Practice Management Member Conversations

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  • 1.  Friday Free Thoughts

    Posted 05-05-2023 07:01 PM

    Greetings! I love to sit awake after a 48-hour deadline push and wonder about things. Turns out, this is another one of those days. This time I'd love to hear from the community the thoughts on some of these questions. 

    1. How will architecture firms adapt to the post-COVID era where remote work and virtual communication have become the norm?
     
    2. With the growing trend towards sustainability and green buildings, how will architecture firms incorporate these principles into their designs and remain competitive in the market?
     
    3. How will the rise of 3D printing and other emerging technologies change the way architecture firms design and construct buildings?
     
    4. As more and more people choose to live in urban areas, how will architecture firms address the challenge of creating affordable and sustainable housing in cities?
     
    5. With the increasing popularity of shared workspaces and flexible office arrangements, how will architecture firms design office buildings to accommodate these new trends?

    Thanks!


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    Michael Perez AIA
    Design West Architects
    Magna UT
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  • 2.  RE: Friday Free Thoughts

    Posted 05-09-2023 07:29 AM

    Hi, Michael.

    Enjoying your regular posts. I just reviewed an upcoming article for PM Digest that addresses question 2 and have one in the works for question 3 (so I won't preempt those authors!), but I'll share thoughts on a few of the others. 

    As for post-COVID era work environments, some firms I work with are still balancing remote time with mandatory in-office days. Typically, this means in-office Tuesday through Thursday. Though when client meetings require it, all bets are off on remote days. Many firms are, however, are trying to get their teams back to the office or requiring it. While technology--and the universal use of remote collaboration platforms--has made virtual practice more of a norm, many firm leaders see the interpersonal creative engine integral to doing their best work. Much depends on the type of work a firm takes on and the size of the firm. I'm interested in hearing others share their experiences.

    One trend hitting architects who have focused on the speculative office market is increased demand for the inclusion of residential or hotel programs (in addition to the mixed-use retail/restaurant/public space model that became the norm before COVID). I'd even read that some spec office projects were being reconfigured to create apartments (question 4). A range of rumination exists on this topic from skeptical (https://bit.ly/3HRZkIO) to productive (https://bit.ly/41jYone) and encouraging (https://bit.ly/42joisS). The phenomenon is not new, of course, I live in a city where many early twentieth century buildings have already been converted into residential units at varying price points. As above, hearing from others facing these challenges and transformations in their practice models would be great to hear.

    Thanks again for sending out your thoughts and questions. You keep us pondering!



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    Rebecca W.E. Edmunds AIA
    President, Communicate Design
    Roanoke VA
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