What are the 2022 Trends in Commercial Interior Construction as the Pandemic Continues?

As we begin a new year, it’s a good time to reflect on trends we have observed with our projects in particular as well as the interior construction field in general, and what is new in 2022.

The continuing coronavirus pandemic has certainly affected approaches to building design, from temporary stopgaps to permanent fixtures.  At the same time, some of these evolutions were already taking place, with COVID-19 merely accelerating their implementation.  Here are a few significant trends worth noting in 2022:

Closing open spaces

The open office model had already been receiving some pushback due to privacy and efficiency concerns, but the pandemic has added employee health and safety into the mix.

• Restaurants, stores, and other businesses with customers had to quickly deploy “six feet apart” signage, plexiglass sneeze guards, and other distancing measures to help keep customers and staff safe.
• During temperate weather, outdoor dining, classroom, and work spaces also helped facilitate in-person education and business.
• As it became clear that distancing protocols would need to be in place indefinitely, workplaces with traditional offices and cubicles were better prepared for employees’ return to the office. Companies that had previously adopted more open space in their floor plans are considering how they can reconfigure their offices to optimize coworker efficiency and safety.

Blended/multipurpose spaces

While some members of the workplace have had the option of working remotely for years, the option became a necessity for many during the pandemic.  Going forward, some employers plan to stay fully remote, others have already brought everyone back to the office, and many are choosing a hybrid approach.

For partially remote employees, businesses are exploring and investing in something of a hybrid approach to office layouts: not a completely open floor plan, but not entirely individual offices and conference rooms either. Some offices have wheeled office equipment and partitions that can be moved easily and mixed and matched as needed.

Touchless upgrades

Commercial spaces that haven’t needed to completely renovate their layouts or fixtures are making smaller modifications to help reduce physical touching of communal areas and hinder the spread of germs.  Shared kitchens, break areas, and bathrooms have seen improvements on this front.  Modifications can range from simple foot-operated door handles to major bathroom overhauls.

The trends of closing open spaces, creating multipurpose spaces, and adoption of touchless technologies are likely to continue through this year and beyond, which makes now a perfect time to implement them in your workplace.

Work with Clay Construction

Ready to renovate or expand your office or other commercial space? As a premier commercial construction company, Clay Construction is proud to provide interior and exterior services in the Metro DC Area. We have an impeccable track record, an impressive portfolio, and an experienced team that is ready to tackle your next big project. Our results speak for themselves, and we’re proud of the work we continue to produce for our clients.

Do you want to discuss your project with a member of our team? Contact us today!