Shelby Leshnak | The New Normal

The New Normal

An Exploration of Post-Pandemic Working Conditions and Their Lasting Effects on Cities

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 global pandemic in 2020, has tested companies to their limits. They have pursued new techniques in the industry through sending employees home for long periods of time. They have had to continue their everyday working lives at home during the pandemic. Overall efforts to create this new normal of working have been successful.

The new normal of working from home will continue past the end of the pandemic, and will remain a new requirement in every working environment. Working from home has created more convenience, cost savings, and satisfaction for employees. Americans will permanently shift their jobs to inside their homes and we will see the city centers beginning to disperse.

Office buildings will become vacant and families will be able to spend more time together. As the shift in culture continues America will see an increase in close knit communities because of social isolation from lack of workplace interaction. These communities will be formed through personal connection and focus on the prosperity of the community, instead of being based on company office location.

Working from home is the new normal for employees across America and it will change the future outlook on work and home life.

Over the past decade America has seen an increase in the desire to work from home and since the beginning of the global pandemic in 2020 that has become a reality for many.

Large office complexes and buildings in city centers will become unoccupied following a suburban sprawl and will no longer be needed. After the dispersal of the population away from city centers there will be a stronger desire for a sense of community and human interaction, which will result in the architectural redevelopment of these large urban complexes.

Present

Data and Research about the Pandemic

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

6,000,000 cars no longer commuting to work by the end of 2021 “By 2025,

“Employees around the globe are not at their desk 50% to 60% of the time!”

36.2 million Americans will be remote”

Stay in the Office

Desire to Work From Home or Hybrid Working From Home Each dark blue man represents 2% of the working population in 2018 Each light blue man represents 2% of the working population at the end of 2020

DURING

AFTER

Future

Urban Redevelopment Scheme

Multiplicity - John Wardle Architects Cities of the Future - SOM

Streets in the Sky - Safdie Architects

Eternal - Siconolfi Parkroyal - WOHA

SITE LOCATION

Entertainment Areas Stadiums Hotels

Preforming Arts Retail / Shopping

Local Boutique Shops Residential Zoned

Apartment Complexes Condominiums

Luxury and Low Income

Community Parks

Smale Riverfront Park

Sawyer Point Park

Lytle Park Green Spaces Office Spaces

Large High Rise

Small Family Businesses Vacant Buildings Commercially Zoned

Restaurant / Dining

Fountain Square Bars and Nightclubs

The Banks

Public Parking Garages Multi-Level

Large Structures

WIND AND SUN PATTERNS

BUS AND BIKE PATTERNS

GREEN ROOF DEVELOPMENT

Parks, Fields, Tracks,

Playgrounds, Gardens,

Gathering Spaces WALKING SPACES

Roof Top Decks,

Balconies, Bridges, Skywalks GREEN SPACE

Rain Gardens,

Planting Beds,

Street Barriers

SKYWALKS

ROOF REC

COURTYARDS

RAIN GARDENS

REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

BIKE PATHS

ROOF GARDENS

GREEN ROOF COMMUNITY ROOM

OUTDOOR REC

GYM APARTMENTS

MECHANICAL

MECHANICAL

COMMUNITY ROOM

APARTMENTS

GARDEN

SCHOOL

MECHANICAL

APARTMENTS

COMMUNITY ROOM

RESTAURANT

PARKING

APARTMENTS SKYWALK

ROOF REC

COMMUNITY ROOM

DAYCARE

SCHOOL

RESTAURANT

GROCERY STORAGE

OFFICE PODS

APARTMENTS

RESTAURANT

COURTYARDS

COURTYARD

MARKET

PARKING MARKET STALLS

BIKE PATHS

ROOF GARDENS

Elevated Walkways Connecting communities Outdoor Spaces

New Green Facades Absorb Heat Reduce Carbon Dioxide

New Bike Lanes Reduced Personal Car Traffic Increased Public Transportation More Walkability

New Open Air Market Better Sight Lines More Community Spaces

Additional Green Spaces Rain Gardens Recycled Water Absorb Pollution and Heat

Extended Courtyard Spaces More Communal Gathering Areas

Additional Seating Options Multiple Seating Options Lunch Spaces

New Green Facades Absorb Heat Reduce Carbon Dioxide

Elevated Walkways Connecting communities Outdoor Spaces

New Bike Lanes Reduced Personal Car Traffic Increased Public Transportation More Walkability

Additional Green Spaces Rain Gardens Recycled Water Absorb Pollution and Heat

Additional Seating Options Multiple Seating Options Lunch Spaces

Extended Sidewalks Open Communal Markets Access into More Buildings

Thank You Comments and Questions?