The New Normal
An Exploration of Post-Pandemic Working Conditions and Their Lasting Effects on Cities
ABSTRACT The Covid-19 global pandemic in 2020, has tested companies to their limits. They have pursued new techniques in the industry through sending employees home for long periods of time. They have had to continue their everyday working lives at home during the pandemic. Overall efforts to create this new normal of working have been successful. The new normal of working from home will continue past the end of the pandemic, and will remain a new requirement in every working environment. Working from home has created more convenience, cost savings, and satisfaction for employees. Americans will permanently shift their jobs to inside their homes and we will see the city centers beginning to disperse. Office buildings will become vacant and families will be able to spend more time together. As the shift in culture continues America will see an increase in close knit communities because of social isolation from lack of workplace interaction. These communities will be formed through personal connection and focus on the prosperity of the community, instead of being based on company office location. Working from home is the new normal for employees across America and it will change the future outlook on work and home life.
Over the past decade America has seen an increase in the desire to work from home and since the beginning of the global pandemic in 2020 that has become a reality for many. Large office complexes and buildings in city centers will become unoccupied following a suburban sprawl and will no longer be needed. After the dispersal of the population away from city centers there will be a stronger desire for a sense of community and human interaction, which will result in the architectural redevelopment of these large urban complexes.
Present
Data and Research about the Pandemic
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
6,000,000 cars no longer commuting to work by the end of 2021 “By 2025,
“Employees around the globe are not at their desk 50% to 60% of the time!”
36.2 million Americans will be remote”
Stay in the Office
Desire to Work From Home or Hybrid Working From Home Each dark blue man represents 2% of the working population in 2018 Each light blue man represents 2% of the working population at the end of 2020
DURING
AFTER
Future
Urban Redevelopment Scheme
Multiplicity - John Wardle Architects Cities of the Future - SOM
Streets in the Sky - Safdie Architects
Eternal - Siconolfi Parkroyal - WOHA
SITE LOCATION
Entertainment Areas Stadiums Hotels Preforming Arts Retail / Shopping Local Boutique Shops Residential Zoned Apartment Complexes Condominiums Luxury and Low Income
Community Parks Smale Riverfront Park Sawyer Point Park Lytle Park Green Spaces Office Spaces Large High Rise Small Family Businesses Vacant Buildings Commercially Zoned
Restaurant / Dining Fountain Square Bars and Nightclubs The Banks
Public Parking Garages Multi-Level Large Structures
WIND AND SUN PATTERNS
BUS AND BIKE PATTERNS
GREEN ROOF DEVELOPMENT Parks, Fields, Tracks, Playgrounds, Gardens, Gathering Spaces WALKING SPACES Roof Top Decks, Balconies, Bridges, Skywalks GREEN SPACE Rain Gardens, Planting Beds, Street Barriers
SKYWALKS
ROOF REC
COURTYARDS
RAIN GARDENS
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
BIKE PATHS
ROOF GARDENS
GREEN ROOF COMMUNITY ROOM
OUTDOOR REC
GYM APARTMENTS
MECHANICAL
MECHANICAL
COMMUNITY ROOM
APARTMENTS
GARDEN
SCHOOL
MECHANICAL
APARTMENTS
COMMUNITY ROOM
RESTAURANT
PARKING
APARTMENTS SKYWALK
ROOF REC
COMMUNITY ROOM
DAYCARE
SCHOOL
RESTAURANT
GROCERY STORAGE
OFFICE PODS
APARTMENTS
RESTAURANT
COURTYARDS
COURTYARD
MARKET
PARKING MARKET STALLS
BIKE PATHS
ROOF GARDENS
Elevated Walkways Connecting communities Outdoor Spaces
New Green Facades Absorb Heat Reduce Carbon Dioxide
New Bike Lanes Reduced Personal Car Traffic Increased Public Transportation More Walkability
New Open Air Market Better Sight Lines More Community Spaces
Additional Green Spaces Rain Gardens Recycled Water Absorb Pollution and Heat
Extended Courtyard Spaces More Communal Gathering Areas
Additional Seating Options Multiple Seating Options Lunch Spaces
New Green Facades Absorb Heat Reduce Carbon Dioxide
Elevated Walkways Connecting communities Outdoor Spaces
New Bike Lanes Reduced Personal Car Traffic Increased Public Transportation More Walkability
Additional Green Spaces Rain Gardens Recycled Water Absorb Pollution and Heat
Additional Seating Options Multiple Seating Options Lunch Spaces
Extended Sidewalks Open Communal Markets Access into More Buildings
Thank You Comments and Questions?