• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Architecture & Design (A&D)Commercial Flooring

The Future of Architecture & Design Post COVID-19

By Kathleen Cloud
flooring installation at The Lighthouse Surgery Center at St. Francis Hospital

Going forward, healthcare facilities will see a lot of change, according to Cloud. Higgins Flooring recently completed an installation at The Lighthouse Surgery Center at St. Francis Hospital.

June 8, 2020

Top architects and designers are experienced with change throughout the design process to reflect varying client needs. The COVID-19 pandemic will add even more design challenges in 2020 and beyond in the healthcare, education and corporate markets.

The healthcare segment is the most obvious area for change. “Anticipate and be ready,” says Derek Noble, principal at Shepley Bulfinch. Shepley, with offices in Boston, Hartford, Conn., Phoenix and Houston, wants to assist emergency departments in beefing up to create surge units in the event of future health crises. 

Where can large numbers of care providers and staff sleep in the hospital at the time of such events? Terri Frink, principal at S/L/A/M Collaborative, says that hotels may be owned by hospitals for this purpose so they can expand the bed capacity for patients and and/or staff. SLAM recently acquired Heery Design to expand their geographical reach and horsepower. Across the country, the flooring focus might need to be on hard surface flooring to allow spaces to be more readily changed. Such spaces will need to have an alternate plan to show proper circulation paths, bed layout, and how well they are ventilated. Flexibility will be key.

“What can we do to create a better environment for employees to feel safer?” asks Tom Quarticelli, principal at Amenta Emma. With offices in Boston, Hartford and New York, Amenta Emma acknowledges that the corporate environment has many concerns to ponder. Some considerations include staggering workstations, modifications such as panels and plexiglass, reduced capacity in meeting rooms, touch-free door handles, self-cleaning technology that can kill bacteria on surfaces, and the use of anti-microbial materials such as copper. Workplace protocols in place will be important to keep workspaces cleaner. Signage will also be important to help navigate the flow of people in an office as well as highlight when the space was last cleaned. Technology needs will also be important to address with clients. Video meetings and remote work will still be important. Since the “cat is out of the bag” now about the merits of working from home, more user-friendly technology will be required. 

“How do you make buildings more vibrant in the future?” Frink asked. There is a great desire to develop places people can come together safely to share ideas. We need to be able to build community in a different way while still attracting top talent. 

Education may look very different in the future, with more questions than answers. As online classes expand, how does a campus retain its relevancy? Will college campuses go to single room occupancy? Can a college dorm be built in such a way that it can be converted into a healthcare space if needed in a crisis? If so, doors would have to be wider and flooring would need to adapt to the change in purpose. K-12 systems may go back to less dense neighborhood schools where smaller, safer classrooms are the focus.

These questions provide fodder for A&D firms to work through with their clients. All three firms agreed that two key things still exist when meeting with owners. The first is to collect data on the preparation needed to get back to “normal” work and how they can assist. The second includes assessment services offered. Since one size does not fit all, “clients still want to do master plans and high-level cost estimates for budgets” Noble said. “Priorities have to be in place,” reminded Quarticelli. Only then can we really understand what our customers value.

Aside from the design challenges at this time, there are some positive outcomes that can be highlighted. Made in the USA products will be in the forefront. Many flooring manufacturers already produce materials in house, such as Armstrong, Daltile, Mannington and Roppe, to name a few.  The manufacturing community as a whole has a big opportunity to source more locally. 

See more updates on the COVID-19 pandemic

Companies can now have more confidence in their staff working remotely. Improved techniques were acquired by management on staff engagement and making sure everyone felt a sense of worth during this work from home period. Back at the office, the environment will be cleaner and healthier for its employees. According to Quarticelli at Amenta Emma, the best outcome from this pandemic is probably our awareness and appreciation for the simple things in life that we previously took for granted. Not a bad perspective overall.

KEYWORDS: commercial interiors Coronavirus flooring design healthcare market interior design

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Kathleen Cloud is president of Higgins Flooring.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Installation How-To
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Residential Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

More Videos

Popular Stories

Ken Ballin manning the Tools 4 Flooring booth in Tool Alley at TISE 2025

10 Tool Innovations Every Flooring Contractor Should Have on Their Wish List

RevWood American Originals.jpg

How Mohawk's Domestic Manufacturing Powers Growth in Challenging Times

Paul Hambidge

The Waterproof Laminate Myth: Why Consumer Expectations May Never Be Met

Installation Awards - Vote Now!

Events

June 9, 2025

NeoCon 2025

A trade show for the commercial interior design industry.

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • interior design resiliency report

    Changes in Interior Design Post-Covid-19

    See More
  • Bentley’s Modern Revival LVT

    The Redesign of Learning Spaces Post COVID-19

    See More
  • NAHB

    NAHB Identifies Top Features and Design Trends for 2021 in the Wake of COVID-19

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • floorfinishes.jpg

    Environmental Impact of Materials: Floor Finishes

  • BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook 2025 Edition

    2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

  • radiant.jpg

    Radiant Floor Heating, Second Edition

See More Products
×

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP