As the new year approaches and we are again looking to put another complicated year behind us, landlords and tenants are looking for ways to entice employees back into the workplace.

Open spaces, tall ceilings, large windows, and updated ventilation systems are among the top requests from workers looking to venture back into the office. “Ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems can reduce the airborne concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and the risk of transmission through the air,” according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers.

As an attempt to provide employees the flexibility of maintaining a remote-work lifestyle, some larger companies are opting to forgo the large central campuses for more satellite locations. Smaller locations sprinkled throughout decrease stressful travel time and allow employees to enjoy a more collaborative work environment while foregoing the often stressful hustle and bustle of a large corporate environment.

Collaboration is an essential part of any business, and offices will not be going away anytime soon. If anything, the past few years have taught us that employees can do the majority of their work virtually. The office space has become a hub for collaborations that are unable to be accomplished through a screen. There really is no substitute for being able to interact with co-workers or clients spontaneously. Ultimately, it’s up to the companies to provide a safe, welcoming environment.