TOPIC: Disaster Resiliency : Pandemic

DEMOGRAPHICS: Millennial Group

Millennial Spaces During the Pandemic (Morrison,https://blog.bimsmith.com/Designing-Spaces-

for-Millennials 10-15-2020

Communal Spaces

Communal floor plans, buildings that offer renters private rooms and shared public spaces, are slowly
gaining popularity. These communal properties resemble dormitories — renters have their own
bedroom and private space, but things like bathrooms and kitchens are shared space. In addition to
making it easier to afford to live on their own, this kind of space fosters the connection that millennials
are constantly seeking. 

Sustainability

Singapore is home to living and working spaces that prioritize sustainability and the environment.
These structures contain living walls, massive windows to utilize natural light, and other features that
help to cut down on energy use. They often also rely on solar energy instead of the local power grids.
Recycling options are also essential, but those aren't always something that designers and architects
have any control over. 

Creating homes from recycled, reclaimed, and sustainable materials rather than contributing to the 596
million tons of construction and demolition waste that the construction industry generates every year is
another positive selling point for millennial homebuyers and renters.

Public Transportation

While it isn't always possible for designers and architects to choose the location of a building,
proximity to public transportation as well as walkability is both crucial for millennial renters. A smart
approach to this particular need is to include exterior bike racks and secure storage where renters can
store their equipment when not in use. 

Safe Office Spaces

When it comes to office spaces, creating the perfect design for the discerning millennial is more
challenging than ever. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the approach to open floorplans and
common areas, adding the need to supplement them with offices and cubicles that offer privacy and
make social distancing easier. 

Even with masks and social distancing, open floorplans can become vectors for the virus. The risk is
even higher when considering often-insufficient ventilation in commercial buildings. The most recent
studies indicate that the coronavirus can spread further than six feet indoors, especially in spaces with
poor ventilation.

Smart Device Integration

Today, it doesn't take much to turn nearly any space into a smart one, but millennials aren't looking for
places they can transform. Both homes and offices should have access to smart devices as an integrated
part of the structure rather than an addition. That includes lighting, heat, security, and appliances,
among other things. If it has a smart option, consider adding it to the home, apartment, or office. 

Extra Amenities

For office spaces and apartment buildings, consider adding extra amenities to appeal to millennials.
Things like coffee bars and pet washing stations can help entice millennials to stay on a property.
Being able to walk downstairs to buy a snack is much more convenient than taking a trip to the nearest
gas station or bodega. Many millennials will opt for that convenience even if it costs them a little
more. 
The same rule applies to things like roof decks and fitness facilities. While the average tenant will
never be entirely self-sufficient in an apartment building, anything designers can do to make their home
base a little more convenient is a feather in their metaphorical cap

The millennial demographic seeking co-living has also expanded. If co-living spaces largely attracted
millennials looking to save money before the pandemic, they're now attracting those who have enough
money to uproot their lives. Many of the millennials Putzier spoke with previously lived in apartments
by themselves before turning to co-living spaces.

https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-co-living-spaces-evolved-during-the-pandemic-2021-
2Hillary Hoffower 
Feb 5, 2021, 3:26 AM

Hoffower, H. (2021, February 5). Millennial co-living spaces evolved during the pandemic. Business
Insider. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-co-living-spaces-evolved-during-
the-pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on behavioral health in the workplace. While workers of
all ages are struggling, recent research has found that younger workers (Gen Z and Millennials) are
affected by behavioral health issues at much higher rates than older generations.  
Research conducted by The Standard and Versta Research concluded that younger workers are
struggling more because the pandemic has compounded stressors that these generations were already
struggling with, including: 

 Less job security  

 Less housing stability  
 More debt  
 Lower wage earnings than previous generations.  

