Contributors
SA PHYSICAL OFFICES ARE HERE TO STAY
By Sandton Central Management District ( SCMD )
Is the rise in work-from-home the death of the office as we know it ? Absolutely not !
This is according to Barry van Wyk , seasoned commercial property specialist and Sandton Central Management
District ( SCMD ) Marketing Committee chairperson . “ Humans are social creatures who become more creative when they are together . Over time , companies may downscale their office footprints somewhat , but they will most certainly retain their office as a meeting point where staff , suppliers and customers may congregate to create , motivate and influence one another ,” explains van Wyk .
Ridwaan Loonat , Property Analyst at Nedbank CIB , which has its head office in Sandton Central , concurs . “ Office space is here to stay in our opinion as it preserves company culture , helps to attract talent , supports mentorship and encourages collaboration .”
Loonat notes the office segment was the property sector facing the most pressure coming into Covid-19 but , in terms of rental collections during the lockdown and the months following , the sector has proven surprisingly defensive .
Some things will change , however . “ In a post-Covid-19 world , we expect to see organisations adopting a hybrid model , combining working from home with local and head offices . They will re-look office designs , ensuring physical distancing , and improving bathrooms , air conditioning and high-traffic touchpoints ,” Loonat points out .
Change is nothing new for offices . They have adapted throughout history , starting with their origins in ancient Rome . For centuries people have been waking up and commuting to work or retreating to quiet workrooms . Offices have been used by governments , trading companies and religious orders . It was not unusual for Medieval monks , for example , to work in quiet spaces with workstation comprising a desk , chair and storage shelves .
Sandton Central Management District
For several years already , technology has enabled many employees to effectively and efficiently work from home , commuting to their offices intermittently .
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I January 2021 69