COVID-19, the threat and reality of future contagions, and post-pandemic labor-force expectations and demands, have compelled employers to re-think the nature of their work and as a result their workplace. The “Office of the Future” is no longer prediction and surmising… it’s here.

Despite the majority of the corporate workforce now demanding a more flexible work model, the consensus is most people still want and need a destination workplace away from their home. An office setting remains a priority for most clients, however, how these spaces function and look have drastically changed over the past three years.

Here is how we are helping our clients design flexible spaces for today’s work environment ….

Offices and Workstation Areas

• DCS is designing a combination of dedicated individual offices as well as flexible non-designated offices. Based on the nature of clients’ work, they may require some dedicated offices, but because we are seeing less “full capacity” office density and more intermittent attendance, incorporating non-assigned offices which can be signed out and used by whomever is in the office that day, reduces the office footprint and increases space efficiency.

• Same-size offices and small meeting/huddle rooms which can easily be converted to one or the other based on need.

• The use of demountable office partitions has become a frequent planning alternative to “hard walls” architecture and provides maximum flexibility based on the client’s changing needs. New, thin-profile glass partitions are now readily available and provide clients with greater flexibility in adding and demounting offices as needed.

• Workstation flexibility is also of utmost importance as more staff work hybrid work schedules. This flexibility includes (1) Both assigned and non-assigned workstations where people can sign out a workstation the days they are working in the office utilizing scheduling software; (2) Lockers to store personal items for unassigned spaces (3) Ease of connectivity for laptops as people move from home to office; (4) Workstations designed on wheels to allow for easy reconfiguration based on collaboration or private, heads-down work; (4) Sit/stand desks are highly desirable and provide health benefits.

• In open work areas, the need to access acoustically private spaces for heads down, uninterrupted work and private phone calls is critical. This is accomplished by creating quiet work zones through individual phone/work rooms, and “huddle” rooms which can be used as private offices when needed.

• Virtual meetings are here to stay whether they occur at home or in shared workspaces. As a result, we are designing dedicated rooms for these types of meetings.  Of critical importance in these spaces are audio/visual capabilities and Wireless Access Points (WAPS).

Shared Community Spaces within the office

• “Third Spaces” as are becoming highly desirable for most clients. These spaces are neither traditional office nor home but offer employees a comfortable combination of both. Spaces typically include cozy couch seating, plush chairs, various size work and/or dining tables, and a coffee/beverage station. This environment promotes opportunities for smaller, collaborative, and social conversations in a more relaxed environment.

• Larger community kitchen spaces are now the expectation for most clients. A variety of seating options — booth seating, bar height tables, communal and smaller tables – are being incorporated into nearly all lunchrooms we are designing.  Additionally, access to hot and cold-brew coffee, filtered or sparkling water, and even after-work microbrews are becoming more frequently requested.

• Grab-And-Go Vending is become more prevalent in our designs, offering convenient access to healthy food options as well as creating a social gathering place.

• Large conference rooms which include flexible seating, dividable partitions and direct access to natural light and views are now a must-have for clients. The era of the large stationary conference table is over; clients now desire multiple seating capabilities, including classroom, town hall and group seating layout options. Additionally, incorporating folding wall partitions to change the conference room size and function makes these areas more dynamic and interchangeable for both large and small gatherings. Access to natural light and views in these spaces promotes circadian rhythm and overall well-being.

• Interior air quality has become a priority for many clients as a result of COVID-19. HVAC strategies such as MERV-13 filtration, bi-polar ionization, UVGI lighting and increased air exchanges every hour are all recommended by MEP engineering consultants. Clients can choose the level of HVAC safety based on need and overall project budget.  Our experience demonstrates one or more of these strategies is nearly always incorporated in the final design.

• With health and wellness on everyone’s minds these days, biophilic design is becoming more popular as well. With a variety of live and preserved plant and moss wall options available on the market, clients can access greenery and the outdoors directly within the design of their interior spaces. This helps promote a calming and healthy connection to nature, improving mental and emotional health.

Shared Common Spaces outside of the office

Building amenity spaces have never been more in demand than they are post-pandemic, and nearly every landlord realizes they must provide them to attract and retain tenants. As clients evaluate buildings – whether to stay in-place or relocate – a building’s amenities are a very large consideration.

