Archinect - Features

The Pandemic Exposed Deep Flaws in the Architecture Profession — But Also Inspired Remedies

2022-08-25T11:26:00-04:00

Two and a half years after the initial outbreak of COVID-19, the U.S. architectural profession has emerged from the global pandemic in a stronger condition than many could have expected during the depths of 2020. However, many questions remain unanswered on how the pandemic impacted the architectural job market, firm operations, and the design process; questions which deserve scrutiny in the interests of avoiding future economic pain, and building a more resilient profession. In search of answers, we speak to three firms in differing parts of the U.S. to hear their reflections on how the profession fared during the pandemic, and where it goes next. To understand how these unique experiences fit within a national picture, we also speak with AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, who reflects on a deeper supply-demand issue across the profession.

Archinect Survey Results: Did the Architecture Community Return to the Office this Summer?

2021-09-29T12:40:00-04:00

As we enter the 19th month of this COVID-19 pandemic, it seems that the only certainty we have gained so far is that nothing is certain. Earlier this year, as vaccine protection became increasingly available for the United States, we asked the architecture and design community about their return to office plans, and the survey results published in March reflected notions of transition, flexibility, and a justified hope for a return to normalcy.

To follow up on these initial responses, we reached out to our readers again to see how the expansion of the vaccine program and the emergence of the Delta variant virus in recent months have shaped the working conditions for millions of architecture and design professionals.

The Venice Biennale Pressed Pause, While Everyone Else Changed the Game

2021-06-29T08:42:00-04:00

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we live, work, and interact has transformed. The architecture world has been forced to adapt in tandem, with our means of design, communication, and education all undergoing rapid changes. Though set against a tragic backdrop, this forced evolution of the industry has opened new avenues for the future of work and education which were either unproven or unconsidered before the pandemic. However, while the rest of the industry evolved, the 2020 Venice Biennale chose to delay its opening date in order to proceed with its traditional format. This opinion piece reflects on how the Biennale may have missed a once-in-a-generation opportunity to radically reform how it promotes contemporary architectural trends, and in doing so, address long-held concerns over its relevance, accessibility, and environmental impact.

Schools Turn to Design Professionals as the Pandemic Mandates Collaboration With Long-Term Impacts

2021-05-21T08:23:00-04:00

As many Americans adjust to life at home, exploring backyard yoga classes and telecommuting to work while their children flitter through the background disrupting Zoom meetings, the schools responsible for those children are likewise adapting to the constraints and demands of in-person instruction. In the midst of a pandemic that has fundamentally altered the physical spaces for learning a generation of students is coming to view as a “new normal,” the architecture of education echoes many changes the rest of society has undertaken since the crisis began last March.

Smog City: The Fight Against Urban Air Pollution

2021-05-13T12:00:00-04:00

Around the world, cities and citizens continue to suffer from the effects of air pollution. While the COVID-19 pandemic ironically led to a temporary improvement in urban air quality, the status quo for the air we breathe in cities is bleak. In this article, we examine the prevalence, causes, and effects of air pollution in urban environments. In a concluding note of optimism, we also highlight examples of architects using their skills to enhance air quality in cities and improve the health of both humans and nature.

People Over Cars: What does it mean to pedestrianize a quarter of NYC streets?

2021-03-23T10:34:00-04:00

Over the past year, since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, urban life has been transformed. This seems especially true in New York where the pressure of the lockdown was released in a burst with last summer’s uprising against racialized police violence in May and June. With people anxious to spend more time outside, the city launched a series of programs including Open Restaurants and Open Streets. Intending to buoy the struggling foodservice industry and alleviate crowding in New York’s congested public spaces, with the stroke of the Mayor’s pen, restaurants could construct semi-enclosed structures—little cabanas—atop once-precious street parking, and city officials deployed temporary wooden barriers—essentially saw horses—at intersections to create new pedestrianized corridors. Overnight, New Yorkers could dine out in sheltered sidewalk cafes and stroll car-free lanes.

The Architecture Community on Return-to-Office Plans in 2021

2021-03-02T13:28:00-05:00

A few weeks ago, Archinect reached out to the architecture community to investigate the return-to-office plans since the large migration to remote work. We asked readers to contribute to a brief survey to help us better understand the current climate in regards to potential reentry to the office.

