6 must reads for the AEC industry today: July 27, 2020

1. Customized labs give universities a recruiting edge (BD+C) 
"When Andrew Labov began his career with CO Architects in 1987, it wasn’t all that rare for universities to customize their labs for specific users. But over the years the cost of construction and renovation became prohibitive, so universities made their lab spaces as flexible as possible."

2. A hybrid learning approach could redefine higher education (BD+C) 
"Chris Purdy, AIA, LEED AP, Vice President and Higher Education Practice Director for SmithGroup, anticipates a “widespread acceptance” of the hybrid learning format. He adds that campus de-densification will require rapid, data-driven strategic planning. Erin Joseph Machau, Jacobs’ Higher Education Market Leader, sees these trends inevitably leading toward more modular and flexible design."

3. Putting 'home' at the heart of affordable housing (GBBN) 
"Home is a powerful thing. It’s the place that forms you, a guiding set of relationships, memories, and experiences that, for better or worse, make you who you are. Home is also essential to developing our potential. Without a stable home, we have little prospect to be educated, advance in meaningful work, and nurture our loved ones."

4. The U.S. construction pipeline remains robust through the first half of 2020, despite pandemic (Lodging Econometrics) 
"Projects currently under construction stand at 1,771 projects/235,467 rooms, up 3% and 1% respectively, YOY."

5. Occupancy in Senior Housing Hits 15-Year Low on Pandemic Fears (Bloomberg via National Real Estate Investor)
"In the second quarter, occupancy at independent living and assisted living facilities declined by 2.8 percent."

6. Post-COVID-19, Could This Be the Next Hot CRE Asset? (Commercial Property Executive)
"Though many are working from home now because of stay-at-home orders, eventually there will be a return to offices—and people want to be safe getting there."