• Many tenants are also taking building amenities into consideration when designing their own spaces, often making the conference and meeting areas smaller to reduce their over-all footprint and save money. Additionally, tenants have the benefit of “back-up” meeting space should conference room(s) in their own space be in use.

• Common tenant lounges connected to the main lobby are very much in-demand. These tenant lounge spaces can be beneficial for larger, office-wide gatherings or for smaller, social events outside the primary office environment.

• For enhanced health and safety, improved restroom facilities are a priority for both tenants and landlords alike. Automatic soap dispensers, hands-free lavatories, and automatic paper towel dispensers or hand dryers are being incorporated into every new design. In addition, anti-microbial surfaces which inhibit the lifespan of virus particles are commonly requested by clients. For this reason, copper, brass, and silver are being more readily specified than stainless steel or aluminum surfaces, particularly on door handles and plumbing fixtures.

• Outdoor spaces have become nearly as important to leasing as interior tenant spaces, providing a healthy extension of indoor work (both physically and mentally).

• Accessible exterior spaces directly off the interior office environment are highly desired. This encompasses private outdoor terraces as part of the tenant’s space, as well as larger building patios with various seating options, fully Wi-Fi connected outdoor meeting pavilions, and even outside exercise and meditation areas extending from the interior fitness center. More and more tenants are looking for ways to connect with the outdoors during the workday to enjoy fresh-air, natural light and an overall healthier environment.

What the Pandemic has taught us

If the pandemic has taught the office market anything, it’s that we can achieve contagion-responsive strategies, hybrid-work methodologies, maximum flexibility, and attractive, inviting space design all at the same time.

The office is not going away, but hybrid working is also here to stay.  DCS Design is responding to office space flexibility in nearly every new design for our clients.

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DCS Design is continually striving to create spaces which embody wellness, health, and safety for employees, while at the same time maintaining an uncompromising standard of design. As people return to the workplace, it is now more critical than ever to create spaces which inspire a feeling of wellbeing.

What is Biophilic Design?

Humans have an affinity for the natural world and thrive in environments where nature is prevalent. Biophilic design is the idea of reimagining the workplace by incorporating nature-inspired solutions and materials. This can include the use of wood, stone, and a variety of greenery, along with exposure to natural light, outdoor views, and imagery of nature throughout the space.

There are of course many benefits to Biophilic Design. Using live greenery inside helps improve indoor air quality, which in turn promotes health and wellness. Bringing natural light into a space by maximizing views increases productivity and mood. And being surrounded by plants, water and nature-inspired flooring, walls, and ceilings can be calming and rejuvenating for employees. Finally, enhancing outdoor space which connects to the indoors can also result in the same benefits.

As designers focused on bringing people back to the office, as well as wellness, DCS Design incorporates a variety of biophilic attributes to our spaces — from green walls made of moss, to featuring organic shapes within our designs to reflect nature.

“We are all navigating new ways to think about the workplace and tools to bring people back,” explains Wendy Feldman Block, Executive Managing Director for Savills, a commercial real estate advisory firm. “Incorporating biophilia is a key means of achieving this. Many folks during the pandemic, including myself, got used to being able to see outside while working from home. I felt calmer and more productive. Now I look for similar attributes when searching for buildings and spaces for my clients.  The biggest challenge with biophilia? The word – which is unfamiliar to most. To me, it is nature at its best – incorporating it into design and material selection and complementing the building selection process.”

See how DCS’ biophilic designs is helping bring people back to the office.

Caywood at Woodland Park

The reimagining of the outdoor amenity space at Caywood at Woodland Park inspires and motivates people to return to the office. The activated outdoor patio and meeting/gathering spaces serve as a visual connection and landing space for tenants in the office campus’ two buildings and throughout the property. The space features a landscaped patio area with gathering tables which connects to the interior through a large movable wall; a walking path; and individual meeting pavilions fully wired with Wi-Fi and other technology connections. The large outdoor space is also ideal for community gatherings and events, creating local brand recognition and good-will within the larger community.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

The live moss wall at AOTA brings nature into the space and connects staff to the outdoors.

The Ellipse at Ballston

At The Ellipse at Ballston, a fully activated outdoor fitness area and yoga studio features movable equipment, large, mounted TVs for interactive virtual and in-person classes, turf workout areas, and a large open-air trellis lounge. When not in use, moveable exercise equipment can be stored away, and the outdoor area can transform into a tenant event or lounge space – a unique experience unlike any other in this office submarket.

