The COVID-19 pandemic has forced our society to accept a new normal, and these learned behaviors will cause a monumental shift in how we return to the workplace. A shift where every corporation must embrace a renewed sense of energy on creating environments that are safe, healthy, and inspiring to work in.

At NELSON, it’s our goal to provide a holistic approach of strategic changes employers can make today, tomorrow, and in the future, to make this transition back into the workplace as seamless as possible.

The effects of the global pandemic will reflect the flaws of our past but will also give us the opportunity to emerge stronger than before.

In today’s legal workplace, hierarchical organization of office space, crowned by the ultimate reward of the corner office for the highest ranking attorneys, reigns supreme. But as is true for any static institution that doesn’t keep up with the changing times, a revolution is taking place.

The events of 2020 have fundamentally changed the way consumers engage with environments. Hotel brands must embrace a new, innovative mindset to better prepare for the future. These reframed rituals could be minor, but we may also see brands experiment at a larger scale by allowing guests more visibility and control in their experience.

Many factors will shape the future of the office and the way we work, but at a minimum corporations must embrace a renewed sense of energy on creating environments that are safe, efficient, and most importantly, inspiring to work in. The future of the workplace is here and the renaissance of the office will allow us to emerge stronger than before.

At NELSON Worldwide, we know great workplace design not only enables and encourages communication, but helps leaders perform better. When we accomplish these two objectives in our design solutions, our clients gain a workplace that naturally boosts the opportunity for, and success of, the key to all great companies: great mentorship.

As the workplace evolves, the legal sector is no exception. This typically conservative industry has once again been forced to adapt quickly to maintain business continuity. The challenges developing around physical space, client service, and employee safety promise to reshape the legal workplace in both the near and long-term future. 

At NELSON Worldwide, we know a space has achieved success when it enables people across a diverse spectrum of biological, psychological, and cultural requirements to feel included, supported, and celebrated. The built environment must be a place that allows equal opportunity for people of all backgrounds to reach their potential and be successful at work.

Designers and architects are trained to believe that design has an impact on how people feel and behave, and the correctional environment is no exception. NELSON has recently updated our design standards to reflect the impact the environment has on Trauma Informed Care models of treatment within a correctional setting. Though the environment is only a small piece of the treatment-based approach, it is critical to the wellbeing of both offenders and staff.