Mark Jones trained as an architect before running his own architecture business. He then moved to an academic position at the University of New South Wales, where he teaches in the design school in the faculty of Arts, Architecture and Design. He is a design historian, which involves research around design history – Australian and Scandinavian.
His passion has always been architecture. As an academic, he can do research in his passion areas.
The significant change has been the work from the home phenomenon. Most people have been working from home because they have to and not by choice. Delivering education courses online has required a shift in priority skill sets. The principles of the design process are the same. Students find the raw materials in their homes to create prototypes which is taking priority over the finished product until students can return to the physical school environment.
The pandemic has piqued interest in the design aspects of our life. Everyone has had to be creative in the way we work and live how we set up a workspace at home. Nobody wants to see an unmade bed in the background of a meeting. The demand for creative courses is very strong—these range from cooking to making things.
For leaders, the change in interpersonal relationships has been the biggest change. Screen-based relationships are not the same as face to face. It has become important to “check in “with people. Well-being is now a topic discussed by everyone and taken seriously by leaders.
Leaders need an acute awareness of the members of their teams and the individual challenges each person has. There is an acknowledgment that there is a change in how we work. Flexible work practices are integrated into every work environment. Staff are now able to work interstate. Corridor conversations don’t happen in the same way. Fatigue is real because back-to-back meetings are more common all day and in one room.
People are now working differently and are practical and efficient in different ways. There are distractions in the office and at home, but they are different.
There is some camera hesitancy, and people are protective of their situation at home. At the same time, the working week melds into our time.
The development of office space has to change. Open workspaces was a thing but have been shown to be less productive. People will start to work in a company office for a few days a week. The open office will give way to more contained offices that are shared with colleagues rather than dedicated to one particular individual. The offices will have doors so that a defined space can minimise distractions and disruptions but also help with a healthier work environment.
Expensive office fit-outs will be less required.
Office buildings have always gone through the transition from office to an apartment and then back again. Companies also share spaces or rent out space to other businesses. There will be less reliance on flagship buildings for one company. Having a mix of offices and apartments in a city helps bring vibrancy to the city.
Any training in a creative field is useful across a range of areas. Always pursue a creative career. Creative jobs are becoming more important.