Archinect - News

Adam Neumann is attempting to buy his way back into WeWork

2024-02-06T20:00:00-05:00

Five years after driving WeWork into the ground, co-founder and ousted CEO Adam Neumann has now hatched a plan to buy it out of bankruptcy. In a letter to WeWork’s advisers obtained by The New York Times, Neumann and his new real estate business, Flow Global, express interest in buying the co-working space solution — but claim WeWork has been ignoring attempts to get more information so they can come up with a bid.

WeWork, meanwhile, is beginning to walk away from even more properties under the direction of new CEO David Tolley after announcing an initial list of 40 that would be relinquished in November.

Neumann had cited outside scrutiny as his main reason for leaving the company in September 2019. His attempts since December to purchase the company through his new housing startup Flow Global constitutes the second such push since Bay Area financier Dan Loeb funded the project in August 2022. The return-to-office downturn is being cited as their principal motivation. In a letter to WeWork advisers, Neumann's attorney said it would be a "value-maximizing transaction for all stakeholders."

WeWork currently owes about $18.6 billion in debts, according to their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing from November.

WeWork is mulling a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, according to reports

2023-11-01T16:03:00-04:00

WeWork's tumultuous thirteen-year saga may be coming to an end soon, as now Reuters and the Wall Street Journal have reported on the company’s apparently imminent plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey.

The news was first reported by the WSJ early Tuesday, precipitating a dramatic nearly 50% drop in WeWork’s stock evaluation. A spokesperson for the company told reporters from CNN the same day that they would not comment on the legal maneuver, calling the news “speculation.”

Shares of WeWork have fallen by 96% since the beginning of the year. The business model founder Adam Neumann developed into a record-breaking $47 billion initial valuation was ultimately felled by the post-pandemic rise in remote work and other factors, including multiple conflicts of interest that led to his resignation in September 2019.

Neumann has since pivoted to a new housing startup venture called Flow last summer following a $350 million outside investment and is yet to provide his own stat...

Economic and political obstacles stand in way of office-to-residential conversion projects

2023-07-25T12:12:00-04:00

These conversions seem like a win-win: turning a plethora of barely used office space into desperately needed urban housing. But converting offices into apartments is easier said than done. And while it's easy to imagine the process behind conversions, like adding in walls and plumbing, it gets complicated.

Various cities across the United States have been turning to office-to-residential conversions as a way to address declining city cores that have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels. As noted by NPR, San Francisco is making way for these conversions by adjusting current building codes and getting rid of extra fees. In Washington D.C., the mayor has proposed an increase in tax breaks for owners of downtown office buildings who convert them to housing.

Previously on Archinect: A new Brookings Institution report extends solutions to America's struggling office-to-residential conversion market

While cities are aiming to provide favorable incentives for conversions, the benefits may still fall short due to the many obstacles in front of ensuring a successful project. On top of some office buildings lacking the physical qualities needed to convert to residential, strict zoning rules, as seen in New York City, already determine which buildings can be transformed into housing. And, rezoning ca...

Are you an architect or designer in search of remote work? Explore these opportunities on Archinect Jobs

2023-07-07T10:39:00-04:00

With hybrid work setups now becoming the norm for many architecture offices, some firms have embraced remote work for their teams. This week, we highlight 9 firms offering fully and partially remote job positions currently listed on the Archinect Job Board.

If you're curious about maintaining a virtual work-life balance or prepping for a virtual job interview, don't forget to check out our Archinect Tips section!

Center Street Parking Garage. Facade design by Neme Design Studio in collaboration with Marcy Wong Donn Logan Architects (Design Architect). Image © Henrik Kam

Neme Design Studio, Inc seeks a Facade Designer/Project Architect

Details: "The candidate’s role is a Facade Designer working under a Senior Facade Designer to design, model, and document facade systems. As Facade Designer / Project Architect, an individual shall: Review projects with the senior facade designer to identify scope. Produce detailed 3D models of the facade system in RhinoProduce plans, elevations, secti...

