Today, more stringent steps to avoid the spread of the virus have been implemented, including mandating shelter-in-place orders and requiring the closure of any company deemed non-essential. We will discuss how the coronavirus affects daily life as architects and designers because of the quarantine and isolation politics enforced by the authorities around the globe.
Work From Home and Communication
To many, the failure to communicate with colleagues to casual interactions is one of the key obstacles of having to operate from home. The notion of being isolated for an unknown period of time, combined with the general feeling of uncertainty, has resulted in a number of disturbances to the normal routine, requiring an external contact layer. Video and phone calls, social networks, and other tools of technology have helped to build cohesion between team members. Another frequently discussed subject was the ability to access the data and digital sketches, combined with cloud storage and private networks. However, the slowness and unstable of internet connectivity as a significant drawback to operating from home, resulting in more time spent by designers than normal.
Discipline to Work From Home
One of the biggest difficulties of architect who have made the transition to working at home is the difficulty of managing their normal speed of work and having the discipline to concentrate on everyday tasks. Distractions caused by other family members who often face quarantine lock-down rules, pets, sounds and noises, and domestic activities have been cited as some of the key obstacles to work from home. The shortage of work-only spaces has prompted some of the architects and engineers to improvise small offices in their living rooms or bedrooms which contributing to the inefficiencies of having to work from home.
Economic Recession
The fear of facing a possible economic crisis was among the people worries. Projects which have already begun design and construction phases are being closely monitored, and some architects are seeing clients hesitating to sign contracts and award further work. The fear of this imminent crisis and its tremendously direct effect on the needs of architects and other practitioners in architecture around the world.
The Project Continuity
Although for many architects and designers a home office may be a temporary solution, it works only to some degree. Many countries have found construction services necessary during this quarantine, which means sites are still being constructed, even though architects are forced to stay home. The amount of on-site meetings and collaboration that historically exists through face-to-face social interactions needs to find a new way to continue completing projects successfully.
Summary
We hope the covid-19 outbreak can be overcome soonest possible. Even-thought the recovery to the normal routine might sounds impossible as the world is now relying on the technologies and cloud solutions more and more, but nevertheless we hope the industry can recover down the road when everything is over. First come first, let’s pray for the world to flatten the curve and manage to control the situation soonest possible. The short term pain is for long term gain. And i believe the architecture and engineering industry will rise and recover in time after the outbreak.
