Sachithra Thilakarathne
Remote Work: Reshaping Physical Space in the Post-Pandemic Era
Work has always been a fundamental part of human life, continuously evolving through economic, cultural, societal, and technological shifts. In recent years, the rise of remote work, driven by technological advancements, has become a significant aspect of modern work practices. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 accelerated this transition, leading to the widespread adoption of working from home, a trend that continues today. While previous research on remote work has primarily focused on productivity and health or well-being, there is an increasing need to explore the physical characteristics of home workspaces and the environmental implications of this work model. My research focuses on the physical aspects of home workspaces in New Zealand, seeking to determine whether working from home for part of the week provides personal and environmental benefits. Since remote workspaces have not been extensively studied, this research aims to fill that gap by offering insights into how remote work environments can be optimized for both functionality and sustainability. Through examining the evolving role of home office spaces, my study aims to develop practical guidelines for enhancing the design and environmental impact of these spaces in the context of contemporary work practices.
Supervisors
Professor Brenda Vale & Dr Emina Petrovic
Qualifications
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INTERIOR DESIGN
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2020
HONOURS DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF DESIGN
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2013
Publications
Future of work: positioning home offices in the work landscape (Sachithra et al., 2023)
Environmental psychological considerations for people working in shared spaces; a study of co-working spaces: concerning Colombo, Sri Lanka (Thilakarathne & Hettiarachchi, 2022)