Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey recently informed employees that they will be allowed to work from home permanently, even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
The move may be a harbinger of a new corporate mindset resulting from the pandemic. It doesn’t bode well for the commercial office market, some observers say.
The new normal for office space could become virtual, with companies retaining just a scaled-down home base dedicated to important meetings with clients and recruits. Prior to the pandemic, leased or company-owned offices may have been iconic buildings that bolstered the brand and prominence in the areas they occupied.
After the pandemic, office space may be viewed as an expensive budget line item that could be trimmed with little impact on operations. Many businesses, even those requiring high data security such as financial services firms, have made necessary investments in virtual infrastructure during the virus lockdown. The result has been a true distributed workforce that in some cases has been more productive.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Dec 11, 2018
Strict seismic building codes credited with minimizing damage in Alaskan earthquake
Magnitude 7.0 temblor cracked roads and collapsed road ramps, but buildings held up well.
Codes and Standards | Dec 7, 2018
Florida tops ABC’s 2018 Merit Shop Scorecard rankings
Michigan rose fastest after passing prevailing wage law.
Codes and Standards | Dec 6, 2018
North American steel yields lower GHG emissions than Chinese steel
North American construction steel saves about half of GHG emissions on building project.
Codes and Standards | Dec 5, 2018
Canadian retailer builds net-zero stores
Other chains also boost green efforts with PVs, EV charging stations.
Codes and Standards | Dec 4, 2018
Action on building codes would spur low-carbon cities
Faster retrofit cycles, increased energy-efficiency requirements for existing buildings needed.
Codes and Standards | Nov 30, 2018
Best solution to prevent California wildfire disasters: Stop building in places likely to burn
Approach would be unpopular as people attracted to stunning wooded landscapes.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2018
USGBC and BRE form partnership
Two green standards groups will collaborate on standards, platforms, and research.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2018
Parking garages in N.Y. State will have to be inspected every three years
Professional engineer must assess conditions.
Codes and Standards | Nov 28, 2018
To build water-efficient cities, water managers and urban planners must coordinate better
Lack of time and resources, and practitioners not in habit of working together hamper efforts.
Codes and Standards | Nov 27, 2018
AAMA updates specification for roller assemblies in sliding doors, and lift and slide doors
Last update was in 2015.
