In an effort to support the COVID-19 response, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has launched a task force to help inform public officials, healthcare facility owners and architects on adapting buildings into temporary healthcare facilities.
“On a daily basis, I am hearing from our architects who feel a deep sense of moral duty to support our healthcare providers on the frontlines of this pandemic,” said AIA 2020 President Jane Frederick, FAIA. “As our communities assess buildings to address growing surge capacity, we hope this task force will be a resource to ensure buildings are appropriately and safely adapted for our doctors and nurses.”
AIA encourages federal, state and local government to adapt appropriate existing buildings to meet the growing healthcare and quarantine needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The task force is charged with developing a COVID-19 Rapid Response Safety Space Assessment for AIA members that will include considerations for the suitability of buildings, spaces, and other sites for patient care. The assessment will be developed by architects with a wide range of expertise, including healthcare facility design, urban design, public health and disaster assistance.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic public health response there is an unprecedented need for the adaptive reuse of buildings to serve a variety of functions,” said environmental health scientist Dr. Molly Scanlon, FAIA, FACHA, who is the director of standards, compliance and research at Phigenics. “Architects and our allied design and construction professionals are in a unique position to leverage our advanced problem-solving skills to bring forth ideas for community implementation.”
The task force—chaired by Dr. Scanlon—plans to release its report in early April in an effort to help inform decisions to address the pandemic.
“This is a race against time for healthcare facilities to meet bed surge capacity needs” said AIA Academy of Architecture for Health President Kirsten Waltz, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, LEED, who is the director of facilities, planning and design at Baystate Health. “This task force will help inform best practices for quickly assessing building inventory and identifying locations that are most appropriate to be adapted for this crisis.”
Waltz and other members of the task force are helping bridge the needs of healthcare providers by modifying hospitals and smaller facilities to meet the growing bed surge demand and to increase areas for medical screening, triage, and other patient care.
Related Stories
Market Data | Mar 14, 2018
AGC: Tariff increases threaten to make many project unaffordable
Construction costs escalated in February, driven by price increases for a wide range of building materials, including steel and aluminum.
Market Data | Mar 12, 2018
Construction employers add 61,000 jobs in February and 254,000 over the year
Hourly earnings rise 3.3% as sector strives to draw in new workers.
Steel Buildings | Mar 9, 2018
New steel and aluminum tariffs will hurt construction firms by raising materials costs; potential trade war will dampen demand, says AGC of America
Independent studies suggest the construction industry could lose nearly 30,000 jobs as a result of administration's new tariffs as many firms will be forced to absorb increased costs.
Market Data | Mar 8, 2018
Prioritizing your marketing initiatives
It’s time to take a comprehensive look at your plans and figure out the best way to get from Point A to Point B.
Market Data | Mar 6, 2018
Persistent workforce shortages challenge commercial construction industry as U.S. building demands continue to grow
To increase jobsite efficiency and improve labor productivity, increasingly more builders are turning to alternative construction solutions.
Market Data | Mar 2, 2018
Nonresidential construction spending dips slightly in January
Private nonresidential construction fell 1.5% for the month, while public sector nonresidential spending increased 1.9%.
Market Data | Feb 27, 2018
AIA small firm report: Half of employees have ownership stake in their firm
The American Institute of Architects has released its first-ever Small Firm Compensation Report.
Market Data | Feb 21, 2018
Strong start for architecture billings in 2018
The American Institute of Architects reported the January 2018 ABI score was 54.7, up from a score of 52.8 in the previous month.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 15, 2018
United States ranks fourth for renter growth
Renters are on the rise in 21 of the 30 countries examined in RentCafé’s recent study.
Market Data | Feb 1, 2018
Nonresidential construction spending expanded 0.8% in December, brighter days ahead
“The tax cut will further bolster liquidity and confidence, which will ultimately translate into more construction starts and spending,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