Gensler survey reveals the ways Gen Z workers are being drawn back to the office

2023-06-23T18:03:00-04:00

Remote work is second nature for Generation Z, many of whom graduated college and started careers during the pandemic. And yet, many are now transitioning to in-person work as they look for more workplace connections, learning opportunities and socialization with coworkers. That means figuring out what kind of workspace environment will keep Gen Z workers interested, is becoming a higher priority.

According to the 2023 Global Workplace Survey Comparison by Gensler, there has been a sudden split, spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic, in the workplace preferences for Gen Z workers compared to older generations.

To start, the findings reveal that Gen Z workers place more value on learning and socializing at work, along with flexibility. Essentially this means that younger workers value having a variety of experiences in the workplace. These experiences include having both private and collaborative spaces, made possible by open, changeable layouts, access to more amenities, and having more in-person, social interactions.

The survey has found that younger workers are being drawn towards offices and away from remote work due to the accessibility of leadership and continued education that could help drive career growth. Some companies looking to adapt to meet these evo...

A new Brookings Institution report extends solutions to America's struggling office-to-residential conversion market

2023-05-02T13:21:00-04:00

A new report published by the Brookings Institution is offering potential solutions for developers, architects, and urban planners engaged in office-to-residential conversions in the hopes of remedying the spate of downtown declines that are beginning to plague cities across the country.

Co-authors Tracy Hadden Loh, Egon Terplan, and DW Rowlands explain: “This report begins by identifying the five common arguments made by proponents for converting offices into housing. It then evaluates the myths and realities of each argument, using data from cities across the United States. It concludes with six recommendations for what cities should do about conversions and what other long-term strategies they could adopt.”

By first identifying and then debunking the critical “myths” they say predominate thinking in the market, the authors make possible a clearer path towards more informed conversion strategies. Notions that conversions are either too pricey or the key to providing solutions to a...

Harvard students' survey finds most architectural tasks can be done remotely

2023-03-13T08:00:00-04:00

Students from the Harvard Graduate School of Design have published the results of their survey into the question of whether architecture can be practiced remotely. Launched in November 2022, the survey received 221 responses from across the profession and has led organizers to conclude that “architects believe that the vast majority of architectural tasks can be done ‘entirely or almost entirely remotely’”.

The survey, authored by students Su In Kim, Yun Ki Cheung, and Pedro Rodríguez-Parets as part of the “Frameworks of Practice” course, was designed to reflect NCARB's structure for the ARE, specifying 36 tasks across 6 project phases to create what the organizers considered a typical workflow from project inception to completion as well as practice management. For each of the 36 tasks, the survey asked respondents to respond ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question of whether the specific task could be done “almost entirely or entirely remotely.”

Graph via the "Can Architecture be practiced...

15+ remote architecture job opportunities

2023-02-24T12:19:00-05:00

The option (or necessity) of remote work is still a reality as we enter 2023. Firms have become more well-versed in providing remote working opportunities for team members as the industry continues to rebound and pivot since 2020.

Recently we made some updates to Archinect Jobs including the option for firms to specify an in-house job location, with the option of potentially working remotely.

For our latest curated job picks installment, we feature 13 employers offering remote job opportunities at architecture and design firms around the country, many with options to also work in-person.

Be sure to visit the Archinect Job Board to explore more remote jobs as well as other employment opportunities.

Image courtesy of IS-DG.

IS-DG seeks an Architect Level II
Based in Philadelphia, PA

Details: "We are seeking an experienced and curious emerging architect to join our team. With 6-8 years of experience, you will have already honed your technical skills and are now seeking to push the bounda...

New York City announces new 40,000-unit adaptive reuse office conversion plan

2023-01-13T11:50:00-05:00

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has unveiled an ambitious plan to help convert the city’s unused office spaces into apartment dwellings in an effort to bring online 40,000 new units of housing in the next decade.

