Planning a return to the office is an exciting opportunity to not only think about how you’re going to bring employees back to a healthy and safe workplace, but also how you can bring them along on the journey to help imagine and realize their own future at work.
HGA’s workplace strategists have crafted a holistic, scalable journey that gets you where you want to go and when you need to get there. Depending on your organization and culture there are actually two different paths that you might want to consider. Both are adjustable yet interconnected.
Let’s start now!
Re-imagining what the office could be
We can’t predict the future, but we can help you shape a unique future that supports your business and inspires your people.
ENGAGE leaders and team to set the vision.
Although “Change by Mandate” is speedy and structured, using authority to change people’s habits and mindset is difficult. We combine “Change by Mandate” with “Change by Movement” to create a participatory design process that empowers employees to take charge and own the change. As a result, they create new and more sustainable ways of working and living in their physical space.
FRAME challenges with research & benchmarks.
Curiosity is the root of our creativity. Our workplace research efforts have allowed us to gather benchmark data on our projects, but this is only one part of the discovery process. True innovation comes from using research to help frame your unique challenge. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we use the insight that research provides to amplify your design solution.
CO-CREATE solutions to your greatest workspace opportunities.
We will explore your business goals and processes, your cultural norms, and more to imagine solutions that best support your vision. Through a human-centered design approach and a process based in Design Thinking we can explore the potential and prototype solutions together.
DESIGN & IMPLEMENT recommendations grounded in vision.
Some solutions may require adopting new policies or norms; others may require a new design in order to fulfill their potential. Whether it’s workplace strategy, renovation, or new construction, we will work with you to provide a thoughtful solution that translates your vision into a three-dimensional experience.
Re-mobilizing safely back to the office
ASSESS safety of existing facility and systems.
There’s a lot of information out there about making space safe; it can be hard to know what’s relevant for you. We will make recommendations based on your existing facility and systems, creating the safest possible environment for your employees.
RE-CONFIGURE your existing floor plan.
The floor plan can unlock flexible arrangements to support the evolution of your workplace. Design options can serve team needs, boost social connectivity, maximize real estate utilization, and promote equal access to resources while maintaining health and safety.
DEVELOP signage and graphics.
Support your brand, communicate safety, and create community with custom graphics and signage. We can find creative ways to highlight health and safety procedures while COVID-19 is still a concern while reinforcing your unique brand and building a sense of community.
UPDATE policies with current health guidelines.
Policies can shape behavior and help keep your people safe. We will work with you to review what exists and propose modifications, or develop something new based on the workplace assessment and local and national guidelines.
EMPOWER employees to take charge of and own the change.
People are more likely to champion change that they were a part of creating. This is why we believe so strongly in adopting an inclusive and empathetic lens to all of our work. We believe this diversity in perspective will elicit impactful insights and strong outcomes, providing holistic returns on your design solutions.
We are working with clients across the country to plan a manageable, timely, and thoughtful return to the office. There is no one-size-fits-all solution—we help every organization craft their own plan to fit their culture and unique situation. Tapping into our interdisciplinary design toolkit, we are able to listen, learn, and advise on a safe and purposeful return to office with a fresh perspective.