University of York Professional Services Hub: A flexible post-pandemic workspace

Through the pandemic we have developed a “third space” concept which looks at redefining the student/academic/staff work spaces to create more efficient teaching and work space to provide a “more than the sum of its parts” third space. This provides an area and facilities to promote collaboration, development, research and interaction and encourage new ways of working.

This concept has been brought to the University of York in the Professional Services Hub to test the ideas and work with staff with a view to potentially roll out across the campus. The design incorporates a central collaboration ribbon with work desks on either side. To support the hot desk arrangement, there has been additional meeting, group, social and refreshment spaces included. We also incorporated sufficient storage and locker provision for personal belongings. We worked closely with a furniture supplier to include meeting pods and “Zoom booths” to facilitate staff having private space to work. The area is small but is a test bed of numerous facilities, with integrated IT provisions being developed with the University IT team.