Mork-Ulnes Architects on Balancing Californian and Norwegian Design Spirits

2020-12-03T13:12:00-05:00

For this week's Studio Snapshot, Archinect spoke with Casper Mork-Ulnes, Founder and Principal of San Francisco and Oslo-based firm Mork-Ulnes Architects.

We talked about his approach of managing offices on two continents as a nimble 10-person practice, touched on strategies of combining two design mentalities — Scandinavian practicality and Californian optimism — as a unique asset, and learned how lessons from Norwegian work culture could contribute to increased productivity among the entire team.

From the Editors: What We're Thankful For in 2020

2020-11-26T16:21:00-05:00

2020 has been an extraordinarily challenging year. Covid-19 forced us to isolate from family, friends and colleagues, and work from home as the industry struggled to keep up with the changes the pandemic brought. Many firms experienced drastic reductions in work, as industries such as hospitality and retail faced incredible hardship and an uncertain future. As a result, many individuals in our industry faced layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts. Political tensions, cultural divisions and a heightened push for social justice further defined this historic year. During this hardship, however, there remains much to be thankful for. We'd like to take this opportunity, as Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, to share a few those things that our team is grateful for in 2020.

Are the Doors Closing on the Open Office?

2020-11-17T18:59:00-05:00

As workers return to their offices after the regional lockdowns implemented to stop the spread of Coronavirus, there is a new reckoning in the workplace: Will the open office survive?

Op-Ed: The Future of Zoning in New York City

2020-10-02T09:08:00-04:00

It is evident that architecture and design, like most industries, is in a state of flux. From how offices are conceptualized to the way our cities are built, the global COVID-19 health crisis and the current social justice movement will bring about immense change in New York City. With over 40 years of zoning experience, I foresee the following changes in the coming years: outer borough multi-use development; increased height allowances in low- and mid-scale development; preserving historic buildings instead of entire neighborhoods to make way for more development; and the ULURP process becoming increasingly difficult.

Woodbury Graduate Jesus Montes-Herrera Uses Interactive Layering and AI to Create a Tower Responsive to a Pandemic

2020-09-25T13:41:00-04:00

B.Arch graduate Jesus Montes-Herrera of Woodbury University explored the possibilities of designing a tower resilient enough to withstand a global pandemic at a structural and performative level. In his thesis, The Xenophilactic Tower, Herrera explains the structure "introduces the topic of interactive layering as a protective skin. Concentrating on the manipulation of a variety of scientific experiments as the technical processes for form-finding." The result, Herrera tells Archinect, is that "in the event of a worldwide pandemic the tower may become the genesis of civilization. The intent is "to find the relationship between Hypertrophy and entropic spaces" using techniques such 3D printing, layering, and casting.

Despite a turbulent year with many challenges facing students across the globe, Archinect connected with the recent grad to learn about his thesis project, job prospects, the misconceptions he had about the industry as it faced a global pandemic.

Archinect's Spotlight on...

Curtis & Ginsberg on Growing a Firm During a Pandemic

2020-09-15T12:18:00-04:00

New York City-based Curtis + Ginsberg Architects have a long track record of delivering a wide range of project types for public and private sector clients, particularly within the realm of affordable housing design. Founded in 1990 by Darby Curtis, AIA, and Mark Ginsberg, FAIA, the 42-person firm has worked methodically to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic by instituting sweeping work-from-home policies for the office while also adapting its physical spaces for socially distant use.

For the latest Studio Snapshot, Archinect caught up with Curtis and Ginsberg to learn more about how the firm has fared over the last six months, how it is approaching attracting new projects, and what lies ahead for the practice.

A Conversation with Trey Trahan, FAIA, Architecture’s Business-centric Polymath

2020-08-31T13:54:00-04:00

Archinect first connected with Trey Trahan back in 2008 for an enlightening interview about architecture, design, and the origins of his practice, Trahan Architects. Perhaps one of the most intriguing things about Trey are his inherent polymathic qualities. He is a true modern renaissance man. While the design leader has reached undoubted success in the architecture industry, he has also developed a deep and profound relationship with art, drawing inspiration from his personal collection in many areas of his business and architectural work.

Business is a craft for Trey, something to be mastered and thoughtfully practiced. There is a holistic approach to life, with service to people and the community as the focus, and architecture, business, leadership, and art as vehicles to facilitate that service. Here 12 years after our first meeting, we connect with the architect again, for a discussion about leadership, creative philosophy, art, the recent pandemic, and architecture’s more pro...

