When I think about the silver linings of the pandemic, workplace transformation rarely topped my list. Yet at PEPS, what began as a disruption evolved into an opportunity for us to fundamentally reimagine how our space could better serve our community.
Looking back at December 2019, our office was a testament to traditional workplace design: massive wooden desks lined the walls of what we now call the Gathering Space. While those desks were an upgrade from their predecessors, they dominated the room and limited our flexibility. The front entrance, anchored by our Operations Manager’s desk, was functional but uninviting — a stark contrast to today’s welcoming benches, coat trees, and open space.
A Fresh Start
January 2020 marked our first transformation. I remember the day we disassembled those wooden behemoths and embraced a more dynamic setup with stand-up desks. This change nearly doubled our capacity from six to eleven workstations, with five additional desks in the center office.
This new configuration introduced an element of spontaneity that I loved — staff could choose different spots each day, rather than be tethered to one desk location, fostering new interactions and collaborations. We removed file cabinets and desk storage, replacing them with personal lockers, symbolic of our shift toward a more fluid, collaborative environment.
And Then, Everything Changed
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic hit just a few months later. Suddenly, our bustling office became a quiet, empty shell. I found myself stopping by only to grab mail or complete essential tasks. We avoided being in the office at the same time as other employees, and before long, I was helping coordinate as desks, chairs, and monitors were relocated to people’s homes.
I watched our vibrant workspace become a makeshift storage area, with cables, cords, and random boxes scattered everywhere. For two years, I walked through a space that stood as a silent reminder of how dramatically our world had changed.
Reimagining the Space in 2022
The summer of 2022 presented an opportunity I couldn’t ignore. Rather than simply returning to our pre-pandemic setup, I asked myself: How could this space better serve our evolving needs?
Working with an interior designer, I led the effort to reimagine the area as a true Gathering Space. The transformation was intentional — we selected neutral, calming paint colors, carefully chose furniture, and installed air purifiers to address our new awareness of health and safety.
One of my fondest memories was the installation of our modular carpet, which became a community event in itself. Our staff came together to lay down the foundation of our new space, laughing and problem-solving together.
A Space for Connection and Growth
Today, when I walk into the Gathering Space, my heart swells with pride seeing it live up to its name. Every week, 8-12 PEPS Groups meet here, filling the room with the kind of energy I’d always hoped for. We have staff meetings, board meetings, community events, and lunches. It’s no longer just an office — it’s a hub for connection, where parent groups can gather, staff can collaborate or work independently, and our community can truly come together.
This transformation represents more than just a change in furniture or layout to me. It’s a story of adaptation, of recognizing that sometimes disruption can lead to innovation. Each element of the space holds memories of our journey. For our newcomers, I hope it stands as a testament to our organization’s resilience and commitment to fostering genuine community connections.
As we continue to adapt to our ever-changing world, this space reminds me that transformation, while sometimes challenging, can lead to something truly special. It’s not just about where we work anymore — it’s about how we gather, connect, and support one another in meaningful ways.
And I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve created together.
By Cari Morales, PEPS
Comments