The plan, which includes a new study and 11 “concrete recommendations” made by the new Adaptive Reuse Task Force announced by Adams over the summer, will target a total of 136 million square feet of office space for conversions using updates to state laws and local zoning codes under the leadership of Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick.

Adams said the effort offers a “roadmap to deliver on a vision for a more vibrant, resilient, prosperous, and affordable city.” Its effectiveness in combating the city's dual housing crisis and expected economic downturn is vital to Adams' success in office and can potentially be seen as a bellwether for other cities as they attempt to find their own answers to the changes made to the urban environment following COVID.

Image...

New Harvard online survey asks: Can architecture be practiced remotely?

2022-11-18T12:02:00-05:00

As the global COVID-19 pandemic approaches the end of its now third calendar year, the architecture industry is once again in a state of adjustment, seeking to find that sweet spot between various available remote, hybrid, and in-person working arrangements. Continuing shifts in technological, health, and cultural standards have forced architectural practice, as well as employment models, to adapt to the post-pandemic challenges at hand.

A new research project at the Harvard Graduate School of Design is looking to study these trends within architectural practice at a time when an increasing number of firms choose to return the office.

Led by instructor Jacob Reidel under the banner of "Frameworks of Practice," the initiative aims to "understand how architects have designed new ways of practicing in direct response to crises ranging from economic collapse to structural racism to natural disaster to global pandemic."

Through a brief online survey with simple rating questions, the st...

WeWork is cutting back as losses continue into Q3

2022-11-14T17:02:00-05:00

WeWork said Thursday that it was going to close roughly 40 “underperforming” locations in the United States and tempered its revenue forecast for the year, highlighting the challenges the co-working company still faces after its near collapse and subsequent bailout in 2019.

The company reported a pre-pandemic level matching 71% occupancy rate for Q3 but will fall short of previously projected revenue values for the year owing to “lower than expected” growth in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. Its own S9-designed Dock 72 corporate offices in Brooklyn were also reduced as a result of the financials. In an earnings call, CEO Sandeep Mathrani pointed to the “headwinds in the office sector” as a potential advantage as it looks to rebound and pay back debts to SoftBank and JPMorgan before 2025.

12 featured remote jobs for architects and designers

2022-09-27T14:32:00-04:00

While discussions over returning to the office continue to arise, several architecture firms have stuck with providing remote options for their staff. Archinect Jobs, the industry's go-to source for job seekers and hiring firms, continues to see a growth in employment opportunities, especially the need for remote workers.

Continuing with Archinect's featured job highlights, here are eight firms with remote opportunities for architects, designers, managers, and interior designers.

Studio STE seeks a Junior Interior Architect/Designer

Details: "Our projects range from high-end residential renovations to retail interiors. As the Principle licensed Architect, the Founder is looking for a part-time (3-4 days per week) designer and self-starter to assist with our daily workflow, which touches upon all facets of design. The firm is made up of a small team of talented (mostly female) designers that strive for high-quality workmanship along with professional, human, and friendly relationshi...

Nearly half of Manhattan employees have returned to the office according to new study

2022-09-16T14:18:00-04:00

The Partnership for New York City has surveyed more than 160 major Manhattan office employers over the past two weeks to get a sense of the number of employees that have returned to office work or are still working remotely.

They found that 49% of workers were at their office workplace on an average weekday, with the share of fully-remote employees dropping from 28% in April to 16% in mid-September. According to the survey, the share of Manhattan workers in the office is expected to gradually increase through 2022 reaching 54% by January 2023.

The number of employees working on a hybrid office schedule sits at 77%, with 55% of surveyed responses indicating that at least three days a week are spent at the office.

The researchers found that 54% of employers expect their office employee headcount to increase or stay the same over the next five years, with 10% expecting...

