When a pandemic hits, it’s no surprise that people’s way of life changes with it. You try to say farther away from other people, wear your mask out in public, and scrub your hands with hand sanitizer much more often. What might surprise many, however, is that a pandemic can impact the way buildings are designed. In the early 20th century, for example, tuberculosis inspired architects to design buildings with elements that could help people recover from it.

The new designs they incorporated, such as light-colored rooms and expansive windows across long walls, ended up becoming mainstays in architectural design as a whole, making up much of what we now recognize as modernist architecture. In the same way that tuberculosis inspired new architectural styles, COVID-19 will likely lead architects to develop new designs that could lead to major changes in the field.

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When renovating your building or planning for a new tenant build-out, there are some code issues you might want to keep in mind.

Most jurisdictions require a percentage of construction cost be allocated to upgrading the accessible route to the altered space. Many times this involves modifying the existing restroom facilities. Some ways to do this are:

1.  Adding grab bars to toilets stalls (vertical grabs are now required);

2.  Increasing stall size by reducing fixture count. Be careful to maintain an adequate fixture count to support occupant load; and

3.  In extreme cases it may be necessary to enlarge the restroom by moving the end wall and will affect adjacent areas.

Many times this requirement is overlooked and can lead to delays in building permit issuance and increase design costs. Let us know if you need any help planning for future projects.   Architect on staff!

Looking for that perfect employee gift this season? How about creating an enjoyable break room that will be used year-round.

Here is an example of space once confined by full height walls and only indoor lighting. Now, after adding frameless glass panels, it allows for natural daylight, as well as an open concept feel. A break room once used only for coffee cup refills, is now the center hub of the office.

Contact Shabbir Kazmi, AIA to discuss your break room needs.

Fitness centers are one of the fastest growing amenities in the residential and workspace market. As Americans of every age are becoming more and more health conscious, fighting against obesity or simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires a gym at home and/or work.  Therefore, when planning and designing a fitness center for your existing or new building, goals of the end-user should be considered and prioritized.

Here is our list of latest design considerations if you are planning to add a fitness center to your facility.

1. Understand the type of desired physical activity that suites your community: for example, does your community want cardio equipment more than weights or do they require instructional studio-type facility.
   
2. Understand local code requirements and have a professional perform code analysis and a feasibility study for your space/facility.
3. The growing trend and appreciation is towards flexible space that can be tailored to any type of exercise activity such as stretching, yoga or pilates.
4. End-users enjoy natural daylight during the work out; therefore,  if the space allows, fitness center should be located near the window façade of the building.
5.  Entrance to the fitness center should be well marked with signage and preferably with glass doors and windows.
6. Ceilings are a big area for cost savings. Often finish ceilings are not installed in the fitness center, painting the existing structure is all that is needed.
7. LED light fixtures and simple ceiling fans are desirable and readily available at any hardware store.
   
8. The growing market is towards less equipment and more open space.  A gym equipment company which offers both buying and leasing options should be consulted. Make sure to incorporate WIFI and TV connectivity to the gym equipment.
9. Walls of the fitness center should be painted with light and vibrant colors that reflect daylight into the room.
10. Floor of the fitness center should be rubber mats strong enough to support heavy traffic and exercise equipment. Rubber floors are available in rolls and tiles with a variety of colors and textures.
11. Add a self-service water coolers or cold drink vending machines area. Water fountains should be strategically placed and handicap accessible.

A glass canopy is an attractive and practical way to enhance your building entrance while also providing added curb appeal. Known as overhead glazing, an entrance glass canopy can keep the weather away and bring natural light inside the building. Here are some suggestions, if you are thinking about dressing up your building entrance with a new glass canopy.

1. Keep the design of the glass canopy simple. Integrating with address, signage or building name are excellent ways to provide  brand identity and marketing; but remember less is more when it comes to first impressions.
2. Several factors such as weight, supports, size, wind load and location affect the selection of glass and steel supports. Glass should be high-strength tempered/laminate glass and its thickness should be specified by a professional engineer.
3. Frame-less glass and minimal steel supports are attractive available design options. However, glass canopies are custom design projects.  Always seek consultation services from a professional engineer who will review shop drawings, as well as assist in finding qualified contractors who have the expertise and experience to install a glass canopy.
4. Specify proper slope for water drainage; our recommendation is 15% slope, although every situation should be carefully evaluated. 15% slope provides quick water drainage and glass should not deflect over time.
5. Consider having a patterned glass to avoid having dust and water stains.
6. Plan for gutter and downspouts. Pay close attention to ice and snow build-up and institute a maintenance program which is crucial for longer life expectancy of the canopy.