A New Normal

by Marcy Marro | May 1, 2020 12:00 am

In the last few weeks, we’ve all had to figure out a new normal for both our family lives and our work lives. For most, that includes working from home while trying to help the children with their e-learning schedules. It also means figuring out how to connect with family members and clients you can’t visit over the computer. From virtual meetings and industry trade events to virtual book clubs and happy hours, drive-by birthday parties and community-wide sing alongs to show support for those on the front line, we are finding ways to still meet up and connect with others.

One of the things I’m finding most inspiring is seeing how people and companies are thinking outside of the box to help out where it’s needed. People across the nation are sewing face masks during their free time. Architecture firms and universities are using their 3-D printers to help make personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers. Manufacturers and fabricators are making aluminum nose strips for face masks.

People and companies are pivoting and finding a way to make the best out of a difficult situation, and seeing the creative ways they are finding to uplift and show love to those around them is truly inspiring.

Unfortunately, even with all of the good that still exists in the world, the economy is suffering from the current stay-at-home orders in place. While many states are starting to lift and slowly adjust their individual orders, it is going to be a long time before things go back to the way things were even a few months ago, if even at all.

The most recent Architecture Billings Index from the American institute of Architects notes a decrease in design services by architecture firms for the month of March. During the month, both the new project inquiries and the design contract scores dropped dramatically, which isn’t a surprise given our current situation. While most architecture firms were able to make a quick transition to operating remotely, AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, Ph.D., notes the complete shutdown of business activity is severely impacting architects. “The dramatic pullback in new and ongoing design projects reflects just how quickly and fundamentally business conditions have changed across the country and around the world in the last month as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

While businesses across the board are figuring out how to work while keeping their employees safe, there is a bit of optimism for the future starting to show. Our sister publication, Metal Construction News[1], has conducted two Coronavirus Impact Surveys[2] over the last month. The first one went from March 30 to April 2, and the second ran from April 13-16. Over the course of those few weeks, the respondents, made up of a combination of contractors, engineers, architects and manufacturers, shared a significant change in attitudes toward the threat of the coronavirus itself and of its economic impacts. In late March, 58.4% of respondents said they thought the coronavirus was very dangerous. Two weeks later, that had dropped to 44.8%. And the number of people who thought it wasn’t dangerous at all grew from 6.6% to 12%. In regards to the economy, the number of respondents who were very worried about the impact of the coronavirus decreased from 62.9% to 55.4%, while those who were neutral, not very worried or not at all worried, held steady.

We are also keeping tabs on all coronavirus related news, which can be found at www.metalarchitecture.com/coronavirus-news[3]. And be sure to check out our event page at www.metalarchitecture.com/ma-industry-events[4]. to keep up-to-date on whether upcoming events are being cancelled, postponed or have gone virtual.

While it feels like a lot has changed over the last few weeks, we are finding ways to connect and stay together, even when we can’t. Keep doing what you can to find a way to work and connect during this new normal, and we’ll see everyone when it’s safe to do so.

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/blog/a-new-normal/

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