This week on The Weekly, BD+C editors spoke with leaders from WSP USA, Perkins Eastman, and Little Diversified Architectural Consulting on three important topics:
• The COVID-19 crisis in nursing homes, and how design can make a difference
• Why and how the commercial construction industry can help drive the U.S. economic recovery
• How school districts are preparing for "back to school" and making long-term changes to school design and operations to promote infection control.
SEGMENT 1: Why and how the commercial construction industry can help drive the U.S. economic recovery, with Lou Cornell, CEO, WSP USA
"I think we can certainly help the economy get back on its feet by doing what we do best. It's about building infrastructure that generates jobs, and makes life better for those that use it everyday. I think engineers will play a vital role in reigniting the economy."
- Lou Cornell, CEO, WSP USA
SEGMENT 2: The COVID-19 crisis in nursing homes, and how design can make a difference, with Bradford Perkins, FAIA, Founding Partner, and Martin Siefering, AIA, Principal, Perkins Eastman
"Even in progressive states, code minimum—which was basically interpreted by the developers back then as the maximum—it's 80 square feet per person, in a semi-private room. Obviously, that, plus nursing units of 40 to 60 residents, means that social distancing, isolation—those things are absolutely impossible."
- Bradford Perkins, FAIA, Founding Partner, Perkins Eastman
SEGMENT 3: How school districts are preparing for "back to school" and making long-term changes to school design to promote infection control, with Shana Hetherington, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Project Architect, Project Manager, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
"How are schools going to be ready? It's a challenge. How do you social distance on a bus? How do you social distance kids coming into schools and in crowded hallways? Classrooms that typically can fit around 22 kids, when you space desks six feet apart, that cuts [the capacity] in half."
- Shana Hetherington, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Project Architect, Project Manager, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
WATCH ‘THE WEEKLY’ EVERY THURSDAY AT 1 PM EASTERN
“The Weekly” is a presentation of Horizon TV, the online broadcast arm of SGC Horizon LLC, publishers of Building Design+Construction, Multifamily Design+Construction, Professional Builder, ProRemodeler, and Construction Equipment.
Related Stories
MFPRO+ New Projects | Nov 21, 2023
An 'eco-obsessed' multifamily housing project takes advantage of downtown Austin’s small lots
In downtown Austin, Tex., architecture firm McKinney York says it built Capitol Quarters to be “eco-obsessed, not just eco-minded.” With airtight walls, better insulation, and super-efficient VRF (variable refrigerant flow) systems, Capitol Quarters uses 30% less energy than other living spaces in Austin, according to a statement from McKinney York.
MFPRO+ News | Nov 21, 2023
California building electrification laws could prompt more evictions and rent increases
California laws requiring apartment owners to ditch appliances that use fossil fuels could prompt more evictions and rent increases in the state, according to a report from the nonprofit Strategic Actions for a Just Economy. The law could spur more evictions if landlords undertake major renovations to comply with the electrification rule.
Codes and Standards | Nov 21, 2023
Austin becomes largest U.S. city to waive minimum parking requirements
Austin, Texas recently became the largest city in the United States to stop requiring new developments to set a minimum amount of parking. The Austin City Council voted 8-2 earlier this month to eliminate parking requirements in an effort to fight climate change and spur more housing construction as Texas’s capitol grapples with a housing affordability crisis.
MFPRO+ News | Nov 21, 2023
Underused strip malls offer great potential for conversions to residential use
Replacing moribund strip malls with multifamily housing could make a notable dent in the housing shortage and revitalize under-used properties across the country, according to a report from housing nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners.
Giants 400 | Nov 16, 2023
Top 100 Science + Technology Facility Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, HDR, Page Southerland Page, Flad Architects, and DGA top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest science and technology (S+T) facility architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking factors revenue from all science and technology (S+T) buildings work, including laboratories, research buildings, technology/innovation buildings, pharmaceutical production facilities, and semiconductor production facilities.
Resiliency | Nov 16, 2023
How inclusive design supports resilience and climate preparedness
Gail Napell, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, shares five tips and examples of inclusive design across a variety of building sectors.
Retail Centers | Nov 15, 2023
Should retail developers avoid high crime areas?
For retailers resolute to operating in high crime areas, design elements exist to mitigate losses and potentially deter criminal behavior.
MFPRO+ News | Nov 15, 2023
Average U.S multifamily rents drop $3 to $1,718 in October 2023: Yardi Matrix
Multifamily fundamentals continued to soften and impact rents last month, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Multifamily Report. The average U.S. asking rent dropped $3 to $1,718 in October, with year-over-year growth moderating to 0.4%, down 40 basis points from September. Occupancy slid to 94.9%, marking the first decline in four months.
MFPRO+ Special Reports | Nov 14, 2023
Register today! Key trends in the multifamily housing market for 2024 - BD+C Live Webinar
Join the BD+C and Multifamily Pro+ editorial team for this live webinar on key trends and innovations in the $110 billion U.S. multifamily housing market. A trio of multifamily design and construction experts will present their latest projects, trends, innovations, and data/research on the three primary multifamily sub-sectors: rental housing, senior living, and student housing.
Giants 400 | Nov 14, 2023
Top 90 Justice Facility Architecture Firms for 2023
DLR Group, Stantec, HDR, HOK, and Elevatus Architecture top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest justice facility architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue from all public safety/justice facilities buildings work, including correctional facilities, fire stations, jails, police stations, and prisons.
