Building Construction Trends In a Post-Pandemic World
The novel coronavirus pandemic shook up the real estate industry. Suddenly, thousands of businesses found themselves with unused space, and the decision to either maintain it, downsize or re-think their floor plans and room usage. These effects carried over to new construction, as well. Now, several building trends are emerging that could change the shape of commercial and industrial spaces to come.
1. Everything old is new again.
A lot of businesses were forced to either close their doors or relocate to smaller, less expensive locations. As a result, there are many empty structures on the market. This comes on the heels of a general trend away from facilities like malls and department stores. Some "new" construction won't be new at all -- instead, developers and builders are working to re-purpose old buildings. Malls, in particular, are ripe for turning into mixed-use developments that encompass residential, retail, and office space. One-level strip malls may have residential or office space built above them. This helps ensure that these empty buildings get used again, saves money on construction, and is often a greener alternative to a new build.
2. Prefabrication is having a moment.
As modularization and prefabrication technology continues to improve, builders are recognizing their potential. Making walls, panels, and other components offsite, then assembling them into a finished building is increasing in popularity. Part of their appeal right now has to do with safety. With a shortage of skilled workers and restrictions preventing managers from dedicating a lot of workers to their projects, there's a lot to be said for the time- and labor-saving aspects of offsite prefabrication. It's safer, faster, and more cost-effective.
3. Supply chains are reimagined.
COVID-19's impact on supply chains can't be overstated. As shipments were delayed, businesses were subjected to lockdowns, and some companies went out of business entirely, manufacturers around the world had to realize just how dependent they had become on the easy availability of goods from around the world. As a result, they had to scramble to try to find suppliers and hope that their usual sources would still be there when the dust settled. Now, contractors are developing more agile supply chains, with an emphasis on local suppliers. New chains are evolving based on data, and businesses are working to forge direct, collaborative relationships with their subcontractors.
4. Climate control is changing.
Before, part of our image of sustainability involved buildings that were sealed uptight. Outdoor air was almost an enemy, causing HVAC systems to burn power to heat, cool, and filter it. Unfortunately, this created a situation that was almost ideal for spreading respiratory viruses. As a result, builders are seeing the importance of good ventilation and filtration, even to the point of incorporating ionizing sanitizers in HVAC units and ductwork. New technology has emerged for allowing buildings to take in outdoor air, but still maintain comfortable temperatures and humidity levels. Part of our idea of sustainability is expanding to include buildings that freely exchange air with the outdoors.
5. Augmented reality and digital collaboration are expanding.
Part of the lockdown restrictions in many areas made collaboration complicated. Three-dimensional modeling software has existed for decades, but it was still a challenge for teams to work together remotely. Augmented reality and new modeling software are changing all of that. Engineers can view a variety of models and simulations, make tweaks to existing plans, and work together from anywhere with a secure wifi connection. As a result, builders are seeing the need for increased cybersecurity. Working from home is risky enough, as employers have no control over an employee's personal internet connection. With the increased importance of digital collaboration, companies are investing heavily in more robust security measures.
6. "Smart buildings" are growing worldwide.
Futuristic smart cities outfitted with all kinds of tech tools sound like something that might get put on the back burner in the midst of a pandemic, but the opposite proved to be true. As businesses were forced to either operate remotely or develop ways of securing their campuses against the coronavirus, they found that, in many cases, they had to upgrade their technology. In some cities, building vestibules with temperature sensors and secure entries became the norm. Now, more new buildings are incorporating high-tech sensors as a matter of course, for everything from surface sanitization, to secure entries, to ventilation. While the coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on real estate and construction, they're learning to adapt and grow to fill the new niches it's created. As a result, these trends are gaining popularity as builders work to accommodate the changing ways people live and do business.
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