The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is releasing a new Re-occupancy Assessment Tool today that provides strategies for limiting exposure to COVID-19 in buildings.
"Design is a response to the conditions, needs and functions of our society,” said AIA 2020 President Jane Frederick, FAIA. “This may be the most pivotal and defining moment in our lifetime for design. Architects are needed in this crisis to help safely transition our communities back to offices, schools and the many other places that are important in shaping our daily lives.”
AIA’s Disaster Assistance Committee developed the Re-occupancy Assessment Tool to provide public officials, businesses and architects with practices that protect the health, safety and welfare of the public while businesses, stores, restaurants, etc., reopen. The tool provides a framework of strategies and general mitigation measures that can help reduce exposure to COVID-19.
Using credible science, a multi-disciplinary team of architects, public health experts, engineers, product designers, and facility managers will evaluate behavioral, spatial, material and operational strategies to customize the tool for a variety of building types, including:
• offices;
• schools (K-12);
• multi-unit dwellings;
• retail establishments, restaurants; and
• senior care facilities.
Findings will be released in phases as they become available, with a priority focused on strategies that address immediate needs. Long-term strategies will also be developed for making buildings more resilient in the face of pandemics, natural hazards, climate change and other risks.
Visit AIA’s website for more COVID-19 resources for architects.
Related Stories
Coronavirus | Jun 30, 2020
The great reset and our new work life
As many countries begin to return to the office, it’s a chance to ask ourselves: what do we truly value?
Coronavirus | Jun 26, 2020
Infection control in buildings in the age of the coronavirus
Controlling future infection spreads could become job one for most buildings and spaces.
Coronavirus | Jun 26, 2020
ICYMI The Weekly show: The hotel sector's 'competition for cleanliness' and workplace design amid COVID-19
This week on The Weekly (June 25 episode), BD+C editors spoke with leaders from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Henderson Engineers, and Shawmut Design & Construction on three timely topics.
Coronavirus | Jun 23, 2020
A look back at design standard shifts: ADA vs. COVID-19
The short story is official design guidelines are slow to be developed and made into law.
Coronavirus | Jun 23, 2020
WATG designs solution for isolating without sacrificing social connectivity
The design was inspired by oriel bay windows.
Coronavirus | Jun 22, 2020
Boldt creates an innovation task force to speed up safe opening of jobsites, 14 offices
Boldt creates an innovation task force to speed up safe opening of jobsites, 14 offices
Coronavirus | Jun 19, 2020
Experts address COVID-19's impact on nursing homes and schools on The Weekly
The June 18 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Coronavirus | Jun 18, 2020
Brown University tops off first housing building in three decades
The facility, scheduled for completion next April, will combine a residence hall with student health services.
Coronavirus | Jun 17, 2020
HOK and Germfree partner to design mobile COVID-19 testing lab
Access to quick, reliable, and repeated testing has been one of the greatest challenges for businesses, institutions and individuals during the COVID-19 crisis.
Coronavirus | Jun 17, 2020
Guiding changes in the workplace: Past, present, and future
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are managing sudden change as they assess the impact on workplace design and how people use spaces.
