Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES AUGUST 2022 9 FEATURE ELECTRICAL SERVICES In the short term at least, offices will need to implement cleaning and booking regimes to enable social distancing and infection control. As the virus subsides and employers plan for lower occupancy with reduced accommodation, booking systems for hot-desking are likely to remain, which has implications for workstation connectivity, smart technology, and on-desk equipment, including the use of Bluetooth and RFID technologies to allow automated registration of personnel at the workstation. Technology Enabled Alongside the need for booking systems and track and trace functionality, the increased awareness of the natural environment and climate change are also likely to influence the increased implementation of smart buildings. Occupiers are looking for reduced overheads and accountability for carbon emissions, which, along with the Government’s net-zero agenda, means smart systems will be more widely adopted. We have also reached a period where digital natives who have grown up with digital devices and internet use are a key part of the workforce. For generation Z, there is an expectation that technology is part of every environment, and, as tech continues to advance, they will be quick to adopt and demand it. This means bringing together power, charging, and data, not just at the workstation, but also in breakout spaces and throughout the office building. Apple’s adoption of wireless charging technology has been a game-changer in terms of homogenising the tech required for wireless charging of any device. As this technology has become more robust, enabling charging of both phones and tablets, there is a more compelling case for integrating it within furniture, alongside USB charging and power sockets. With a move away from traditional desk layouts towards formal and informal collaborative and quiet working spaces, we are also likely to see powerbank functionality built into furniture for break-out areas and acoustic meeting/ isolation booths. In addition to the power, charging and connectivity that office workers need and expect at the workstation, the technological evolution of the office will also require a focus on enabling multi-location collaboration via online platforms. Whether teams are collaborating across locations or from both office and home environments, offices will need to be equipped with sufficient data capabilities and A/V equipment to facilitate real-time communication. This will include increasingly sophisticated document sharing platforms and collaboration software tools, along with A/V equipment. Consequently, compact units such as our Linear, which combines power, charging, data, and media, and the four- sided Inca, which combines power, charging, and data in a compact unit, will be the go-to solutions. Capitalising on Change Office environments have seen substantial change ever since the dawn of the internet and the genesis of the laptop, with connectivity and agile working altering howwe work. The pandemic and increasingly available complex technologies have created a perfect storm to escalate the pace of change and, where there is change, there is opportunity. The challenge for contractors is to understand the trends and offer the right combination of solutions to their customers. More information can be found at www.cmd-ltd.com