The post The Importance of Biophilic Design in a Post-COVID World appeared first on DCS Design.

DCS Design is a firm that takes great pride in our staff and their professional successes. We also work hard to ensure those successes are nurtured from within, and when we have opportunities for advancement, we first look internally to our talented staff.

It is with great pleasure and pride we announce the promotion of Wael Fahmy to Architectural Project Director.

Wael received his Bachelor’s Degree in architecture from Alexandria University – Department of Fine Arts – Architecture. Beginning his career in Egypt, next in London, then finding his way to the U.S. – he joined DCS Design in April 2014 as a Project Manager. Wael is a registered architect and is LEED accredited. Throughout his career at DCS, Wael has managed some our most challenging and complex mixed-use, residential projects – and always with professionalism, proficiency, wisdom, and a positive, helpful attitude for clients and team members alike.

Congratulations, Wael! We’re proud of you!

The post Staff Announcement: Exciting Changes at DCS! appeared first on DCS Design.

Earning the seal was spearheaded by our WELL Accredited Professional, Project Director, Associate, Joanna Adams-DeCastro.

“There are many benefits in having gone through this process and achieving this rating ourselves,” explained Joanna. “We feel it is extremely important to be a leader in this healthy building movement, starting with our own space and employees, providing them with more confidence coming to the workplace knowing they are in a safe and healthy environment.”

Designed to empower owners and operators of large and small businesses alike to take the necessary steps to prioritize the health and safety of their staff, visitors, and stakeholders, the WELL Health-Safety Rating helps guide users in preparing their spaces for re-entry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating provides a centralized source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators. It leverages insights drawn from the IWBI Task Force on COVID-19, in addition to guidance on the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), global disease control and prevention centers, and emergency management agencies.  It also draws upon standards and procedures from recognized standard-making associations such as ASTM International and ASHRAE, leading academic and research institutions, as well as core principles already established by IWBI’s WELL Building Standard, the premier framework for advancing health in buildings and spaces of all kinds.

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The design of the organization’s new headquarters, located in North Bethesda, MD, embodies AOTA’s uncompromising dedication to helping create full and rich experiences for people with occupational challenges, the OTs and OTAs who serve them, and the dedicated AOTA staff who support and facilitate the organization’s mission. “Inclusive and Accessible Design” is the central goal of the new headquarters space. The challenge was to design the space to reflect the diverse needs of OT patients, and to reflect the principles of occupational therapy in the design.

Concurrently with the office redesign, the organization also undertook a complete re-brand. Because these two identity-centric efforts are highly interconnected and needed to be engaged nearly simultaneously, AOTA chose to work with DCS’ branding division on the re-brand effort.

Working closely with on-staff OTs, DCS Design ensured both the space design and branding elements met the diverse needs of people with physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges, while also creating an open, flexible, mission-representative work environment.

Inclusivity and accessibility began at the planning stage with creating wider circulation and corridors to accommodate wheelchairs and other movement and mobility challenges. All public doors throughout the space utilize hands-free openers for accessibility. Furniture was chosen to achieve maximum accessibility including ADA-height cushioned bench seating in the reception area, extended bench seating in the resource library (instead of standard table and chairs), chairs with and without arms and castors in all the conference rooms, adjustable height work surfaces throughout the space, and a custom reception desk which is entirely ADA height with wheelchair accessibility. Light values and access to natural light are also extremely important in creating fully accessible design. Views to the exterior or interior building atrium are visible from any point within the space and are enhanced through glass-front offices positioned on the perimeter, glass conference, meeting and huddle rooms, and a large open collaboration and meeting space placed on the interior building atrium.

Working side-by-side, the branding and design teams ensured the organization’s new space was designed to fully reflect the new brand, and vice-versa. Displayed throughout the space, the new AOTA logo uses letterforms which overlap to create a multi-color palette symbolizing the rich diversity of practice, practitioner, and client. Letters also intersect to express connection and support between OT practitioners and clients. Features of the space were intended to be healing and therapeutic to reflect the work of OT practitioners, with an over-all neutral color palette coupled with strategic pops of AOTA’s new brand colors. The team also worked with an occupational therapist specializing in low vision to ensure visually impaired people can fully distinguish the over-lapping letters and colors.

