Is Remote Working, 'Working'?

Last week, we curated an e-event hosted by Cosentino City, to discuss whether remote working actually works, the upsides and downsides of this lockdown situation from a design and contract perspective, plus the adoption of digital tools, and how they can help streamline processes and affect the bottom line. Here is how the discussion went…

With the sudden shift from physical office spaces to Working From Home (WFH), and the quick adoption of digital services, the A+D industry has had to scramble to adapt. While work continues, we wonder if this new normal actually ‘works’. Particularly since this industry is about the ‘built’ environment, which is incredibly tangible, and projects need to be seen and felt.

Clockwise from top left: Siddharth Peters, Co founder of Love That Design, Steve Kiernan, General Manager at Bond Interiors, Laila Al-Yousuf, Design Director at SAY Studio

There have, of late, been several talks and webinars on distance working, changes in the workplace in the near future, the effect on design, social distancing norms to be adapted, flexi work schedules, and more. However, there are a lot of ‘non sexy’ details to be considered too. Such as handling specifications, handovers, site checks, digital tool adoption and the sudden need for advanced IT strategies.

So… can digital tools that replace the physical studio create a truly satisfactory outcome? We spoke to Laila Al-Yousuf, Co-Founder and Design Director at SAY Studio, Steve Kiernan, General Manager at Bond Interiors, and Siddharth Peters, Digital Expert and Co-Founder, Love That Design, to find out more.