For example, air conditioning did not exist, so architects thought about how to use natural resources such as light, sun and wind, which, in addition to being free, provide offices with a fuller environment and employees feel more motivated to perform their tasks. 

I think it is a good time to look back and analyze all the good practices that have been left unused in the construction processes, specifically at the office level; for a long time there was a tendency to equate the word efficiency with quantity, so the development of workplaces had been focused on putting as many people in a space to improve efficiency, because more people equaled more production. 

Currently we are beginning to migrate to something that will go hand in hand with the issue of biosafety, which is the quality of the work space. If we were in an environment that would allow us to have our own spaces, areas to relax, contact with nature, cross ventilation and natural lighting, the efficiency and productivity of employees will be much higher because they will not be in uncomfortable environments, but in environments that will allow them to feel more motivated in their workplaces because there are a number of psychological and physiological issues that will help improve their performance.

Winston Churchill said:

"We shape our buildings, then they shape us."

The spaces that are currently being designed should be designed with the physiological and psychological quality of life of people in mind, because they should feel comfortable in their work spaces, they should have fresh air, be able to interact safely with their colleagues. 

I think there are several important challenges that companies could face when implementing architectural changes, such as adapting workspaces or creating new spaces, since, in some cases, walls will have to be destroyed to make windows, so it would be better to look for other offices that do have those features. 

If a company does not adapt, it will lose its most valuable resource, which is the human resource, people will always look for environments where they feel better and safe. If as entrepreneurs we do not take the matter seriously, we will die as a company, because others will come along that offer better conditions for the employees. 

In these times of pandemic it is important to take into account that the office space will continue to exist, because the vast majority of human beings are social beings and we need those social spaces to learn and grow as people. In the same case, work is a social relationship, there may be many technological tools but nothing will replace the contact and face-to-face relationship, which clearly has its differences at this time, there is a certain notion of space that will change in everything, for example the standards of distance in times of COVID will be counted, it will not return to the measures previously used. So at the end of the day the design in a space will have to be more creative, the solution is not to enclose in individual cubicles but to generate spaces where a normal number of people can be placed with comfortable separations where the person does not feel enclosed, and where there are concepts such as cross ventilation and lighting.

At the design level, this is very relevant because now, decisions are made in relation to this, for example, where a window is placed, how a building is oriented, what height we give to a certain space, visual relationships, etc. A situation like COVID for design and architecture is something very positive because it will make people appreciate space and the need to design for people. 

What do I recommend to companies so that they can adapt without so much economic impact?

1. Analyze the current situation in terms of physical space and the perception that employees have of their workspaces.
2. Hire an advisor/consultant who has experience in healthy office issues and understands the concept in relation to nature.

Finally, I would like to emphasize the importance of understanding that personal, emotional, business and economic development in all people goes hand in hand with socialization and collaboration with other people, since the human being is not a unique and separate element of the planet. That is why generating a healthy society depends on creating good interpersonal relationships.

Also, understanding that we are part of the planet and that we need other living beings, then the integration of the elements of nature: light, water, sun, wind, in our spaces makes us feel better, that is called biophilia and it is the line of thought that we have in our offices. Being integrated in nature, somehow makes us feel good and therefore we are better people, better friends, collaborators and family members.