The space is designed to be open, flexible, and encourage mobility throughout the workday. In fact, upon moving into the new space, AOTA issued each staff member a laptop to make it easy to work from various spaces throughout the day. Common areas such as the lunchroom, reference library, huddle rooms, and the large open meeting space positioned on the interior building atrium, are all designed as multi-functional spaces. Natural elements such as a live moss wall, rustic reclaimed barn wood, and stacked stone are used throughout to bring the outdoors in. A curved cove ceiling detail winds throughout the space connecting all individual areas, symbolizing AOTA as the connection source for practitioners, educators, students, and patients and clients receiving OT services.

Artwork is extremely important to both the feel of the space as well as the mission message. All artwork was created by persons who received occupational therapy services, with his/her story of art as a form of therapy accompanying the various pieces. Additionally, colorful books and artifacts displayed along a publication wall opposite the large conference room, and professional reference books displayed on ends in the public-serving reference library, all serve as purposeful artwork within the design.

AOTA Executive Director, Sherry Keramidas, PhD, FASAE, CAE, shares, “Through the design, you see and experience AOTA’s life-affirming message at every turn in our new space, and we’re reminded of the people we serve. It makes for a very inspiring and satisfying place to work.” 

The post Inclusive and Accessible Design at<br>the New AOTA Headquarters appeared first on DCS Design.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, more companies and organizations are beginning to bring people back to work, and life is normalizing a bit. Now more than ever, awareness of the benefits of creating safe and healthy work and living environments has become more prevalent and wide-reaching. To address both immediate and long-term wellness benefits, DCS Design has extended our Human Wellness Design services to include full-service assessment and coordination of WELL Building Standard Certification and WELL Health-Safety Rating.

This recent extension of our Human Wellness Design includes assisting clients achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating and subsequent Safety Seal which focuses on operational policies, maintenance protocols, and emergency plans to address health and safety-related issues. Additionally, WELL Health-Safety creates an accessible pathway to certification and serves as an access point to full WELL certification.

Many factors account for healthy living and working environments. Humidity levels, air ventilation, temperature, lighting, plumbing, and accessibility to contaminant-free water are a few of the determinants affecting a space’s over-all health. Further, we spend 90% of our time indoors. By improving the health of our interior environments, we can reduce health care costs, and substantially increase productivity and attraction and retention of employees and tenants.

Also, what better way to show our commitment to creating healthy environments than to pursue WELL Health-Safety Rating for our own office space? Led by our WELL accredited professional, Joanna Adams-DeCastro, we have officially registered our space and are now diligently working towards the required 15 points to achieve the rating.

“It’s so exciting to be going through this process ourselves,” Joanna shares. “And we felt it was very important we ‘walk-the-talk.’ We believe so strongly in the future of healthy living and working spaces. Now having embarked on this journey for ourselves, we have even greater knowledge and ability to assist our clients!”

 Let’s get started!

Click below to learn more about our Human Wellness Design Services. Or call us today to talk about how you can get started! Call Marcia Calhoun 703.556.9275.

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DCS Design continues to help our clients immediately focus on getting people back to work, and now we are extending our wellness services to focus on critical, long-term health and safety for the workplace and beyond.

What path to healthier living and working
is right for your organization?

While WELL Building Standard (WELL) remains the leading tool for advancing the health and well-being of buildings and workplaces globally, two recent certifications are now available to ensure businesses, large and small, have access to science-based health and safety best practices and third-party certification.

WELL Health-Safety Rating

You have most likely seen the public service announcements featuring a variety of celebrity ambassadors, and soon you will be seeing more and more buildings and spaces proudly displaying the WELL Health-Safety seal. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is focused on operational policies, maintenance protocols and emergency plans to address future health and safety-related issues, with a focus on sanitization, emergency preparedness, health resources, air and water quality, engagement and communication, and innovation.

Fitwel

Created in partnership by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA), Fitwel provides guidelines for designing, constructing, and operating healthier buildings, and focuses on health areas including building location, outdoor spaces, indoor environments and workspaces, accessibility to healthy food and water, and emergency procedures.

Fitwel Viral Response Module

An offshoot of Fitwel, this distinct certification was developed specifically to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other deadly diseases and pathogens in the workplace.

 What is the cost?

The cost of certification varies by program. WELL Health-Safety Rating and Fitwel are designed to be more accessible and affordable than the more comprehensive WELL Building Standard. WELL Health-Safety also serves as an access point to full WELL certification.

 Let’s get started!