University of Illinois Graduates Aparna Pillai and Ramya Pattanur Vasudevan Propose Integrated Hospital Design for Pandemic Response

2020-08-03T13:00:00-04:00

Planning for better and more integrated healthcare design has become an important topic of discussion recently. Since COVID-19 hit, perspectives and design approaches for how to improve architectural responses to disease and illness have become paramount. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign M.Arch students Aparna Pillai and Ramya Pattanur Vasudevan explore how hospital design can help prepare and react to current and future epidemics and pandemics. Their thesis project, One Health Community Hospital, focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare design while focusing on human, animal, and environmental domains.

Archinect connected with the duo as they share their experience working through the pandemic while focusing on a project that aims to engage with pandemic design approaches. The designers explain, "There are recurring patterns in the way epidemics, and pandemics hit us and how we react to them. Our response to such outbreaks has always been reactionary in ...

How will Senior Living Facilities Change After COVID-19?

2020-07-23T09:00:00-04:00

Senior living facilities and nursing homes have become a critical vector during the COVID-19 pandemic and have contributed to a large number of deaths from the disease, both within the United States and around the world.

This typology, along with shopping malls, offices, schools, airports, restaurants and others, are among the many types of everyday buildings that will need to be reconsidered from a design perspective in the aftermath of the pandemic.

To discuss potential coming changes for the senior and assisted living building types, Archinect connected with Michael Liu, Vice President and Principal, and Anthony Vivirito, Senior Project Manager, at Boston-based The Architectural Team (TAT) to discuss the potential futures of these facilities. The pair discuss designing new approaches for shared living and family visitation spaces, as well as adaptations being made to existing buildings, and new horizons for senior living buildings in a variety of arenas.

2020 Architecture Graduates Share Their Thoughts on the Current Job Market

2020-07-21T08:53:00-04:00

There's no denying the events that have taken place in 2020 have shaken the globe socially and economically. From a pandemic to social unrest, not to mention unruly government leadership, it's easy to turn on the fate of the architecture industry. With several architecture students who have recently experienced their first "virtual commencements," they now enter somewhat uncharted territory as they embark on their careers.

In a continued effort to provide a voice for students and emerging professionals, Archinect connected with recently graduated students from six schools to learn about their concerns and perspectives as they begin to navigate professional practice and explore the job market.

"Screen Time Has Gone up 1,000%," Charlap Hyman & Herrero Reflect on Their New Workflow

2020-07-16T13:00:00-04:00

Charlap Hyman & Herrero is a Los Angeles and New York City-based practice with an eclectic portfolio of visually stimulating and tightly composed projects that blend architecture, furniture design, and art in order to fill gallery spaces, performance stages, and remote sites with a maximalist flare.

The team, previously highlighted in a Studio Snapshot article back in 2018, is led by architect Andre Herrero and interior designer Adam Charlap Hyman and is now working on a series of ground-up residential projects in various locales, among other projects.

We caught up with Andre Herrero for our latest Studio Snapshot to get a better idea of how the practice has responded to the COVID-19 crisis, what kind of talent they are currently looking for, and how their work has progressed since we last spoke.

What Will Airports Look Like Post-COVID-19?

2020-07-14T13:37:00-04:00

Airports are the cathedrals of the 21st century – a physical space that reflects cultural, historical and sociological trends, while ushering millions of people to their respective destinations. Airports and their host cities continue to evolve and improve at a rapid pace. This has only intensified amid recent events. Cities are anticipating future needs and public health requirements – and airports are considered a part of the solution.

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...

HUSH on the Future of Experiential Design

2020-06-22T13:00:00-04:00

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend and disrupt everyday life around the world, it has become clear that how we use buildings is also due to radically change, at least for the near-term. The door handles we touch, how close people wait in line, and when and how we occupy work spaces, retail establishments, and other shared facilities will likely be modified in some way. And while surely many of these changes will be both ad-hoc and temporary, some designers are looking to longer term technological upgrades to help streamline and bring a sense of wonder to the adaptation of these spaces.

We caught up with David Schwarz, Partner at New York City-based HUSH to get a better understanding of how experiential design might be challenged and re-calibrated in the aftermath of the pandemic. Schwarz highlights the ways that building use is poised to rely more heavily on non-tactile, auditory, and visually-based cues, for example, and how these changes can be filled with joy as well as ...