Zoom Town to Boom Town: North American business districts are going to evolve instead of dying off completely

2022-08-29T17:30:00-04:00

Even if the office were to go the way of the horse-drawn carriage, the neighborhoods we refer to today as downtowns would endure. Downtowns and the cities they anchor are the most adaptive and resilient of human creations The rise of remote work today won’t kill off our downtowns, but they will be forced to change once again. And with smart strategies and perseverance on the part of city leaders, real estate developers and the civic community, they can become even better than they were.

Writer Richard Florida is back with a new look at the “basic reason” behind his predicted rebound of central business districts, which he claims is an inevitability based on the historic evolution of such areas and recent building trends to convert hotels and office buildings into residential housing. Florida had previously explained that the pandemic has merely accelerated existing shifts towards remade “central connectivity districts,” and now points to a new study by the University of Toronto’s School of Cities as evidence that their rebound is (pardon me) a slam dunk.

He then predicts that suburbs will bear the brunt of the urban office exodus — in particular for knowledge workers — which in turn will remedy the “separation of life and work that was the product of the Industrial Revolution.” Florida also alluded to an interesting Gensler survey of city dwellers, which ranked office space near the bottom in terms of importance.

Work from anywhere: 15 featured remote job opportunities for architects and designers

2022-08-11T13:38:00-04:00

Remote working arrangements continue to be a popular feature among the openings listed on Archinect Jobs, as many architecture and design firms in need of new team members seek to attract talented applicants regardless of geographic proximity, according to the feedback we received from this Archinect employment survey.

In today's curated job picks, we are highlighting a number of exciting remote working opportunities at hiring firms around the country.

To show only positions designated as "remote" on Archinect Jobs, use this direct link or select "Remote" under the "browse by state/country" region selector.

To look up specific job titles from the architectural profession, consult Archinect's Guide to Job Titles series. Also, follow our Archinect Tips series to improve your portfolio, resume, interviewing skills, and increase your overall chances of getting that next job.

OFFICEUNTITLED (OU) seeks three Regional Design Strategy Managers: Bay Area, APAC, and EMEA - Germany and/or In...

D.C. steps up office-to-residential conversions in the face of housing shortage

2022-08-09T10:00:00-04:00

Through the doldrums of America’s pandemic-triggered office downturn, the nation’s capital is quickly turning into a case study for the conversion of former commercial spaces into residential housing and mixed-use development.

The Washingtonian magazine recently did a survey of different office conversions in and around the District. Vacancy rates in the area climbed to an all-time high last quarter, and the city is predictably feeling the same housing crunch as nearly every other metropolitan area of the country.

A 2019 report from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments indicated that the area needs to bring online at least 325,000 units before the end of the decade in order to match rising demands, making its estimated 157.9 million square feet of rentable office space a prime target for prospective developers.

The up-for-grabs Victor Building near downtown. Image courtesy Brookfield Properties.

Among the projects mentioned are PGN’s conversion of the former Peace Corp...

Inside MVRDV’s post-pandemic interior redesign for Shopify in Berlin

2022-07-14T09:00:00-04:00

MVRDV has offered an insight into their recently-completed interior redesign for Shopify in Berlin. The 1,000-square-meter (10,700-square-foot) renovation began before the COVID-19 pandemic but was heavily altered mid-construction to respond to post-pandemic work trends.

Photograph © Daria Scagliola

Adopting the view that individual tasks would continue to be fulfilled remotely, the pivot in Shopify’s renovation sought to maximize the building’s potential as a “base for working collaboratively with others, brainstorming new ideas, and engaging in the company’s vibrant culture.”

Photograph © Daria Scagliola

“This project gave us an exciting opportunity to think critically about how workspaces can be reimagined after 2020,” said MVRDV partner Fokke Moerel about the scheme. “Now people can work from home — and for a company like Shopify, whose work is primarily remote-first, that’s even easier. In turn, what was once an office becomes a space for employees to collaborate with intention, ...

