by Stephen Taylor, Principal and Founding Partner

We are all eager to get back to work and social connections after what has been an increasingly strange first half to 2020 – but the truth is that whatever comes next will not be what we’re used to. Across the globe, all industries are looking to carve out what their ‘new normal’ looks like.

Luckily, VAKOTA was already forging ahead with agile and remote working, so we were able to respond well to the sudden and drastic changes earlier this year – but I am looking toward the future, learning from the past few months, and what it holds for us here at VAKOTA.

We have already shared some details on how we’ve changed our ways of working in order to continue our productivity from a distance, where needed. But now I am looking even deeper into how the core of our work may change – and what our plans are to deal with it. These past few month have reinvigorated our commitment to sustainable design and protecting the environment for future generations.

A new approach to sanitary design

One of the most prominent changes to our day-to-day work will be how we consider virus transmission within all of our designs, particularly when it comes to public spaces. A key prediction among the architecture industry is that public spaces will be moving towards automation and removing the need for touch. I have already seen COVID-19 speeding up development of a plethora of touchless technology – from automatic doors and lights, to hands-free temperature controls, voice activated elevators and cell phone-controlled room entry.

At larger venues that cater for bigger crowds, we can also expect to see entry screening, such as temperature checks, or even disinfection of members of the public and their belongings. Packages and non-porous items can carry pathogens with them – something which could potentially be addressed with ultra-violet rays or ionizers, installed into closets or cloakrooms as well as purpose built ‘package rooms’. Temporary walls may need to be installed to reduce room occupancy sizes. or well-designed partitions designed to increase social distancing in an elegant way.

Certain construction elements that we see in standard health care design may find application in other public spaces. For example, we may see more venues reducing the number of flat surfaces on which germs can sit, and installing ventilation systems that allow for removing potentially contaminated air from any given area.

There are already a number of antibacterial finishes and fabrics in circulation – and I would assume the development of those will multiply significantly in the near future, while we see a serious uptake in its implementation into designs.

Residential projects

One effect we have seen as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic is many city residents picking up and relocating to more rural, potentially safer, environments. We have seen a pickup in residential purchases in rural suburbs, such as Greenwich. As a result, we expect to see an uptick in residential projects at VAKOTA!

Our urban clients are looking to become more sustainable and self-sufficient. This is helpful to reduce the spread of viruses but also has a positive effect on the environment. Some our recent projects are planning for solar roof panels with roof gardens, natural cooling that will also allow for more air movement, and light automation which will reduce energy use.

With such a large number of organizations turning to agile and remote working, it is very possible that we will be asked to redesign homes to accommodate for a home-work station, for example. We have already worked on some beautiful country house projects this year, and we expect this to continue throughout 2020.

I am grateful that VAKOTA has been so quick – and adequately equipped – to respond to this crisis, and while it may be a lot of hard work to find it, I am excited to find just what ‘normal’ holds for us now and in the future.