Allwork.Space spoke with Melissa Oliver-Janiak, senior director of Benefits and HR Service Center at
The Standard, to understand how the pandemic is impacting younger workers and how companies can
respond to this crisis.  
Allwork.Space: Several recent surveys, including the one conducted by The Standard
and Versta Research, have found that young workers are struggling the most with their mental
health. Why? 
Melissa Oliver-Janiak: The pandemic has been isolating for most people because we have been asked
to reduce our social circles and refrain from most public and social activities. Younger workers are less
likely to live in a family unit, and if you live alone or with a roommate, the pandemic may be even
more isolating.  
Younger workers are also, by definition, earlier in their careers. This traumatic event and the
accompanying uncertainty regarding when it will end and the longer-term societal and financial
impacts loom larger in their lives.  
Younger workers have also grown up in a world where there is already less stigma around mental
health concerns than there has been for prior generations, so perhaps they are more in tune with and
willing to voice their own concerns.  
Finally, our research found that younger workers – Millenials and Gen Z – are the least likely to be
aware of the mental health benefits and support available to them from their employers. So, while
potentially more aware of their own mental health needs, individuals in these groups may be less likely
to take advantage of programs or resources provided by their employer that can provide support to
them during this time. 
Allwork.Space: Is this a new phenomenon or do you believe young workers were already
struggling more than older workers prior to the pandemic? 
 
The Standard’s Behavioral Health Impact Update with Versta Research found that a significantly lower
percentage of young workers reported being mentally well, and reported higher use of alcohol and
drugs, both prior to the pandemic and during the pandemic, than Gen Xers and Boomers.  
In fact, the differences were already pretty stark, with 48% of Millennials surveyed in 2019 reporting
being mentally well, compared with 65% of Gen Xers and 81% of Boomers.  
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So, this is not a new trend.  

However, the pandemic has certainly widened this gap. In particular, our research found a decrease in
younger workers identifying as mentally healthy during the pandemic (that 48% slid to 40%), and a
corresponding increase in the percentage of younger workers reporting serious mental illness increased
from 10% to 16%. 
Allwork.Space: If they were struggling even before the pandemic and the pandemic has led to
more pronounced mental health issues, how is this affecting the work or careers of young
workers? 
Younger workers are generally more likely to report impacts on their work due to their mental health,
at double or even greater than the rates seen in Gen X and Boomers. 
Millenials and Gen Z report being less productive at their job, having to miss a day of work, taking
temporary leaves, and even having to quit or being fired from a job due to their mental health. It is not
hard to imagine the longer-term impacts of lowered productivity or having to step away from a role
altogether.  
Allwork.Space: Can you share some of the long-term consequences that companies and workers
might experience if mental health issues are not addressed? 
 
We are talking about the next generation of leaders in our workforce, so the potential consequences are
huge. We don’t want a future CEO or innovator to lose their footing and momentum because they did
not have the tools and resources to support their mental wellbeing.  
It is vital that we destigmatize mental health struggles and provide programs that will enable employees
of every generation to stay at work, bring their best, and continue striving. 
Allwork.Space: Both companies and young workers stand to benefit if these issues are addressed.
Are companies responding to this and if so, how?  
The pandemic really highlighted the need for companies to act in order to support employees: people
need time off to care for themselves or for a sick loved one, for children whose school buildings are
closed or for elderly parents who need support. 
People need financial help and education in ways they did not before due to the prolonged uncertainty.
And people need tools to cope with the stress and strain of this pandemic that we’ve all been
experiencing from the beginning.  
In response, we’ve seen a lot more flexibility coming from employers in terms of where and when
work gets completed for businesses in roles where that is possible, as well as added benefit programs
that offer solutions for each of these areas.  
With respect to mental health, the most important thing though, in my opinion, is for employers to
publicly acknowledge the mental health impact of the pandemic on everyone. That reduces the stigma
and opens the door for employees to express their needs. We, and many other employers, have
personalized the discussion more by bringing trusted leaders from within to deliver those messages of
acknowledgement and support. And this messaging will have to continue. 
The next key thing is to make sure you have robust mental health support available, ideally in more
than one place, and communicate that support so that employees know what those benefits are and how
to access them.  
For example, The Standard began last spring by reminding people of our telemedicine benefits which
we made free (including counseling) for a period of time. We later added to our traditional EAP,
another free enhanced mental health benefit available to all employees and most dependents.
Throughout this time The Standard, as our disability benefits carrier, connects employees who need
leave for mental health reasons with additional support to stay at work or return to work.  
Recognizing that not everyone needs or will take advantage of counseling, we also added wellness days
for employees – paid time off that can be taken without prior notice when an employee needs a break.
About 50% of our employees have taken advantage of this benefit since it launched in the fall. This
confirmed the need for this benefit, and it seems to be an effective way to help support mental wellness
even for those who do not feel compelled to seek professional help. 

