Because of the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, local architecture firms have had to readjust their business plans in order to adhere to the new protocols and standards. Architects and designers are deciphering some of the best ways to respond to the pandemic from a business perspective.

These local architecture firms are going to do whatever it takes to appease the needs of their clients, and we’re going to be looking at some of the ways that this will be remedied.

Wearing your PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

This much is self-evident, but if you are going to continue with your ordinary business proceedings, be sure to wear your personal protective equipment. Not only is it mandatory to do so, but it’s crucial to do it in order to save face for your local architecture firm.

It’s not just about protecting yourself, but the safety of your clients and other building occupants is of equal importance as well.

Handling Future Projects

Emergency architecture and the state of architecture consulting firms are topics that will start taking the front stage as the world continues to undergo changes. Using war-related displacement and camps as a frame of reference, back in the day, these kinds of themes will focus more on the near future on the eradication of diseases and natural incidents.

Sustainability will also play a pivotal role in consolidating its status as an imperative part of all approaches, and projects will become more self-sustainable.

On the other hand, as we look to establish very effective structures, we are transforming existing underused spaces for maximum optimization.

Adaptive reuse approaches are becoming essential in the emergency responses allowing for fast action. Considered one of the most effective forms of sustainability, this field will continue to improve furthermore, as the world economy is suffering.

Our Humble Abodes

As we continue to move forward in the various phases of this pandemic, local architecture consulting firms will focus again on our intimate spaces within our personal dwellings. As a matter of fact, new configurations and new plans are starting to emerge. The quality and comfort of our homes will become one of our top priorities.

While we are forced to stay confined in our homes, we are rethinking our requirements and needs, along with the reality of readjusting to a new normal: from green areas and gardens to exploitable rooftops, natural light, and ventilation, balconies, and terraces, minimal and wholesome indoor environments, transitional and filtered entrances, and much more to account for.

Becoming Abreast of the New Standards

While focusing on a variety of health-oriented approaches, new standards are going to be put into effect. Designs and materials are reconfigured in compliance with the current situation, generating new methods of living.

While the notions of modular design, pre-designed elements, flexible partitions, and lightweight structures will continue to expand, local architecture consulting firms will start planning new configurations with social distancing measures in mind.

Surfaces will be covered with materials that prevent the spread of diseases and the design will be repurposed towards eliminating risks of transmission of the virus, all in the name of safety.

Operating in Public Spaces

While a plethora of public spaces has always been the most engaging and heavily crowded, the pandemic has taught us that sharing can easily be achieved while following strict social distancing measures.

As these norms of personal space keep on evolving every day and become a part of our daily routines, public spaces are set to become more flexible in terms of physical engagement. Projects are already dispersing these workers in more, open spaces and they are generating alternative methods to get these hefty projects completed in a quick and timely manner.

Accounting for Density

For a long time, many urban designers and policymakers have been condoning densification as a sustainable process to expand the cities, rather than relying on devastating urban sprawls.

At the end of the day, nothing will overpower the effectiveness of sustainable measures. If work can be completed in a more efficient manner, why would you opt for something that is more arduous and labor-intensive?

It’s because you wouldn’t. You want to work on something in a practical manner and density is one of many ways to achieve this feat.

The State of the Economy

Opening the streets to people can also mean opening the realm for al of their businesses. While the economy is being hit hard by the upswing of the coronavirus pandemic, cities are mobilizing their creativity in order to mitigate further damages from occurring, while helping business owners bounce back stronger than ever.

According to an excerpt from archdaily.com: “The Lithuanian capital Vilnius has allowed gastro businesses to put their tables in public spaces, free of charge, in order to support bar and restaurant owners and guarantee that physical distancing and safety measures are respected. In the Czech Republic, HUA HUA Architects has imagined The Gastro Safe Zone program, aiming to awaken stagnant gastronomic businesses by regulating outside eating and ensuring the required social distancing measures.”

Social distancing measures will continue to be modulated in order to adhere to the growing concern that is the novel coronavirus.

The increase in cases will help in determining what needs to be done in order to facilitate the needs of the people who are the most at risk and others who need protection, regardless of if a pre-existing condition is present or not.

The Future of Firms Moving Forward

As we continue to navigate through these pressing times, many small and large businesses alike will come out on the other side of this with a heightened perspective of the world and the global economy that encompasses it.

God forbid another pandemic should come and ravage through our world and its people, hopefully, we will be better prepared for what’s to come, given that we have been thrown curveballs left and right since when this all commenced. Architecture firms will thrive as they did before the virus reared its ugly head, and they will continue to thrive afterward.

This article was originally published on Medium and has been republished here with the permission of the author, Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design.

cover image © unsplash