comfort of being at and working from home, wasting time instead of money, has led people away from their addiction to material things and into a realm of sharing, caring and making. It has challenged our concepts of wellness, personal space, sustainability, and productivity. This pandemic has pushed the companies to initiate working virtually. However, work-from-home is not a piece of cake; it may not be as comforting as it may seem. Companies will demand spaces to operate the whole mechanism from home. As a designer, you will have to carve out spaces for clients that are not just a selling point. Instead, the focus will be on a workspace with a live-work environment.

To make this happen, what you will need is a flexible environment, a shape-shifting home, and furniture that is multifunctional. Plus, you also have to consider fundamentals, such as privacy and comfort, lighting, proper ventilation, and a small outdoor space. To keep up with the changing dynamics, you will need a boost in technology. For instance, remote workers will need highspeed broadband. Stable, high-speed internet is a pre-requisite for work-from-home.

It is also essential to focus on things that you usually touch and even the use of space. Ergonomics will become important more than ever before. You may not want to splurge on an elegant sofa or furniture pieces that occupy wider spaces if you live in a small home. Moreover, designers will need to focus on household items and furniture, which can perform both form and function.

How urbanisation and density will develop

This story is from the August 2020 edition of Commercial Design.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2020 edition of Commercial Design.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COMMERCIAL DESIGNView All
WORKING TOGETHER
Commercial Design

WORKING TOGETHER

Professor Louise Valentine, Head of the Design School at Heriot-Watt University, on the importance of inclusive design in the workplace

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
WHERE CREATIVITY WORKS
Commercial Design

WHERE CREATIVITY WORKS

Alhad Gore of Beyond Design Architects & Consultants brings his architectural expertise to life in the new office for Atul Patel Architects, blending functionality with creative flair to craft a workspace that inspires innovation and collaboration

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
FACILITATE INTELLIGENCE
Commercial Design

FACILITATE INTELLIGENCE

How AI is redefining the future of facility management

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2024
DESIGNING A BETTER FUTURE
Commercial Design

DESIGNING A BETTER FUTURE

How inclusive office designs are shaping the modern workspace

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
ADDED VALUE
Commercial Design

ADDED VALUE

Is a good project manager the secret to success for a complex commercial design project?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2024
RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM
Commercial Design

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM

The Grand Jury Meet of the third edition of Commercial Design Awards, a cornerstone event in India’s commercial design landscape, unfolded amidst the awe-inspiring expanse of the Welspun Global Carpet Plant in Hyderabad.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
A VISION FOR 'TOTAL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEMS'
Commercial Design

A VISION FOR 'TOTAL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEMS'

Jitu Virwani, Chairman and Managing Director of Embassy Group, redefines India's commercial real estate landscape by pioneering integrated, future-ready, and sustainable business ecosystems.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2024
AWFIS TO DESIGN, MANAGE 165K SQ FT OFFICE SPACE FOR NSE IN MUMBAI
Commercial Design

AWFIS TO DESIGN, MANAGE 165K SQ FT OFFICE SPACE FOR NSE IN MUMBAI

Awfis Space Solutions Limited on Tuesday said it will design and manage 1.65 lakh square feet of office space in Mumbai for the National Stock Exchange.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
MACROTECH ACQUIRES 2.8 ACRES IN HINJEWADI
Commercial Design

MACROTECH ACQUIRES 2.8 ACRES IN HINJEWADI

Realty developer Lodha, listed as Macrotech Developers, has acquired a 2.8acre plot of land in Pune's Hinjewadi area from Paranjape Schemes.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
EMBASSY OFFICE PARKS REIT APPOINTS RITWIK BHATTACHARJEE AS INTERIM CEO
Commercial Design

EMBASSY OFFICE PARKS REIT APPOINTS RITWIK BHATTACHARJEE AS INTERIM CEO

Embassy Office Parks REIT on Thursday appointed Ritwik Bhattacharjee as its interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect, following Sebi’s order to suspend its CEO Arvind Maiya.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024