By 2024, the rising popularity of coworking spaces will inspire 42,000 offices around the globe designed to support shared working. But, how can we make sure coworking spaces beat home working for your health, mind, and productivity?
Keep reading as we explore the often-forgotten importance of air quality in coworking spaces, along with the top trends to watch for in the next few years.
Why Is A Coworking Space Better For Your Business And Employees?
Coworking spaces are a truly convenient innovation. During the pandemic, many businesses explored the idyllic possibilities of remote working, but ultimately couldn’t deny the benefits of working in an office for collaboration and a sense of community.
Since office space is expensive, many companies have cleverly switched to a hybrid work model that reduces the amount of office space needed – as not all employees will visit the office each day!
With a decreased need for office space, many businesses decided to split up their usual office and share it with other companies striving for the same hybrid working goal. Using hotdesking and conference room reservation software, they could make it cohesive and convenient for both companies.
The coworking space offers the freedom of hybrid working, while beneficially allowing employees to work face-to-face for a level of collaboration that simply can’t be reached outside of the office.
Air Quality: Is It Really So Important?
When planning your coworking space design and interiors, you may consider all of the health and safety elements such as noise level, fire exits, and tripping hazards. But, did you think about air quality?
You need to meet minimum air quality standards to comply with industry regulations, and you must invest in carbon monoxide detectors by law. But, going beyond the essential can really benefit your employees’ health. Here are some of the advantages of generously providing cleaner air in an office:
- A clearer mind: Oxygen-rich air promotes mental clarity and can relievingly prevent workers from becoming fatigued and getting the ever-dreadful ‘brain fog’ that can make it difficult to focus on the task at hand.
- Improved quality of life: When your employees breathe in unpalatable airborne contaminants at work, they may experience unpleasant odours. By creating clean air at work, and kindly getting rid of the smell, you’re creating a better quality of life for your employees.
- Reduced allergies: Reducing the number of pollutants in the air often means reducing the number of allergens in the air. From dust to pollen, there are plenty of things wafting around that could annoyingly result in runny noses, red eyes, and sneezing. By reducing the amount of allergens in the air, you’re doing your due diligence and ensuring all of your employees are comfortable at work – even during nasty allergy season.
- Reduced sickness: When employees breathe in dust and pollutants every day, this can devastatingly affect their respiratory and immune health over time, leaving them more vulnerable to pesky bugs like the common cold. Better air quality means fewer sick days!
The Future Of Air Quality In Coworking Spaces
Now that we know how air quality affects the average worker from day to day, let’s explore how business leaders are making the air crystal-clear and oxygen-rich in the office!
Vape Detection Solutions
Vaping is banned indoors – mostly because it’s rude to subject others to your vape smoke. However, even with these bans in place, many employees still vape secretly or in the bathroom. To prevent vape smoke from affecting your employees’ lung health, you should consider installing innovative commercial vape detection solutions that nip this nasty habit in the bud.
More Plants
Plants are amazing for increasing the amount of oxygen in a room. And, they can make your office feel more cosy and personalised. Rigid, cold business interior design is a thing of the past, and we welcome natural elements in office design for the greater good of employees’ lungs.
Filtering HVAC Systems
Many companies are now investing in HVAC systems with built-in filters to ensure that dust, allergens, and pollutants are completely removed from the air. This can create an infinitely more pleasant working environment with clean and fresh air at all times.
Summary
Coworking spaces are quickly becoming the norm for modern business, and they allow workers to pick and choose where they work based on their comfort levels. However, to encourage employees to make good use of your coworking space, it’s a good idea to invest in some innovative air-quality-enhancing technologies for the future.
Photo credits: Coworking London