Archinect - Features

The Architecture Industry on Workplace Design and Returning to the Office

2020-07-02T10:25:00-04:00

As many prepare to transition back to the office, it would be safe to conclude that things will not “go back to normal.” With a long list of requirements for businesses looking to get back in-house, it can seem dreadful to coordinate one’s office space in compliance with the seemingly countless precautions. However, this recent time has introduced a new need for spatial experts, a role architects have filled for centuries. Today, we are seeing more firms embrace a role as a consultant in contrast to a more traditional designation as “designer.” Firms are stepping up to capitalize on workplace expertise, informing and guiding clients to fruitful re-opening strategies. Moreover, architects themselves have also been planning their return-to-office strategies, many of whom have communicated their thoughts with us, as we will share in this article.

In this piece, we’ll look at some insights from the industry concerning the return to work, reviewing the new research done by a handful of p...

Update for May 21st: Archinect’s COVID-19 Guide for Architects & Designers

2020-05-21T13:26:00-04:00

In the last two weeks we’ve seen many in the architecture and design community proposing solutions to some of the issues we are facing in this pandemic. Some looked at the present, while others to the future. IKEA and Perkins and Will both proposed their own versions of the at-home DIY fort for parents and kids to build together to provide some engagement while at home. We’ve also seen new solutions for office workstations post-pandemic and even virtual architectural backgrounds to add some fun to our Zoom meetings. A new episode of Archinect Sessions was also released in continuation of our conversations with the Archinect community.

This is a weekly updated article that will summarize the biggest and most important COVID-19-related articles and resources for our community of architectural professionals, designers, and academics. Think of it as a one-stop resource to stay up-to-date on the issues most important to our industry. Be sure to click "follow" at the top of this article t...

Working With Stressed Coworkers During COVID-19

2020-04-24T09:16:00-04:00

Amid COVID-19, the rise of remote work has forced many professionals to upheave their old way of life for an unfamiliar "new normal." While several have risen to the occasion, plenty still face trials navigating this new collaborative dynamic. Particularly when it comes to coworkers under immense pressure during this time, staff in many firms have begun to see a different side to their fellow team members. It can be easy to forget that our coworkers are people with a whole life outside of work. They have families, loved ones, hopes, dreams, and fears, just like we do.

So, how does one deal with stressed coworkers during COVID-19? It could be a leader who is a bit brash, or who has left you to fend for yourself, with little direction or clarity on how to move forward. Or it could be a coworker who seems to be sabotaging the work you and the rest of the team are working on. It can take many forms. The common denominator are coworkers who are out of character, over-emotional, or even, ...

Archinect's Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak

2020-03-17T16:55:00-04:00

These are crazy days we’re living in.

This COVID-19 pandemic is like nothing most of us have ever experienced. It’s affecting almost everyone in the world, without any bias toward nationality, race, religion or political affiliation. The crisis is forcing us to change the way we live, and the way we work. We don’t know how long this “new normal” will last, but the changes we make today will have lasting effects on us all.

Running a Virtual Architecture Practice With Jennifer Kretschmer

2020-03-17T13:23:00-04:00

With drastic measures underway to mitigate the novel COVID-19 pandemic, many architects are transitioning to remote work. Firms, both large and small, are making the shift towards a virtual practice, and for many, the move brings new terrain. Remote work has been a topic of discussion for quite some time, but there has always been a certain stigma in its relationship to architectural practice. Is this a feasible way for the design community to work?

As the industry continues to run this compelled experiment, we may soon find out. But, in the meantime, we know the integration of remote work is not novel to architecture. Just recently, Archinect connected with Diana Nicklaus, co-founder and principal at Saam Architecture, to discuss the firm’s remote work model and the fluidity with which it has been able to operate. And as we continue our investigation into the tools and tactics of the virtual office, this week we talk to Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA, founder of J Kretschmer Architect.

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In the Face of the Coronavirus, Workplace Wellness is Key

2020-03-13T09:10:00-04:00

By Janet Pogue McLaurin and Tama Duffy Day of Gensler
Originally published to Gensler's Dialogue Blog

As companies are faced with another global health crisis, they are shifting into emergency preparedness mode to protect their most important assets: their people. While much remains unknown about the new coronavirus, which causes the disease known as COVID-19, as we work to control the spread, analysts predict major implications for the global economy, supply chains, and businesses around the world.

Public officials advise the best line of defense is implementing health and safety precautions to prevent the spread of disease, particularly in the workplace, where people spend the majority of their workweek indoors. In an increasingly connected and mobile world, employers must also develop a clear and coordinated emergency response plan that protects their employees while maintaining effective levels of productivity.