Kritendeep Kaur Dalam

https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/covid-and-architecture/a2990-how-are-millennials-
adapting-the-shift-in-architecture-post-pandemic/

How are Millennials adapting the shift in architecture post-pandemic?

INQUIRER FEATURES

How millennials occupy, use space

By: Arch. John Ian Lee Fulgar - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:14 AM September 21, 2019

Fulgar, J. (2019, September 21). How millennials occupy, use space. Inquirer. Retrieved from
https://business.inquirer.net/279412/how-millennials-occupy-use-space#ixzz6pBt3uDXK

Millennials comprise the first generation of digital natives, or people who grew up in the digital age.

Their affinity for technology shapes the way they work and live. They also set new standards in various
industries with the use of social media platforms to express opinions and experiences wherever they go.
 ADVERTISEMENT

Like previous generations’ canons of utility and beauty, the millennials’ intricacies of instantaneousness
and virtual worlds have started to influence architecture and design as well. But how do millennials
occupy and use space differently? Let’s find out.

Working space

When it comes to working space, millennials prefer the more engaging activity-based environment as
opposed to the usual functional-based office plans. From the common one-table-per-employee setup, they
are inclined to prefer having multiple employees working on one table as often seen in co-working
settings, as this provides more avenue for social interaction and collaboration. Millennials desire the open
layout, which allows them to share one table (with charging stations to power devices) and easily
exchange information with their peers.

Personal space

Upcoming apartment communities are now focusing on the more diverse but commonly used amenities
rather than the appeal of larger cuts or unit sizes. Most millennials would be happy to exchange their 50-
sqm studio units for a community that may provide smaller bunks, but boasts of various activities held in
common areas like a rooftop deck or dining terrace. Another appealing design aspect for millennials is the
flexibility of doubling personal spaces into photographable work-at-home spaces.

Getaway space

Millennials tend to prefer contemporary dwelling spaces prepped with smart technologies and readily
available information network. Hotels are now developing rooms and lobbies equipped with smart
technologies and 24/7 connectivity. For hoteliers looking to build a loyal following among the millennial
generation, a well-thought-out, technology-oriented design concept is a must. A recent study showed that
while 82 percent of millennials prefer experiencing a new hotel each year, a significant 42 percent will 
return for a great design experience.
Millennials prefer the open layout as it allows them to easily exchange ideas.

Social space

More than 10 percent of luxurious, mid-scale and upscale properties have come up with communal rooms
with creative living spaces to address the millennials’ demand for gatherings and love of bizarre
discoveries. Many hotels are now gradually eliminating traditional lobbies in favor of unique and open
communal themes to promote a brand name. Millennials also prefer residential buildings with distinctive
communal features such as connecting benches, thematic surroundings, art walls, party lights, interactive
architectural elements and some peculiar view of the city.

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Shopping space

Since millennials depend largely on digital technology nowadays, the commercial developers must
reframe the traditional shopping malls with e-commerce integration and fulfillment services. Millennial
consumers shop for experiences and not just for products. The rising demand for health-and-wellness
sessions, cooking classes and makeup tutorials means that retailers and other entrepreneurs are starting to
realize the presence of millennials. Some shops even offer learning zones to attract the millennial
consumers and retailers. For example, a sporting-goods store with a fitness studio program allows young
consumers to try out the products.

Entertainment space
Responding to emerging technologies such as virtual reality and participative experiences will be key to
providing a successful entertainment experience. Restyling entertainment hubs like movie theaters, theme
parks and gaming parlors as interactive zones with virtual-reality content and immersive experiences
wherein millennials become part of the context is what fulfills an overall entertainment experience.

Millennials prefer residential buildings with distinctive communal features.

Dining experience

Food delivery services and quick-service restaurants are upscaling interior and technology applications to
meet millennials’ dining demands. Millennials assess online reviews using food-focused digital platforms
to choose a restaurant’s ambiance or for ordering. As a response, many restaurants and bars nowadays
consider witty placemaking with pick-up areas, waiting lounges and self-ordering smart devices to
enhance new dining spaces from farm-to-table courtyards, on-the-go counters, and “cook your own food”
themes.

While millennials are challenging lifestyle trends with behaviors influenced by digital adoption, they are
also upgrading the use of traditional spaces.

Hoteliers, developers and other building industry professionals must now look for creative ways to better
design spaces for the fastidious but technology dependent culture.

Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/279412/how-millennials-occupy-use-space#ixzz6pBt3uDXK
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