High-Profile Focus: Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering
12
May 2021
Focus: Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering Landscaping and Architecture Trends Signify Continued Precautions and Restrictions Even as Vaccinations Increase and Pandemic Slowly Ends Submitted by Wollaston Development and SDI Architecture As vaccine roll-outs continue and scores of Americans are inoculated daily, life is slowly returning to normal. Massachusetts has entered Phase 4 of its reopening plan, increasing capacity at all venues and opening many shuttered entertainment and work destinations. Excited parents are preparing to send their children back to school full time, giving them the opportunity to return to their offices now that the hybrid homeschooling model comes to a close. Yet, even with this beacon of hope on the horizon, trends point to a continuation of the self-imposed restrictions that have become a way of life over the past year. Wollaston Development, a landscaping and masonry company, partnered with SDI Architecture to build outdoor conference rooms last year to assist offices in transitioning to work safely and efficiently outdoors. The two Boston-based companies have a front row seat to the changes that homeowners and business-
Rendering of an outdoor conference room
es are making to adapt to this return to normal, and they caution that even though people can go back to the office and enjoy a night on the town, many will continue to make their houses and properties their primary location for socialization, work
Millwork for Professionals Custom. Timely Delivery. Under Budget.
and entertainment. “With new mandates to get kids back to school, there is the thought that life will resume and parents will go back to the office, but that’s not necessarily the case,” said Ben Williams, owner
of SDI Architecture. “Both businesses and employees have made major, expensive renovations and they will not be abandoning these large investments. Work From Home will remain at the very least an option for many people in fields that allow for the choice. Businesses are well aware of the cost-saving benefits of employees working from home, with the office as a social space for meetings and group work. We are designing offices with less space for individual desks and more space for collaboration. Additionally, office footprints have shrunk as businesses anticipate much of their workforce to continue to work remotely.” According to NPR, more than 75% of homeowners did a home renovation project last year. Many homeowners have built home gyms, bars, lounge areas, work stations and updated their outdoor space to accommodate more aspects of life on one plot of land, often with a number of residents of varying ages. Popular outdoor modifications include eco-friendly patios, continued to page 18
Professional Services... Exceptional Results! Serving NH, MA & Northern New England since 1968
Landscape Architecture Design Projects
Exterior Millwork
Interior Millwork SUNRISE LABS PATIO SPACE ~ BEDFORD, NH
Custom Pergolas
Specialty Trim NBCU BOSTON MEDIA CENTER COURTYARD ~ NEEDHAM, MA
413-886-0142 :: www. trimboard.net www.high-profile.com
Voted BEST NH Engineering Fi 9 years runninrm g!
Contact: Robert Duval, PE, LEED AP–President or Michael Krzeminski, PLA–Landscape Architect TFMoran, Inc. Bedford, NH and Portsmouth, NH (603) 472-4488 www.t fmoran.com