Although we could be seeing some indication that the pandemic will soon be behind us due to the emergence of the vaccine, the design of specific structures is likely to remain a constant reminder of the virus.
According to a recent DataBid Blog: How Did Construction Cope in 2020 and what is the 2021 Forecast; the scope of construction work in 2021 will remain to be seen, but any work will follow a set of new guidelines. All those changes in design have been introduced and will probably continue to be seen to help maintain physical distancing and hinder the spread of the disease. The pandemic will influence designs in office, hotel, and mixed-use construction most significantly because this is where people gather the most. Here are some of the changes that we will see:
Open-plan offices will become a thing of the past
According to an article in Architectural Digest, open-plan offices were becoming less and less common even before the pandemic. David Dewane, from the architecture firm Barker/Nestor in Chicago, has expressed hope that the virtual and remote work we have had to resort to will teach workplace leaders to develop a different type of office. He states that an office should enable employees to maintain a balance of isolated concentration and productive, meaningful collaboration with others. The same article says that not everyone wants to participate in a "big social playground." Therefore, if working remotely proves successful, the value of a shared workplace that has been emphasized for years may fundamentally change.
We can expect more automation
It has become a common prediction that most public places will introduce more automation to prevent the spread of the virus. This will lead to more speedy advancements in touch-free technology. This will include voice control such as voice-activated elevators, automatic doors, hands-free light switches or temperature controls and much more. Also, since we already have Siri on our iPhones that call whoever we want by telling her to, it's just a matter of time before we use our phones to arrange other things for us. The goal is that a person can navigate through a building without coming into contact with many surfaces.
Fulton East, a Chicago office building that was under construction at the time of the outbreak, already has some features meant to mitigate the contagion. It allows for maximum spatial distancing, air and surface sanitation, and has touch-free technology.
Self-service will be widespread
An article in Construction Dive says that many hotels have already switched from the traditional ways of serving food, even the typical self-serve buffets, to more safe methods. For example, Marriott's Moxy Hotels and other brands have started offering grab-and-go sealed food. This has also eliminated the need for designated food preparation areas and kitchens.
There will be a greater emphasis on health-related features
High-frequency common areas, like hotel lobbies, waiting rooms, and similar, will also have to undergo some changes. They will have to be designed to control better how close guests and visitors can sit. A significant dose of flexibility will also be necessary here.
Specific elements mainly used in medical facilities will find their way into other buildings. For example, top-notch ventilation systems will be necessary for all sorts of premises. These systems will eliminate possibly contaminated air from the required areas. There are several types of air containment and sanitization systems that hospitals use, such as the following:
- Negative-pressure air handlers
- High-performance ventilation
- Antimicrobial, antibacterial, and/or UV light sanitization
- Outdoor air exchanges
All of the above are likely to become the norm in hospitality, office and other buildings.
As for the surfaces, the amount of them is likely to be lower. This means that there will be fewer high-touch surfaces where germs can sit. These surfaces will also receive antimicrobial finishes. antibacterial materials such as copper, will become more common.
Finally, carpeted rooms in hotels, offices and other buildings will have to receive solid flooring. It will look cleaner and it will be easier to clean. Also, shower curtains will have to go and be replaced with glass doors. All of these changes will benefit the guests and visitors' health and well-being.
Storage facilities will also go through some changes
Golan's Moving & Storage states there will also have to be some changes in the way storage facilities function as well. Storage providers have also taken steps to enable a contact-free way of doing business. They have introduced technologies that allow them to adapt to the newly-developed situation and new customer requirements. So, instead of using access-control keypads, you can use your phone to open the storage facility gate or even your unit.
The design will consider physical and mental health more
An article in Forbes mentions that the influence of mental and physical health on interior design will increase dramatically. It means that designers will have to consider visitors, employees, guests or occupants' psychological well-being when creating their designs and use lighting, materials, colors, and acoustics accordingly.
Construction Dive reported that specific elements and design have the power to protect people's health by enabling physical distancing. Different materials have shown to have some beneficial properties. For example, copper has antibacterial qualities and some have predicted that there may be a shortage of this resource in the future due to its more widespread use.
New designs will have to consider potential future viruses
DataBid Blog: 4 Ways to Adapt to the New Normal in Construction reports that practicing social distancing is a necessary preventive measure that we all hope is only temporary. However, it is smart to continue to design spaces so that they enable people to move away from each other if necessary. Moreover, the building process itself will have to continue to adapt to the new normal in construction. In this respect, this pandemic will influence designs in office, hotel, and mixed-use construction even when it is over. It is critical to think about the future and be ready for whatever it may hold in store.
Editor's note: This is, indeed, a confusing time for the construction industry. DataBid is working tirelessly to report and distill the news that can help you and your company make the right decisions and keep you up to date on the constant changes as they are made. We hope our coverage brings some clarity amid all the confusion.
