30
Windows & Walls
Feature
Postpandemic Practice
The Architect’s Newspaper
Leaders in the AEC industry discuss how COVID-19 has disrupted projects and the processes the industry was forced to alter or halt in response to state mandates. They describe what course correction looked like and how new practices might be retained in the postpandemic future. By Gabrielle Golenda
COURTESY PERKINS EASTMAN
COURTESY ROGERS PARTNERS
Rob Rogers Principal, Rogers Partners
COURTESY PERKINS EASTMAN
These past few months, and the many months in front of us, have been testing the profession as we reimagine our workplace and work process. Moreover, it’s about what we make. I think we are just beginning to forecast the lasting impacts to the spaces we share—for education, worship, recreation, and essential public gathering. Add to this the turmoil of recent days; in the best case, we gain a renewed understanding of how these spaces connect us and offer hope for the future. As a practice, we are doubly committed to the public in the public realm and are striving to understand the essence of our social behaviors. The recent challenges have delayed openings of several major projects, like the St. Pete Pier, and we are exploring strategies for scaling occupancies to discover ways to protect, enhance, and expand fundamental opportunities and needs—for everyone. We are nonetheless hopeful. Through this adversity we can begin to envision novel courses for our society and environment. The pandemic is a new lens through which we must learn new ways to see and think.
COURTESY GUARDIAN INDUSTRIES
Eric Wroldsen Director of Marketing – Americas, Guardian Industries Guardian Glass has stayed in close communication with our customers, partners, and employees as the pandemic has progressed. Regular contact means we can be responsive and helpful in addressing their needs to move us all through this crisis. Like many companies, Guardian is utilizing digital tools. However, we’ve ramped it up to take advantage of our glass expertise and serve architects’ need for continuing education credits. In May, we offered the course we planned to debut at the since-canceled AIA Conference on Architecture as part of a trio of live sessions. Continuing-education offerings on glass fabrication, the evolution of glass, and understanding the glass selection process saw great attendance and interaction thanks to promotion and sharing through social media and email outreach. Guardian Glass is on schedule for commercial product launches in 2020. Digital communication will allow our architects to capitalize on these and all Guardian high-performance, low E-coated glass products for the next generation of projects.
COURTESY PERKINS EASTMAN
Shawn Basler, Nicholas Leahy, and Andrew Adelhardt III Co-CEOs, Perkins Eastman We made a smooth, almost seamless transition to working remotely. In addition to working from home, our teams are presenting proposals and winning projects, as well as collaborating with consultants and contractors on construction administration where construction has not been stopped. In some jurisdictions, of course, construction has been put on hold because of coronavirus-related restrictions. While our staff is capable and efficient at working remotely, they do miss social interaction and look forward to seeing their peers in person. We are having many individual conversations, videoconferences, and virtual happy hours, as well as yoga classes, trivia nights, and so forth, to stay connected. We expect a much greater focus on health and wellness going forward and understand that remote working and learning will have a profound impact on how companies and institutions plan in the future.
COURTESY ASD I SK Y
The opening of St. Pete Pier was delayed by nearly two months. The pier head is one of the public programs in the revitalized urban park.
COURTESY TECTONIC PHOTO
The Arquitectonica-designed Ellipse Luxury Apartments in Jersey City, New Jersey, includes Guardian SunGuard AG 50 coated glass.