Our team of experts, including WELL accredited professionals, are here to help you understand which rating is best suited for your business, and guide you in implementing short and long-term health and safety practices. Call us today to learn more! Call Marcia Calhoun 703.556.9275.

“As designers, we thrive on providing functional and beautiful spaces people enjoy living and working in every day. To also be able to ensure those spaces are healthy and increase their overall wellbeing…that’s the ultimate beautification.”

—Joanna Adams DeCastro

Joanna is a LEED AP and WELL AP with over 30 years’ experience in commercial and multi-family spaces. To see some of the project Joanna is working on at DCS, follow her HERE on LinkedIn.

The post Health and Safety<br>beyond COVID-19: <br>What’s next? appeared first on DCS Design.

For National Cooperative Bank (NCB), located in Arlington, VA, DCS Design did just that.

The overall goal of NCB’s interior renovation was to completely open the 56,000 square foot space by creating direct site-lines between individual workstations and surrounding team rooms. This helped bring in natural light to all staff regardless of where they are seated throughout the office, and capitalized on the spectacular views of National Airport, the Potomac River and downtown D.C.

To further create this connected space, the design team added a new internal staircase connecting the two floors, allowing for more natural interaction among staff. The staircase, which is strategically located adjacent to the lunchroom, acts as the nucleus of the second-floor conference center — functionally and visually connecting the various elements of the space.

“We faced many challenges during the course of this project, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Stan Sherfy, Senior Vice President, NCB. “The design process and the completed space far surpassed our expectations. The new space feels fresh, light-filled, elegant, and promotes our critical mission to serve communities in need.”

In addition to creating direct site-lines throughout the space, other design elements were thematically introduced to create connection.

The post NCB Looks Forward to Connecting Staff Post COVID-19 appeared first on DCS Design.

“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to lead the overall design and architecture of this impressive development,” explained Doug Carter, Principal, DCS Design. “From the start, our key goal was to create an architectural statement that would reinforce the positive changes already occurring in this neighborhood, coupled with a quality of design that reflects the high standards and traditions of the community.”

“We are very excited to be part of this team who is helping provide much-needed and attractive housing and amenities at both market rate and affordable price-points for people in our community,” continued Lena Scott, Principal. “It was a greatly coordinated effort between the owners, contractors, the city and the design team!”

Comprised of three buildings, West Alex includes 278 market rate housing units, 74 affordable dwellings, a 75,000 square foot Harris Teeter, 50,000 square feet of ground floor retail, and 60,000 square feet of office space. Future development at the site includes senior housing and additional office space. DCS Design is the architect for the three buildings and the interiors of The Array and The Nexus, the market-rate and affordable housing components.

The post West Alex <br>a new mixed-use development<br>in Alexandria appeared first on DCS Design.

Regardless of economics, unit design must and will change to address this pandemic as well as future health crises.  We foresee some of these changes to include:

• Intensified focus on modular design of residential housing units. This methodology has been around for decades already, but now more than ever it needs to be emphasized with greater urgency. This method of design and construction will allow greater development of housing units at the mass scale necessary to achieve the quantity of units our market will require to meet the demand over the next 10 years. This methodology also allows for greater quality control but with greater flexibility to modify only small portions of the unit that would otherwise be the same modular design used for multiple housing units.

• The demand for more unit design flexibility in the same square footage. This could include providing one or more work alcoves with connectivity, a drop down or pull out desktop and adequate shelving for files, printers, and other necessary devices.

• Less open floor plans and more divided space for privacy and safety.

• Creating a “decontamination zone” upon entering the space. This could include a resurgence of the “mud room,” or any space in which residents and guests remove their shoes and outerwear and is adjacent to a washroom to immediately wash hands before entering the main living space.  In fact, the 1918 Flu Epidemic is attributed to the creation of the Powder Room for nearly the same safety function. This decontamination area can also be closed off from the living area with a sliding glass door, if desired.

• Create designated delivery areas for both packages and food delivery which is separated from the kitchen and living area.

• Visually separate workspace from personal space, including hard walls as well as moveable, partitional screens.

• Create “Zoom Zones”— designated, publicly-presentable space for work teleconferencing.

• Implement adjustable work surfaces to meet everyone in the household’s needs – children’s schoolwork, play activities, and sitting/standing work configurations.

• Design larger pantries and other food storage areas.

• Increase touchless surfaces and accessories, including expanding Smart Home technology.

• Implement easy to clean surfaces throughout the home and eliminate porous, bacteria-collecting surfaces.

