What does the “new normal” look like for commercial and residential multi-family buildings post-pandemic? In the Canadian Architect article “How Will the Design of Commercial and Multi-Unit Residential Buildings Change, Post-Pandemic?, the authors discuss this topic, including the hurdles that developers as well as commercial building owners and operators face during the transition into the post-pandemic environment. Modified solutions such as touch-free sensors, dividers, and package reception systems are some of the essential factors people need.

Here is an excerpt from the article: “How Will the Design of Commercial and Multi-Unit Residential Buildings Change, Post-Pandemic?:” The current global pandemic has quickly transformed our spaces, affecting how people are living, working, and moving through their day-to-day lives. Kasian’s team has been working on redesigning these environments and proposing pilot projects to pivot for use in the pandemic and in a post-COVID world. For new and existing commercial office developments, the use of elevators, washrooms, and lobbies needs to be reconsidered to respect physical distancing requirements. As remote work becomes the new normal for many, there will be a greater demand for flexibility in shared spaces. Today, there is an acute awareness of cleanliness and sanitization, making touchless fixtures more common, along with a preference for finishes such as white tile, porcelain, or stainless steel. There has been a rise in handwashing awareness over the years, and now we understand it as a critical hygiene requirement.

Connectivity and power requirements have been changing at offices as well as at residential properties, as we see an increase in the need for Wi-Fi and outlets to power robotic and Artificial Intelligence (AI) residential technologies. We anticipate an ongoing increase in touchless, motion, occupancy, and heat sensors in office spaces. These smart building tools will help towards achieving sustainable design goals, and lowered energy costs.

Storage for deliveries is an existing problem that has intensified during the pandemic, due to a sudden surge in demand for e-commerce products and other touchless delivery services. Demand is also increasing for secure, temperature- and humidity-controlled storage for multi-family residential communities. Building these into mixed-use and multi-family developments—or retrofitting them into existing communities—makes sense for both residential and commercial tenants.

The way we choose to build our homes, our communities, and our environment will shape our society for generations to come. We are living through a time that many have called unprecedented, when in fact we have survived and thrived despite past outbreaks and pandemics. We have an opportunity to make positive changes and innovate with our architecture and interior design.

Success will come from collaboration and sharing of knowledge and will manifest in a consistency of solutions for permanent, lasting change. Our workplaces and homes will adjust, and we can acknowledge that this pandemic has accelerated improvements that were already in motion. As architects and interior designers, we are the drivers for a once-in-a-generation shift to shape our spaces in new ways.”

Allmar Inc. offers products that cater to these needs, from wave-technology hand dryers, faucets, and soap dispensers to automatic door operators with wave-to-open switches, to dividers, sliding doors, and package reception systems.

Contact us today to consult with you on your next project or to discuss enhancements or maintenance requirements for your facility.

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