The New Approach: Six Pandemic-Driven Shifts in Design

The COVID-19 pandemic has indelibly altered the landscape of our world, impacting every corner of society. From disrupting global economies and healthcare systems to transforming how we live, work and interact, the pandemic reinforced the need for resilience in the face of unforeseen challenges. Within this global context of change and adaptation, architects and designers were compelled to explore methodologies that prioritized safety, functionality and flexibility and work to create spaces that safeguard health and well-being while remaining adaptable to rapidly changing needs. 

Today, designers are reimagining the built environment to address new health and safety concerns while also considering the longer-term implications of their designs on human behavior and environmental sustainability. In this article, we'll unpack how the profession has navigated the complex challenges presented by the pandemic, highlighting the innovative solutions that have emerged, collaborative efforts to adapt to new working realities and the strategic integration of resilience and sustainability principles. By examining these responses and adaptations, we can gain insight into the lessons learned and how these experiences will shape future practices, heralding a new era of thoughtful, adaptable and resilient design.

Shift #1: Adapting with Real-Time Innovation

In response to the pandemic, architects quickly mobilized to reevaluate and modify their ongoing projects to align with emergent health and safety protocols. This mobilization necessitated a swift adaptation of space layouts, incorporating measures such as reconfigured floor plans, integration of partitioned spaces, enhancements in ventilation systems, the installation of touchless fixtures and the incorporation of flexible, modular components designed to serve various purposes and scenarios. This adjustment period prompted a wave of creativity and innovation within the industry as designers worked to find immediate, practical solutions. Notable adaptations included the transformation of hotels, convention centers and stadiums into makeshift healthcare facilities, the repurposing of parking lots, sidewalks and public parks for outdoor dining and retail operations, the establishment of temporary testing and vaccination sites and the design of prefabricated modular housing to assist unhoused and low-income individuals. 

We also embarked on a journey of innovation, seeking new design philosophies and methodologies to meet the unique challenges presented by the pandemic. This exploration led to the adoption of materials and technologies to reduce pathogen transmission and minimize the need for frequent surface cleaning and saw designers incorporate smart and biophilic elements to enhance indoor environmental quality and foster a stronger connection with the natural world. During this time, we began reevaluating spatial norms, particularly regarding human density and proximity, creating hybrid, multifunctional spaces capable of supporting diverse activities, from work and education to leisure and social interaction. Moreover, pandemic-driven explorations gave rise to adaptive and responsive environments that could evolve in response to the changing needs and preferences of users and the surrounding context, marking a significant shift in architectural practice towards more resilient and flexible design strategies. Though these changes were brought on by a real and urgent need, they've continued to influence how unused buildings are being redesigned. Whereas before certain strategies were seen as too costly, today, we're seeing designers convert office space to residential space and increasingly utilize flexible space design. 

Shift #2: Overcoming Unique Budget Challenges

The pandemic introduced a host of unprecedented budgeting and cost estimation challenges. The fluctuating prices of materials, supply shortages, delivery delays and uncertain demand significantly impacted project feasibility and profitability. A notable example of this volatility was the steel market, where prices became so unstable that, at times, steel was more expensive than mass timber, highlighting the unpredictability architects had to navigate.

In response to these challenges, we adopted several strategic approaches to manage budget constraints. One key strategy involved clients and contractors negotiating flexible contingencies and providing financial flexibility in response to shifting market conditions. This approach helped mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensured that projects could proceed despite economic uncertainties. We also sought alternative and locally available materials and solutions to circumvent the reliance on imported or scarce resources. Exploring local options helped reduce project costs and minimize a design's environmental impact, contributing to more sustainable building practices. 

Another critical measure was the adoption of new, efficient approaches to design and construction. Our teams reevaluated structural solutions, mechanical systems, building envelopes, and high-cost interior elements such as lighting, seeking innovations that could deliver cost savings without compromising quality or functionality.

Lastly, we rethought space utilization within their projects, aiming to accommodate multiple programs within the same environment. In one of our designs for a museum, auditorium and event space, for example, we achieved original programmatic goals with less space by utilizing operational and mobile transitional strategies within a single space, thereby reducing the construction's overall cost and establishing a new model for museum and auditorium environments. Through these adaptive strategies, architects navigated the budgetary challenges posed by the pandemic, demonstrating resilience and innovation in the face of financial adversity. 

Shift #3: Reimagining Collaboration 

The pandemic ushered in a significant transformation in how architects collaborate with clients and partners, driven by the necessity to adapt to new ways of working as in-person meetings and site visits became increasingly difficult or impossible. This shift saw designers leaning heavily on digital tools and platforms to ensure smooth communication, coordination and project management. Key among these strategies were video conferencing and document-sharing applications, which became the new norm for conducting meetings and presentations. Cloud-based software and platforms became vital resources for the real-time collaboration and updating of design iteration, drawings, models and data, ensuring that all stakeholders remained informed and engaged despite the physical distance. AI brings more possibilities for strengthening and improving these connections, which can enhance the generation and dissemination of information.

We also harnessed digital surveying and scanning technologies to accurately capture and document existing site conditions and monitor progress, overcoming the challenges posed by restricted site access. Leveraging virtual and augmented reality technologies, we were able to provide immersive and interactive simulations and visualizations that brought designs to life in a way that traditional methods could not. While presenting challenges such as technical glitches, concerns over data security and decreased social interaction, these digital collaboration tools brought undeniable benefits. We increased efficiency, flexibility and accessibility in the architectural process and the technologies proved cost-effective, helping to reshape the landscape of architectural collaboration in the pandemic era and beyond.