Architecture Community Experiences a Noticeable Impact on Mental Health Since Pandemic

2020-06-15T09:00:00-04:00

The results of Archinect’s COVID-19 Mental Health Survey highlight the community’s struggles with the emotional impacts of the health crisis in some striking detail and show, generally speaking, that members of the architecture community have had a difficult time with the many challenges brought forth by the pandemic.

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...

Op-Ed: Time, Space, and Adaptive Reuse in the Age of Social Distancing

2020-05-20T09:00:00-04:00

In the current pandemic era, social distancing has become synonymous to maintaining “six foot distance” to contain the community spread of COVID-19. This essentially puts architectural space at a premium for both designers and the public. To mitigate these effects, could thinking of “time” as an essential design strategy benefit architecture in the era of social distancing?

Update for May 15th: Archinect's Guide to 2020's Economy & Business

2020-05-15T19:45:00-04:00

With America's re-opening continuing apace, design energy has turned toward figuring out which and how everyday spaces like offices, schools, and restaurants are set to change. Taking a typological approach, designers and researchers are investigating how the existing built environment might be retrofit for post-pandemic use and what those changes might entail from a design perspective. Additionally, as economic losses continue to mount as the pandemic continues to kill thousands by the week, attention has begun to turn to how any potential economic recovery can be designed to benefit the greatest number of people.

This is weekly article update helps collect some of the top economic- and business-related aspects of the COVID-19 situation each week as reported by Archinect in an effort to help design professionals connect the dots between various macro-and micro-economic trends currently impacting the field. Be sure to click "follow" at the top of this article to track updates here...

How the Pandemic Is Impacting Architectural Photography

2020-05-06T12:14:00-04:00

While most of the professional and academic architecture world managed to, more or less, cope with the new reality of the pandemic by transitioning to remote work, some specialized roles in the industry intrinsically rely on the physical interaction with space in its unique location.

To find out how architectural photographers around the world have kept up so far with the sudden limitations to business, we have reached out to a number of photographers previously featured in Archinect's popular In Focus series.

We asked them how architecture had been impacted in their region, if social distancing was even possible during shoots, and how they planned on operating now with numerous new safety measures in place.

Are We Digital #6: Make it Delightful

2020-05-04T16:16:00-04:00

In the Fall of 2018, all incoming, on-campus, freshmen at The Ohio State University received an Apple iPad from the school. Referred to as the Digital Flagship initiative, this program aimed to level the technological playing field for incoming students of all backgrounds. It was a kind of simplified response to William Gibson’s often-rehearsed claim that the future is already here, however, not evenly distributed. Students were now equipped with a portable screen (and camera), carrying case, and Bluetooth stylus, and faculty were introduced to a new world of teaching opportunities afforded by the common denominator of the Apple iPad.

Architecture Deans on How COVID-19 Will Impact Architecture Education

2020-04-29T12:45:00-04:00

In an effort to gather more information regarding how schools of architecture are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis, Archinect has reached out to a collection of architecture deans and program chairs for specific insight into how each institution is responding to the crisis individually.

The first installment of a three-part COVID-19-specific Deans List update explored the fast-paced changes that are taking place at these institutions as uncertainty and rapid-response approaches become a matter of daily life. For the second installment of this series, we asked architecture directors to convey cover how COVID-19 has impacted traditional end-of-the-year activities like final reviews, thesis exhibitions, and other events. Our final installment, we asked these architecture leaders to share what they view as potential long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on architectural education.

School of Architecture Deans Detail COVID-19’s Impact on End of the Year Activities

2020-04-28T12:00:00-04:00

The first installment of a three-part COVID-19-specific Deans List update explored the fast-paced changes that are taking place at these institutions as uncertainty and rapid-response approaches become a matter of daily life. For the second installment of this series, we asked architecture directors to convey cover how COVID-19 has impacted traditional end-of-the-year activities like final reviews, thesis exhibitions, and other events. Part three will focus on the potential long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on architectural education.

School of Architecture Deans Voice Institutional Responses to the COVID-19 Crisis

2020-04-27T12:49:00-04:00

The first installment of a three-part, COVID-19-specific Deans List update explores the fast-paced changes that are taking place at these institutions as uncertainty and rapid-response approaches become a matter of daily life. We asked the architecture educators below to provide a general statement regarding how their institutions are handling the pandemic. The second installment of this series will cover how COVID-19 has impacted traditional end-of-the-year activities like final reviews, thesis exhibitions, and other events. Part three will focus on the potential long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on architectural education.