How Architects are Facing the Work Challenges of Coronavirus
Architects are adapting their work practices to collaborate remotely and with clients for their residential projects
Coronavirus is undoubtedly impacting people’s lives. While the uncertain situation is changing daily, architecture practices are responding accordingly. We spoke to three architects about how they are adapting their work practices to the current challenges of the Covid-19 outbreak and how they are preparing for the future.
Barnes has experience working remotely having moved to Bali with his wife in 2017 for a three-month stint. The experience taught Barnes the importance of having good systems in place and how valuable technology is for collaboration.
The team use the Slack app to communicate, ask questions and share work, and will meet together on a weekly basis until circumstances change, either way. Everyone must regularly assess and prioritise their health and notify the team if anything changes. This is standard practice across all architecture firms no matter the time or situation.
The team use the Slack app to communicate, ask questions and share work, and will meet together on a weekly basis until circumstances change, either way. Everyone must regularly assess and prioritise their health and notify the team if anything changes. This is standard practice across all architecture firms no matter the time or situation.
The Field Office Architecture team is now having meetings with clients over the phone. And its builders remain optimistic that they will be able to continue work, give the physical nature of construction and open-air environment.
“We are fortunate that our projects extend over a long time, which can help us weather the situation,” says Barnes. If projects are delayed, it will be time well spent preparing other projects so they’re ready to go once circumstances become more positive.
“We are fortunate that our projects extend over a long time, which can help us weather the situation,” says Barnes. If projects are delayed, it will be time well spent preparing other projects so they’re ready to go once circumstances become more positive.
Rebecca Naughtin Architect
Rebecca Naughtin already works remotely from her team. She is based on Phillip Island while her studio is in Northcote, Melbourne. Until recently, Naughtin would spend a day a week in the studio or with clients having face-to-face meetings. When on Phillip Island, Naughtin has meetings with clients using online video conferencing software ZOOM, which will now be the norm for the foreseeable future.
Naughtin’s three employees are now working from the home and office on a rotating roster – two weeks at home, two weeks in the office – so that if symptoms appear there is reduced risk of cross contamination. This is also because the team like being in the studio, they enjoy the company and camaraderie of working together.
Rebecca Naughtin already works remotely from her team. She is based on Phillip Island while her studio is in Northcote, Melbourne. Until recently, Naughtin would spend a day a week in the studio or with clients having face-to-face meetings. When on Phillip Island, Naughtin has meetings with clients using online video conferencing software ZOOM, which will now be the norm for the foreseeable future.
Naughtin’s three employees are now working from the home and office on a rotating roster – two weeks at home, two weeks in the office – so that if symptoms appear there is reduced risk of cross contamination. This is also because the team like being in the studio, they enjoy the company and camaraderie of working together.
Naughtin anticipates delays on construction sites. The builders she works with have their own policies in place, including only one trade on site at a time, or two if they are in remote parts of the site. “We’re lucky in the residential sector. Our clients are also now working from home and are realistic about the situation,” says Naughtin. She also expects some projects or contracts to be deferred until the end of June due to uncertainty in the market.
Other delays or changes to designs may be caused by scarcity of materials, particularly those imported from Europe. “We have been warned that materials from Europe may not come at all, so we need to be more considerate of what we’re using,” says Naughtin.
Other delays or changes to designs may be caused by scarcity of materials, particularly those imported from Europe. “We have been warned that materials from Europe may not come at all, so we need to be more considerate of what we’re using,” says Naughtin.
There is a silver lining for Naughtin: “It makes us realise that we need more flexible working arrangements. Life is short. We should spend more time with people we love and pursuing things outside of the profession”, she says.
Image by Brett Boardman
Carter Williamson Architects
Carter Williamson Architects is a 12-person studio in Sydney. Four team members worked from home last week in self-imposed isolation, which also served as a practice run for working remotely since everyone is now based at home and will be for the foreseeable future.
The team is using ZOOM to have meetings with each other and with clients. “We’re going to have a ZOOM meeting in the morning and after lunch to check in and keep connected,” says principal architect Shaun Carter. “It’s remarkably easy and working remotely is forcing us to use the technology that’s been around a while.”
Carter Williamson Architects
Carter Williamson Architects is a 12-person studio in Sydney. Four team members worked from home last week in self-imposed isolation, which also served as a practice run for working remotely since everyone is now based at home and will be for the foreseeable future.
The team is using ZOOM to have meetings with each other and with clients. “We’re going to have a ZOOM meeting in the morning and after lunch to check in and keep connected,” says principal architect Shaun Carter. “It’s remarkably easy and working remotely is forcing us to use the technology that’s been around a while.”
Carter is on the jury for the AIA NSW Architecture Awards, which is also making use of ZOOM, with presenters and jurors utilising the conferencing software as necessary.
While there is industry concern that coronavirus will affect architecture and construction projects, Carter is also seeing people wanting to get started on projects while they have more time. “I hope people embrace that attitude because it will keep firms like ours in business nicely,” says Carter.
Industry bodies
ArchiTeam has issued a pandemic policy template to its members that they can adapt to their own studio requirements. Prepared by Warwick Mihaly, principal architect at Mihaly Slocombe and director of members services at ArchiTeam, the policy addresses hygiene, travel, meetings, illness and studio closures, and is informed by government recommendations. (It also includes at-home attire: “business pyjamas.")
The Association of Consulting Architects Australia and the Australian Institute of Architects are publishing online resources relating to Covid-19. The Australian Association of Consulting Architects also conducted a member survey to ascertain how it can best support its members during this time and into the future.
Your turn
How will you adapt your business to changing market conditions in the coming months? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, follow these design professionals on Houzz, and join the conversation.
More
Interested to hear more insights from fellow professionals? Don’t miss last month’s Open Book: 3 Architects’ Advice… That They Didn’t Learn at Uni
ArchiTeam has issued a pandemic policy template to its members that they can adapt to their own studio requirements. Prepared by Warwick Mihaly, principal architect at Mihaly Slocombe and director of members services at ArchiTeam, the policy addresses hygiene, travel, meetings, illness and studio closures, and is informed by government recommendations. (It also includes at-home attire: “business pyjamas.")
The Association of Consulting Architects Australia and the Australian Institute of Architects are publishing online resources relating to Covid-19. The Australian Association of Consulting Architects also conducted a member survey to ascertain how it can best support its members during this time and into the future.
Your turn
How will you adapt your business to changing market conditions in the coming months? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, follow these design professionals on Houzz, and join the conversation.
More
Interested to hear more insights from fellow professionals? Don’t miss last month’s Open Book: 3 Architects’ Advice… That They Didn’t Learn at Uni
Chris Barnes is the principal of Field Office Architecture, a four-person team based in a studio in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
The team began working from home this week. “We’re fortunate to be a small, nimble team with experience and systems in place for remote work, and while we are very concerned about the events around us, nothing will change as far as our work is concerned,” says Barnes.