As we re-enter workplaces across the nation, the question of how commercial spaces will look has been front and center. A New York Times piece shared that 80% of workplaces are moving to a hybrid model where employees work from home three days per week.
Commercial interior designers are seizing their moment, crafting safe, functional places that are suitable for the new, hybrid workplace.
One such design firm is Paragon Commercial Interiors. When the pandemic began, Paragon made the shift to remote work.
“Like many in our industry, the pandemic slowed or halted many of our projects. Instead of waiting idly for work to appear, we captured the time by learning and expanding our skills,” Dana Wilkinson, founder and CEO shared. “We were preparing ourselves to help clients return.”
No strangers to economic downturns, Dana and Darla started Paragon in the 1983. Laughing, they share how it wasn’t easy to start a business at the time, but they saw it through and are a stronger company for it. Their business started as just the two of them, but has grown to 15 employees.
“15 is the right number for us. We are a close-knit team, and we provide a high-level of service to our clients,” Darla Evans, company President, explained. “We have the expertise and experience to handle projects of any size, and our clients choose us, because we are attentive to them every step of the way.”
One such client is SSAB, who called upon Paragon when the world began opening back up. With 500 employees, their goal was separation between employees. Paragon helped them develop various ways to accomplish the task at hand. Adding glass stackers between workstations and enlarging work areas were just some of the ways to make sure all employees were safe.
In addition to modifying existing workplaces, Paragon is hard at work helping specific industries look to the future. Higher education has experienced tremendous change during the pandemic; however, there is still a need for functional, in-person spaces for student instruction. Paragon is partnering with local universities, colleges, community colleges, and technical schools to adjust classrooms so they can teach virtually and in-person. Those attending class in person also still need collaborative study spaces, and Paragon is working to design these for these types of institutions. They are also helping design studios for instructors to deliver 100% online content. Whether remote, in-person, or hybrid, it’s important to integrate technology into these spaces; Paragon looks at functionality first to understand who will use the space and how it should function before adding design elements. Ultimately, the goal for education spaces –or any space –is to be functional and enhance the experience for those within it.
The experience of working from home has elevated everyone’s viewpoint of what we need to be productive. Paragon has positioned themselves as a valuable partner as employers and individuals map out how to work and live in the future.
About Paragon: Since 1983, Paragon has lived up to its name by exemplifying a model of excellence both locally and internationally through comprehensive design services for a diverse range of clients.