One real-world example is how we remotely navigated the construction administration of a seven-story health science building in Phoenix, Arizona, from our office in Omaha, Nebraska. Despite many challenges inherent in managing a project almost entirely virtually, through deep collaboration and skillful management, the building met document requirements and was completed on time, all while maintaining worker safety. 

Shift #4: Rethinking Sustainability and Resilience 

The pandemic has served as a powerful catalyst for emphasizing the importance of sustainability and resilience. Sustainability in this context means a design's capacity to diminish its environmental footprint while maximizing resource efficiency and overall performance. Resilience, on the other hand, describes a design's robustness in facing and bouncing back from various adversities, including natural disasters, climate change and health crises like pandemics. Architects have responded to these imperatives by weaving sustainability and resilience principles into projects through several innovative approaches:

• Application of passive strategies to reduce first costs and energy consumption to enhance the thermal comfort of buildings. These strategies capitalize on natural light and thermal properties, maximizing access to daylight and enhancing thermal and ventilation comfort to support user wellness. 

• Integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, has always had to validate its first costs through ROI studies. The emphasis on reliable peak demand power requirements has given renewable energy sources more validity through energy company incentive programs.

• Implementation of native, drought-tolerant plantings has given way to limited or no-irrigation site designs aimed at reducing water use and improving quality to help mitigate the strain on municipal water systems and the environment.

• Material selection has also shifted to emphasize locally sourced and repurposed options that lower costs and, in turn, the embodied carbon footprint and waste associated with construction projects. 

In the pandemic era, architects have emphasized inherently flexible and adaptable designs, ensuring that buildings can serve multiple purposes and accommodate various users over their lifespan. This adaptability extends to the concept of redundancy and diversity in design, ensuring that buildings have backup systems and alternative features to maintain functionality during disruptions or emergencies. Through these concerted efforts, we’re addressing the immediate demands for sustainability and resilience and laying the groundwork for more durable and environmentally responsible structures that can withstand future challenges.

Shift #5: Evolving Client Expectations

The pandemic has significantly reshaped client expectations and requirements in architectural design services. With a heightened awareness and concern for the health and safety aspects of built environments, clients are now more discerning and demanding regarding the performance and functionality of spaces. This shift has led to specific changes in what clients seek from architectural projects.

Clients increasingly demand robust evidence and data to underpin design decisions and solutions. This evidence-based approach is crucial for them to assess the effectiveness and impact of design choices, ensuring that outcomes meet their health, safety and usability expectations. Alongside this, there's a growing expectation for design solutions to be flexible and adaptable. Recognizing that needs and circumstances can evolve rapidly, clients require spaces they can easily modify to accommodate new requirements due to changes in use, capacity or function. Sustainability and resilience have also come to the forefront of client considerations. There's a clear mandate for designs that minimize environmental impact and enhance' durability and reliability, reflecting a broader understanding of the importance of creating buildings that can withstand future challenges, including climate change, natural disasters and potential health crises.

Clients are also calling for greater involvement and participation in the design process. This desire for collaboration extends to requests for increased transparency and accountability from architects. Clients want to be active participants in creating spaces that align with their values and needs, and they expect open communication and clear justifications for design choices. These evolving expectations underscore a shift towards more responsible, responsive and user-focused architectural design, driven by the lessons of the pandemic and the changing priorities of those commissioning and using design services.

Shift #6: Reexamining Futureproofing 

The pandemic has served as a stark reminder of the need for architects to adopt a forward-thinking approach, urging them to design for the present and anticipate and mitigate future uncertainties. The concept of future-proofing designs has thus gained significant momentum, focusing on creating adaptable, resilient spaces responsive to the evolving needs of users and their environments. This proactive approach to architecture aims to create buildings and spaces that are functional, relevant and sustainable in the face of potential challenges.

We’ve employed several strategies to embed futureproofing into our designs. Scenario planning and testing have become crucial tools, allowing our teams to identify and assess potential risks and opportunities to anticipate various futures, ensuring a building’s preparedness for different eventualities. Systems thinking and holistic design approaches are also fundamental to future-proofing efforts; designers can create more resilient and adaptable spaces by considering and integrating the complex relationships that affect design—from environmental conditions to social trends and technological advancements. This comprehensive perspective ensures that designs are responsive to immediate needs and equipped to evolve.

Parametric (creating designs based on adjustable parameters and rules) and generative (using algorithms to generate designs based on goals and constraints) design methods represent another key aspect of futureproofing. These innovative tools and techniques allow for creating and optimizing a wide array of design solutions, facilitating the exploration of diverse alternatives that can adapt to changing requirements and contexts. Likewise, incorporating feedback and learning mechanisms into designs enables ongoing monitoring and analysis of how spaces perform. This iterative process allows for continual improvement, resulting in designs that can adapt based on actual use and feedback and remain effective and relevant over time. Through these strategies, we’re laying the groundwork for a future where built environments are resilient to the challenges ahead and capable of adapting and evolving in response to the changing needs and conditions of occupants and the broader context. The hopeful outcome is not to demolish but to rethink the possibilities. 

Shaping Post-Pandemic Spaces

Reflecting on the transformative shifts in design catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it's clear that our profession has entered a new era of innovation, resilience and humanity-centered practices. These challenges have tested our creativity and adaptability and reaffirmed the vital role of architecture in enhancing the human experience, ensuring health and safety, and fostering sustainable environments. As we move forward, we must continue to leverage the insights and strategies developed during this period to anticipate future challenges and proactively address them.

How can we, as architects and designers, further push the boundaries of what it means to create meaningful, resilient spaces in a post-pandemic world? This question serves as a call to action for all of us, urging us to imagine and inspire a future where architecture continually adapts, responds and contributes positively to the global community.