Could high-rises be the future of postpandemic living?

Enlightened designers will revolutionize high-rise residential buildings into suitable spaces for working and studying from home.

The architecture industry is currently at a crossroads. At a time when quick response and effectiveness are a constant tug-of-war, would this be the perfect time to rethink everything? Or should we stick to quick, specific, and pragmatic answers where we are most comfortable?

End of birth post-pandemic architecture

Just as modernity was inspired, at least in part, to promote healthy living conditions in the first half of the 20th century, it is certain that the challenges of the current pandemic will spawn new philosophies, technologies, and practical solutions for everyday life.

An architect’s understanding of the built environment is one thing, but just as important is engaging with the public’s understanding of how the built environment should function. The pandemic may not last forever, but the way we respond to its effects will shape the built environment of the future.

To fully understand the role of architecture in pandemic recovery, it is important to have a deeper understanding of the way we inhabit and move around buildings and other physical spaces. The current built environment may not be specifically designed to contain the effects of the pandemic, but as designers and the public learn more about COVID-19, a new mindset is emerging about the fear of infection that eventually translates into forms that, too follow the fear of infection.

Where the boundary between indoor and outdoor space, between basement and upper floor and in general between public and private space between designers and property owners has to be carefully weighed, where is the boundary between inside and outside?

However, this does not always have to be the case, thanks to the flood of multifunctional and flexible rooms.

Flexibility, the oyster of post-pandemic life

If there is one word that has increased dramatically in use during the pandemic, it would be “flexibility”.

As people continue to adapt to the ever-evolving pandemic and quarantine protocols of each location, the post-pandemic home of the future should embody spatial and functional flexibility to accommodate such changes. In view of the requirements for adaptability and multifunctionality, I can only think of one type of building – high-rise buildings.

Flexible spaces for working, studying

Especially at a time when employees and students are encouraged to work and study at home, common areas and space in high-rise buildings could be used as co-working spaces.

Enlightened designers will revolutionize high-rise residential buildings into suitable spaces for working and studying from home, thereby promoting a more segregated spatial organization. This can be done either in the form of a separate corner or a room, both equipped with large windows, blackout curtains, ergonomic furniture and soundproofing.

High-rise buildings strategically located in central business districts make them excellent receivers of network and telecommunications signals, which are critical to remote working and learning arrangements.

The healing effects of light, nature and air are also emphasized in high-rise buildings.

Flexible entertainment modes

Cabin fever is one thing. Staying at home gave us limited entertainment and recreational opportunities in the nearby areas. While just walking outdoors can resolve cabin fever, our current scenario encourages us to think outside the box instead.

When it comes to guilt-free, risk-free recreation, skyscrapers can offer anything from shopping malls, gyms, cafes, restaurants, cinemas to swimming pools – and people no longer have to travel distances to relax. Depending on the exclusivity of the building, the location of recreation rooms within high-rise buildings varies, from the ground floor to specially designed roofs.

Flexible means of self-sufficiency

An extended period of time indoors, where most residents are expected to remain productive, could present various challenges to post-pandemic housing planning and design. In particular, the construction of self-sufficient buildings and lifestyles will have a high priority.

Apartments in high-rise buildings have a heightened sense of functionality due to their limited space with their space-saving properties and temporary spaces. The healing effects of light, nature and air are also emphasized in high-rise buildings, with residential units surrounded by their own garden areas and larger communal gardens where people can relax and meet.

Utilities are also encouraged to be as self-sufficient as possible with energy efficient strategies for cooling and heating systems, water supply, and even food production. While we cannot ignore the relatively high densities found in high-rise buildings, non-contact technologies can limit physical contact by eliminating the need to press or touch surfaces.

Flexible access for on the go

It is expected that tightened social distancing protocols will encourage a horizontal mode of development for densely populated cities. In view of the limited developable land resources, another option would be the integration of mixed uses in high-rise estates.

The accessibility and comfort of high-rise buildings are comparable to those of cities with an efficient cycle and pedestrian network. Since everything is within walking distance, both scenarios promote environmental friendliness that promotes people’s physical and mental health.

Flexible construction

Although modular construction was popular even before COVID-19, its affordability and quick construction have made it even more relevant as buildings adapt to increased floor space and space requirements to accommodate social distancing, treatment, and quarantine protocols.

While the modular construction method is conventionally used in residential buildings with four to eight floors, the efficiency of this new construction method has proven to be suitable for buildings up to 12 floors and more. Since most high-rise buildings consist of several, repeating units, they are built in a modular manner through the wide use of prefabricated and assembly-friendly materials that can be easily dismantled and reused.

Recognize the flexibility of high-rise buildings

Instead of optimism, a futuristic mindset is the pinnacle of architectural thinking. At a time when quick response and effectiveness are a constant tug-of-war, would this be the perfect time to rethink everything? Or should we stick to quick, specific, and pragmatic answers where we are most comfortable? Thanks to the flexibility of high-rise buildings, we can achieve the best of both worlds in just a few steps.

The author runs his own architectural firm helping local and international clients with various unique and future design specialties for hotels, condominiums, museums, commercial and mixed-use township developments with the pursuit of the metamodern in the next Filipino architecture. Visit FulgarArchitects.com.

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source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/could-high-rises-be-the-future-of-postpandemic-living/