• Upgrade air purification systems and provide greater outdoor air exchange and filtration. In addition, make sure operable windows with insect screens are provided in all rooms.

• Greater demand for balconies — both for access to the outdoors and fresh air, and as importantly, as collective social space to interact with neighbors at a safe distance. Balconies can be designed in different configurations for visual interest related to the exterior building design, as well as contain operable screens to further divide space and create visual privacy.

• Greater demand for outdoor courtyards and/or roof terraces to allow group gatherings at safe distances.

• Fitness centers will change to designated sign-out times only with limited, socially distanced equipment and an increase in outdoor physical activities such as yoga and meditation.

• Ensuring that mixed-use amenities (i.e. grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, etc.) are incorporated into the podium level of the housing development, or are at minimum located a relatively short walking distance from the housing units. For resilient housing to truly be resilient, it must have easy access to basic, community-driven amenities vital to a vibrant, neighborhood environment.

• In addition to the above, access to childcare and/or educational facilities for children is an absolute must for resilient housing and families. The pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on working mothers, driving them out of the labor force, perhaps permanently. Providing safe, affordable, and accessible childcare will be a huge driving force in allowing our families, particularly women, to return to the work force during and following the pandemic.

• Finally, access to continuing educational facilities will also be crucial as part of a resilient housing community. The pandemic has shut down entire industries and will have lasting impact on working families. To help mitigate this impact, housing design needs to incorporate facilities that will provide access to continuing education, financial outreach, work-force training opportunities and even social outreach facilities to help provide the necessary tools to rebuild our work force from the toll this pandemic has taken.

In addressing these post-COVID changes in both market-rate and affordable housing models, the key is these design changes cannot be a luxury provided to some, but a necessity provided for all.   In fact, it is not a matter of re-designing for this pandemic, it is resilience design for all that comes after.

Join us for our next webinar discussing the impact of COVID-19 on housing and what it has illuminated about affordability in this area.

Thursday, November 12th
11:30 am – 12:30 pm

The webinar is free and is eligible for 1 AIA HSW/LU CE Hour.
Registration link: https://nvite.com/HousingResilientDesign/d57d5

The post Resilient Housing Design and Looking Beyond COVID-19 appeared first on DCS Design.

As employees contemplate returning to their workplaces, new anxieties are arising from working in close proximity to their colleagues. Employees will try to maximize space between each other in order to practice social distancing – which is predicted to extend through 2022. In today’s high-density workplaces with low-paneled workstations, open bench-seating, hoteling, shared ancillary, and building amenity spaces, this social distancing mandate will require re-thinking current office design. Yet, as we now address infection control as a new normal in our work lives, it cannot be at the complete expense of office community, employee fellowship, shared creativity, and enjoyment of the people we see and interact with each day. After all, this is why we want to come to the office.

Design Best Practices for Infection Control in 2020 and Beyond

There are many health-conscious designs which can be integrated into office environments without compromising the overall aesthetics and design. New products, materials, and design best practices which can help reduce the risk of Coronavirus and other similar viruses are considered below. Undoubtedly, resources and implementation will continue to expand as the world demonstrates its incredible resourcefulness and creativity in battling this and other deadly contagions — as we’ve already witnessed with awe and appreciation.

Some of these design best practices may include:

—Redesigning entrances at building front, suite entries, conference centers, fitness centers, and other high-traffic areas to include:

• Automated sliding, revolving, or gateway doors which do not use door pulls. All have ADA considerations which must be evaluated
• Voice-activated doors
• Foot/Hand-wave door openers
• Push-button entries
• Security card reader scanners and/or proximity sensors
• Nexkey technology
• Body temperature scanners
• Sensors identifying behaviors and actions associated with existing illness

—Medical-grade materials and finishes for non-medical office environments

• Increased use of finishes with antimicrobial surfaces, specifically copper, brass and bronze which rapidly kill a wide range of harmful microbes, typically within a two-hour time-frame
• Higher MERV-rated air filtration (see below)
• Fabrics which can be easily wiped down with bleach

—Automated hand-sanitizing stations at building entrances and throughout tenant and amenity spaces

—Hands-free restroom faucets, kitchen fixtures, and public water fountains

—Automated lighting sources

—SmartKitchen appliance technology

—Expanding the size and capacity of bike rooms and creating easy access points to promote social distancing and discouraging use of public transportation when possible

