WFH—is your home working for you?
These past 10 months have turned the world on its head in many ways—working from home is but one of them.
What a major change WFH has made across society, from Urban Centres, empty office space, changes to public transport and many more. But one thing is certain, HOME has become the focus of peoples lives on a daily basis. Not since before The Industrial Revolution have people lived their lives so centered in their home.
So while you and your families are working from home, and probably considering making this a permanent feature of your life going forward, do a quick check to ensure your home is working for you.
Healthy air and water
Before Covid-19, there was already a growing awareness of the importance of healthy air, but today this has really become a priority as we spend more and more time at home. Fresh air and regular air changes within the home, office or classroom are being highlighted in the fight against Covid 19, so open up the windows and air out the house just as your Grandmother would have done.
NZEB has edged many homes towards Heat Recovery Ventilation systems, and air tight houses—the opposite to the draughty homes of our forefathers. However, these systems are contraindicated to opening windows and airing the house. These systems need to be maintained regularly and thoroughly cleaned, with filters replaced on an ongoing basis. Thankfully in Ireland most people have reliable and safe drinking water flowing freely from their taps. We should value this and use it for the copious hand washing needed these days.
One wonders however, whether a mass vaccine programme will increase the amount of Covid-19 found in wastewater treatment plants?
A Dedicated Office Zone.
WFH has many benefits from reduced commute, financial savings, time saved, less meetings, increased productivity etc. whilst also presenting us with many challenges. Working at the kitchen table, in a small house, while the kids are doing their homework is no cakewalk.
We see people looking for furniture and accessories that allow us to work and play in the same space. Using some of the modular furniture and sound absorbing privacy screens which had been designed to divide up open plan office spaces, can be used successfully when creating an office zone with an open plan room at home.
Many solutions have emerged, from the luxury of a bespoke office space dropped into the back garden, attic conversion, box bedrooms, large landings, underused dining rooms transformed into garden sheds… Many spaces have been creatively re-purposed to become an office – somewhere to work in reasonable privacy for the Zoom calls, but very importantly, a place you can leave at the end of the working day, just as you would have left the office in the past.
Look around, see if you can create a dedicated office space within your home.
Long term investment.
Most new homes and apartments of the future will include a home office space as standard. Houses are currently being improved and extensions being specifically undertaken in response to the “new normal” of WFH. We see that people will continue to WFH in numbers never previously envisaged, so putting the facilities in place in your home now, is a good long term investment—in yourself, your family and your property.
Contact us if you want a Súil Nua on your WFH challenge.