The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is releasing strategies and illustrations today that can help senior living communities mitigate risk of COVID-19.
These resources were developed by a team of architects, AIA’s Design for Aging knowledge community, public health experts, and engineers, to assist with pivoting communities toward a more sustainable set of strategies that can reduce risk for residents and staff while creating a more comfortable way of life that is supportive of overall wellbeing.
In addition to the 3D model—produced by RLPS Architects—the team’s findings are detailed in a report for administrators, design professionals, and public officials. These strategies are meant to work in tandem with AIA’s other tools that can assist senior living communities with mitigation measures to safely resume activities and reopen closed spaces. These tools include a seven-step Risk Management Plan for Buildings for assessing hazards and applying strategies that reduce risk and the AIA’s Re-occupancy Assessment Tool, which provides a framework of strategies for making buildings safer.
Developing mitigation strategies is particularly critical for senior living communities, where risk is amplified. The primary risk of transmission is currently considered to be close personal contact, which could occur among residents, staff, and visitors predominantly in gathering areas, such as dining rooms or common areas, and during group activities. Visit AIA’s website to access the full report.
Resources were developed from a wide range of expertise and research using a virtual charrette workshop—a method used to study specific issues in a limited time frame using an intense brainstorming session.
As part of the sessions, a group of public, environmental, and occupational health experts and physicians provided an independently developed 90-minute briefing on SARS-CoV-2 infectious disease transmission, epidemiological models, and insights into the most current research of the virus as of May.
For more detailed information on public health hazards and considerations in senior living communities, see AIA’s COVID-19 emerging research and public health data.
Visit AIA’s website for more COVID-19 resources for architects.
Related Stories
Market Data | Apr 30, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 30, 2020
College programs help prepare students for careers in the construction industry and a national movement to cancel May rent takes shape.
Market Data | Apr 30, 2020
The U.S. Hotel Construction pipeline continued to expand year-over-year despite COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020
Many open or temporarily closed hotels have already begun or are in the planning stages of renovating and repositioning their assets while occupancy is low or non-existent.
Market Data | Apr 29, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 29, 2020
A new Human performance Center and Construction employment declines in 99 metro areas.
Market Data | Apr 29, 2020
Construction employment declines in 99 metro areas in March from 2019
Industry officials call for new state and federal funding to add jobs.
Market Data | Apr 28, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 28, 2020
A virtual 'city-forest' to help solve population density challenges and planning for life in cities after the pandemic.
Market Data | Apr 27, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 27, 2020
Colleges begin building campus eSports arenas and PCL Construction rolls out portable coronavirus testing centers.
Market Data | Apr 24, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 24, 2020
Take a virtual tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House and Construction Contractor Confidence plummets.
Market Data | Apr 23, 2020
Construction Contractor Confidence plummets in February
As of February 2020, fewer than 30% of contractors expected their sales to increase over the next six months.
Market Data | Apr 23, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 23, 2020
The death of the department store and how to return to work when the time comes.
Market Data | Apr 22, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 22, 2020
Repurposed containers can be used as rapid response airborne infection isolation rooms and virtual site visits help control infection on project sites.