Be an architect from anywhere with an internet connection — 13 featured remote job opportunities

2022-05-26T16:57:00-04:00

Working remotely has become commonplace for many firms as they navigate the ongoing effects of the pandemic. With projects continuing to move forward, offices and studios have adopted safer work practices to keep their teams connected and motivated. The continued evolution and iteration of approaching hybrid work environments has also become a growing reality for firms this year.

Archinect Jobs, the industry's go-to source for job seekers and hiring firms, continues to see an uptick in jobs specifically for remote workers. This week, Archinect features 13 employment opportunities from nine firms currently offering full-time and part-time remote working positions. We've also highlighted remote job opportunities for recent graduates.

Center Street Parking Garage, Berkeley by Marcy Wong Donn Logan Architects in collaboration with Neme Design Studio.

Neme Design Studio, Inc seeks a Facade Designer/Project Architect

Details: We are Façade Design Designers and Digital Fabrication Speciali...

Architects earn more from renovations than new builds for first time, fueled by workplace revolution

2022-05-10T09:00:00-04:00

Architecture firms are billing more from reconstruction and renovation projects than they are from new builds for the first time; a milestone driven by soaring demand for office renovations. In the 20 years that the AIA has been collecting data on billings for renovations versus new build projects, the share of billings received from renovations has been consistently rising for over a decade, suggesting the new milestone is not entirely attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout 2021, works to existing facilities reached 52% of architecture firm billings. According to AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, one quarter of works to existing facilities comprise adaptive reuse, with another quarter owing to conversion and basic interior modernization. 18% comprises tenant fit-outs while adding usable space and upgrading building facades or systems each comprise 10%.

“This is a l...

How does asynchronous work intersect with architectural practice?

2022-04-15T11:47:00-04:00

While speculation over what a long-term “post-pandemic workplace” may look like is often distilled into conversations about remote and hybrid working, the topic of asynchronous working garners relatively less attention. This comes despite the fact that many of the touted benefits of remote working, whether it be more accessible childcare options, fewer travel constraints, or personal appointments and commitments, would be more accurately described as benefits of an asynchronous workplace, rather than a remote or hybrid one.

As a BBC article on the subject from 2021 points out, remote working and asynchronous working are separate, standalone structures. While remote and hybrid working arrangements are simply a matter of location, asynchronous working is a matter of time, where each individual worker can structure their workday free of a typical 9–5 arrangement, rather than all employees of a company working the same synchronized hours.

Related on Archinect: An architect’s advice ...

An architect’s advice on boosting creativity in hybrid workplaces

2022-04-06T09:00:00-04:00

In a new thought piece, NBBJ architect Ryan Mullenix presents the findings of NBBJ and the University of Washington’s research into how hybrid workspaces impact creativity. Coincidentally launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the research sought to establish the key behavioral and spatial elements which can enable creative workers, including architects, to maintain a creative flair away from their traditional workplace.

The research’s findings may prove useful for creatives long after the pandemic, with evidence including Archinect’s own survey finding that hybrid work options have become a permanent fixture in architectural employment. For example, there are currently 41 open positions on Archinect’s job board offering purely remote working.

According to architect Mullenix, a key finding from research participants was that “control” remains an important part of workplace setting...

Norman Foster says he still hasn't lost that old, familiar feeling

2022-04-05T12:03:00-04:00

If I enjoy doing what I do, why would I change it? Of course, at any point with any of us, there’s always the other side of the coin […] I get the same buzz from designing buildings, working with people, educational workshops, working with the UN heading their Forum of Mayors, engaging with civic leaders, writing, drawing, sketching. I’m privileged to have many such opportunities […] I think they’re my lifeblood, yes.”

Norman Foster, who will turn 87 this year, was at the Guggenheim Bilbao to talk to The Guardian’s Tim Lewis about his lifelong love of cars and upcoming exhibition there titled “Motion. Autos, Art, Architecture.” Foster told the writer he sees the exhibition as “almost like the requiem for the age of combustion,” adding that, at this point in his career, “I feel as young as the people that I’m working with and engaging with and sharing passions.”

Foster also discussed his reaction to some of the changes in worklife necessitated by the coronavirus, and the ability of his office to get back on its feet following a year of economic downturn.

Earlier on Archinect: Norman Foster on the impact of pandemics on our cities

“We were all surprised by the way in which the technology has worked,” he said. “And the energy and resourcefulness of the team. But I guess it’s also made us acutely aware of the importance of physically coming together. The lessons of history are that an event like that ...

Lloyd's has dropped plans to reimagine its Richard Rogers-designed office in a potential portent to its future

2022-01-31T17:20:00-05:00

As a follow up to the recent surprising news that insurance giant Lloyd’s of London may be considering a potential exit from the award-winning Lime Street headquarters designed for them by late architect Richard Rogers in the late 1970s (opened in 1986), The Architect’s Journal UK is now reporting that the company has also paused previously announced plans to overhaul a major portion of the building in what could be a sign about the future status of its lifelong tenant.

The all-important Underwriting Room within Lloyd’s was supposed to be the subject of the planned fixes, although now plans are being revisited, according to a spokesperson for the company. Lloyd’s is saying it has made the decision to step back from the project its CEO said would be a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for architects in order to “ensure our vision for the future of this space is in line with the market’s needs and fit for purpose.”

Rogers’ original design of the Lloyd’s building included the multistor...

Lloyd's of London is mulling an exit from Richard Rogers' award-winning headquarters building

2022-01-24T20:31:00-05:00

Lloyd's of London (SOLYD.UL) is considering whether to remain in its flagship City of London headquarters and may make a decision this year, the commercial insurance market said on Tuesday.

The news comes just over a month after the death of its Pritzker-winning architect in London at the age of 88. A Lloyd’s spokesperson pointed to the shifts in workplace culture brought on by the Coronavirus as significant factors behind the potential change.

The insurance giant's headquarters is one of several listed buildings in the Lime Street vicinity and was bought in 2013 by a Chinese insurance company, which holds the current lease until 2031 with a clause that can be broken in 2026, according to a real estate publication called React.

Interior view of the Lloyd's building. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Lloyd's of London (CC BY 2.5)

"As we adapt to new structures and flexible ways of working, we are continuing to carefully think about the future requirements for the spaces and services our marketplace needs," the company said in an email to Reuters. "Like many other organisations, we are considering a range of options around our workspace strategy and the future l...

Expert tips for architecture offices creating hybrid work structures

2021-11-16T16:26:00-05:00

At the end of September, we released the results of our survey of the architectural community’s plans to return to the office after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, only 29% of respondents said that their firms required all staff to return to in-studio working, with 15% still required to work remotely. An additional 39% of respondents were being offered a choice of working remotely, returning to the office, or operating on a hybrid model between the office and their home.

Of the respondents who had been offered the choice between working from the office, the home, or a hybrid model, over half had chosen the hybrid model. As the pandemic wanes, there is evidence that this embrace of either a fully or partially remote approach to work will remain over the long term. Over on our jobs board, for example, there are currently 34 active job openings for remote candidates, ranging from 3D designers to project architects to HR specialists.

Archinect Survey Results: Did the Architectur...

Apparently modular remote working pods are here to stay

2021-10-22T12:18:00-04:00

With the work-at-home lifestyle likely here to stay, people are taking things outdoors, creating spaces meant for privacy and comfort. [...] More than a year and a half into the pandemic, working from home seems like an increasingly permanent proposition. Nearly 80 percent of business leaders and 70 percent of the general public said people would likely never return to offices at the rate they did before the coronavirus [...]

