Torus ready for return to offices

The pandemic-related need for social isolation forced companies to turn to remote work on the unprecedented scale, which proved to have been an effective remedy for the crisis time. The experts speak in unison, though, pointing to the emergence of numerous social and relational gaps while working only in the ‘online’ mode. There also appear difficulties in managing teams, and transferring knowledge among employees. Even though at present, looking ahead, the hybrid work is most talked up, it is the physical office, thanks to its irreplaceable functions, that will play a vital role in the system. The real estate development branch has also drawn respective conclusions, and is now implementing new solutions in the office buildings to cater to the needs of the post-pandemic world.

The pandemic caught everybody by surprise, injecting uncertainty in the way many industries and companies perform. It did call for the alteration of short-term plans in many instances, including the strategic goals as well. However, above all, it forced the business to carry out a solid situational analysis and draw up possible scenarios of the market development, which necessitates a search for new trends and solutions.

Over the last dozen-or-so months Torus have been conducting a thorough market analysis. The company set up a dedicated, expert team which, in cooperation with advisors and suppliers, have assessed close to 100 various building and technological concepts - including the ones already in use, and those more innovative, currently being verified in Poland and abroad. The team conducted a proper selection taking into account their real efficacy and reliability. The experts focused primarily on the solutions that can have tangible influence on the safety and comfort of the employee. Several technologies currently being talked up had already been in the Torus standard before the outbreak of the pandemic. Though, it did not stop the company from searching for innovation, and from introducing further solutions.  

At the same time Torus have carried out numerous surveys among tenants in order to analyse the approach to remote work, and to assess the concerns related to the return to offices. While answering the question ‘What do you miss the most while working from home?’, 73% ofrespondents brought up the contacts and relations with people/team in their respective replies. 56% of respondents highlighted the deficit within knowledge and information exchange, with 36% having difficulty while separating private and professional zones. 40% of respondents consider the lack of ergonomic working place a main issue that hinders the home-office working mode. Further concerns relate to the disrupted day rhythm (33%), and to the issues with maintaining concentration (26%). In turn, while answering the question ‘What affects the sense of safety in office?’, the answers were the following: 70% - efficient air condition and ventilation; 68% - health and clean air; 67% - sanitary regime.

Based on the thorough analysis of the building solutions, as well as the recognition of the tenants’ (respective employees’) concerns and expectations, Torus have been able to introduce several meaningful alterations in their office surface standard.

The Torus in-company R&D team, in cooperation with external experts, from Gdynia-based VBW Engineering among others, after months long worth of works, thoroughly redesigned the air handling unit systems, which make up a vital element of office buildings. A novel market solution emerged, which is already being implemented in the newly-constructed buildings (second phase of Officyna and Format), and which will constitute a new standard in future investments. The experts modified the structure frame of the air handling units, and used UV-C lamps (flow UV-C lamps use ultraviolet light, and are some of the most potent appliances that remove viruses, bacteria, and fungi from the ambient air, and destroy DNA or RNA of all microorganisms), thanks to which there is no more risk of any pathogens moving from the air that is blown out from the office space into the air that is blown in.

It is not the only novelty on the Torus part. For instance, across the currently under-construction second phase of Officyna and Format buildings, alongside future investments, the following features will make up the new standards:

Torus are also testing a collectomate (building parcel locker) - an appliance which guarantees swift and automated delivery, storage, and collection of parcels and documents.

The changes that are now being introduced into the standard will supplement the market-proven solutions in architecture, building, and technology, which will embrace, for instance, power supply security based on two independent power lines, UPS, and a high-power generator; pumping 50m3 of fresh air per person per hour into the office space (highest value on the Tricity market, significantly above the norms); application of very sensitive filters of ISO ePM2,5 70% / ISO ePM1 50% class (formerly labelled F7) clearing the incoming air from contaminants, or the 3-meter office height measured from floor to ceiling (it creates a large and comfortable working space, not just optically, which can store more air than most of the market-available offices). It should all ensure highest possible comfort and safety of work.

In response to the signals voiced by the tenants, Torus have also drawn up a catalogue of market-proven solutions, which the companies can already implement directly onto their office surfaces. Cyclical meetings with companies have also been resumed in order to exchange up-to-date know-how and experiences. It is of vital importance bearing in mind a gradual process of employees returning to their respective offices, which an increasing number of tenants are scheduled to do.

Torus have also set up a dedicated webpage (www.gotowi.torus.pl), where one can find all necessary information regarding the maintenance of safety in the office, including e.g. surveys conducted among office building employees, and the implemented procedures and solutions in the buildings. Moreover, there are additional information on the devices, technologies, and parameters, which constitute the offered, above-the-market office standard.

Over the last several months Torus representatives and experts eagerly shared their knowledge in the industry circles, during the Property Forum - Regiony conference, among other things, which was held in the online mode. They have also spoke up in the media commenting on the current market situation - together with experts from other branches they drew attention to vital work-related aspects, or to the team management within office space, while forecasting directions of the market development.