Isolated working structures as small as 3x6 feet have been cropping up in high-density areas like London where the office and home have switched places, leaving opportunity at both ends for designers and manufacturers to meet the demands of remote workers whilst also providing space to answer cities' pressing need for affordable housing.

“You might find enlightenment or something from working in a tiny space,” one designer told the Times. Examples of the typology offer exciting glimpses into what could be the future of commuting for a large swath of the population. As many as 255 million people could be working remote full-time by the end of the decade.

The New York Times has more on the modular work pod revolution here.

New York's subway system could be broke by 2025 as remote work continues

2021-09-29T20:40:00-04:00

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the largest U.S. mass-transit provider, is running on borrowed time, facing budget and revenue challenges as federal aid is set to tap out in 2025, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, said in a report Tuesday.

The announcement comes on the heels of a rough summer for the MTA, which is only now seeing its ridership climb past 50% of pre-pandemic levels as it weighs a controversial congestion pricing plan that would add $1 billion in revenue a year beginning in 2023.

Interim boss Sarah Feinberg stepped down in late July, creating a leadership vacuum for the agency, which is now projecting $3.5 billion budget deficits that will run into 2024 and 2025. The MTA currently owes about $48 billion in debt.

The MTA will now have to grapple with the ramifications of the remote work revolution. According to the state’s report, annual fare revenues could decrease by $500 million if the typical rider adopts a three-to-four-day telecommute.

17 remote architecture and design positions currently listed on Archinect Jobs

2021-09-16T15:40:00-04:00

As firms prepare for the last quarter of the year, many are already preparing for 2022. Some offices are back to in-person work settings while others are continuing with a hybrid approach, and some have completely transitioned to remote setups. This week, we highlight 11 firms and 17 remote job positions currently listed on the Archinect Job Board.

If you're curious about maintaining a virtual work-life balance or prepping for a virtual job interview, don't forget to check out our Archinect Tips section!

TreeHouse by LEVER Architecture.

LEVER Architecture seeks a Mid-Level Interior Designer

Firm Details: "LEVER Architecture is a mid-sized architecture firm based in Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, CA. The firm brings international experience and design excellence to a diverse range of building types including institutional, creative office, and multi-family housing, as well as being nationally recognized for technical innovation with mass timber."

Job Description/Experience: "We a...

Have your return-to-office plans changed in recent months? Let us know.

2021-08-24T08:00:00-04:00

A lot has changed since Archinect released the findings of its initial Return-to-Office survey in March this year. Responses gathered from the architecture community during the first weeks of 2021 displayed an overwhelming commitment by employers to offer an option to work remotely and/or to provide spatial changes to the work environment to protect employees that would soon return to in-person work.

Since then, a large share of the workforce has received vaccine protection against COVID-19 (while a significant share still has not), inspiring a somewhat hopeful, 'return-to-normal' atmosphere during the late Spring months. And then, there was the sudden rise of the Delta Variant since the early Summer, requiring public health officials in many parts of the country to return to stricter safety measures with direct implications on work, school, and public life.

Previously on Archinect: The Architecture Community on Return-to-Office Plans in 2021

To learn how Archinect's community of ar...

The pandemic is causing a host of changes in multifamily unit design

2021-08-13T09:00:00-04:00

The conversation around the shift from workplace to workspace often gets stuck on how the office is transitioning to meet the evolving needs of employees. But it isn’t just offices that are adjusting. Like their office-owning counterparts, multifamily landlords and operators are studying shifts in workplace strategy, planning new ways to design layouts and apply technology to support the growing work from home population.

The pandemic has caused a sharp pullback in multifamily construction as developers have struggled to adapt to the shift in lifestyles. Increased needs for high-quality internet and added remote workspaces have beset the residential market historically driven by amenity trends and aesthetic considerations.

Some firms have been investing in comprehensive surveys and other types of consultations. It has been estimated that up to 70% of the workforce could be remote by mid-decade. Propmodo has more on pandemic-induced design trends in multifamily design here.