—Designing work environments which are more adaptive to changing governmental and global health guidelines, including social distancing, adding barriers, cleaning, and safety measures

• Reorienting workstations to create social distancing (directional and/or height levels)
• Rotate workstation adjacencies so there is no face-to-face orientation
• Increasing the number and height of panels between workstations
• Integrating workstation screens which create physical barriers between employees
• Reorienting and removing seating options in conference and meeting rooms to create smaller meeting sizes, and to enforce social distancing.
• Retrofitting ancillary spaces:
  • Break multi-seating lounges into individual, screened seating
  • Arrange seating to eliminate face-to-face orientation
  • Introduce “hoodies” into individual and small seating areas to create additional barrier options
  • All storage throughout spaces will include sanitizers and cleaning supplies for quick and easy access by all employees

• Increase in outdoor seating areas with free-standing heat and fan/air units to encourage longer outdoor times.
• Rethinking hoteling environments:
  • Limiting to one person per day per station
  • Fully disinfect station surface areas daily
  • Consider moving to more long-term (“owned”) workstation environment

—Increasing corridor size from 5’ to up to 7’ to promote social distancing.

What About Air Quality?

According to current evidence reported by The World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 is primarily transmitted between people through respiratory droplets and contact routes. Airborne transmission is different from droplet and is generally considered to be particles which can remain in the air for long periods of time and are transmitted to others over greater distances. In a recent study performed in China, it is believed the virus was transmitted in a restaurant from one individual to many through droplets sent through the air conditioning. Increasing indoor air quality and standards is crucial to mitigating these risks and other potential outbreaks in the future. One way this can be accomplished is through installing air filters with higher MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings. MERV is an air filter rating system ranging from 1 – 20. As reference, MERV 8 is typical for commercial buildings; MERV 13 is considered the highest rating for commercial buildings; and MERV 19 is typically reserved for cleanrooms and medical facilities. However, due to the novelty of COVID-19, there is currently no consensus of the minimum MERV rating to eliminate the virus. In addition to higher MERV ratings, more frequent filter changes are highly recommended.

Another option for increasing air quality is installation of Air Disinfection UV Lighting and other air sanitation systems. This UV system is often used in healthcare settings but can also be implemented in office environments. This system is also considered more environmentally mindful due to the lack of heavy chemicals required. There are, however, demanding space requirements for these systems which need to be incorporated early in the design of the space, as well as additional energy costs which should be acknowledged.

Increasing air ventilation (bringing fresh air from outside) can also act to mitigate the transmission of the virus. Spaces with poor ventilation can stimulate unhealthy symptoms such as fatigue, sinus congestion, and nausea, creating an overall weakened immune system. Factors like humidity levels, access to windows, and air flow should also be evaluated.

Final Thoughts

Many of these changes can happen quickly while others are a futuristic look at the post COVID-19 workplace. The overarching theme of these changes portray the office of the future to be agile and adaptive to potential health, climate, and economic crises. The companies and organizations who integrate these changes will foster healthy and productive employees, as well as be the most prepared for future uncertainties.

Contact DCS Design Today

DCS Design will retrofit your current office with these and other COVID-19 prevention design practices and products to create a safer environment for your employees’ and tenants’ return. Or if you are considering a move, let’s discuss new design best practices for your future space.

Call us today to learn more and get started.

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Sources

Application of WELL Building Concepts to MEP Design in Commercial Offices Post COVID-19. Allen & Shariff Engineering, LLC, 2020, pp. 1–8, Application of WELL Building Concepts to MEP Design in Commercial Offices Post COVID-19.

“Building Evidence for Health: The 9 Foundations of a Healthy Office Building.” 9 Foundations, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2007, https://9foundations.forhealth.org//.

“Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 2020, https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.

DDG Virginia Engineering, PC., 2020, http://www.ddgvirginia.com/index.php.

Kissler, Stephen M., et al. “Projecting the Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 through the Postpandemic Period.” Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 14 Apr. 2020, https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/04/14/science.abb5793.

Lu J, Gu J, Li K, Xu C, Su W, Lai Z, et al. COVID-19 outbreak associated with air conditioning in restaurant, Guangzhou, China, 2020. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Jul, 22 Apr. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2607.200764

Navigating What’s Next: The Post-COVID Workplace. Steelcase, 2020, pp. 1–30, Navigating What’s Next: The Post-COVID Workplace.

“Scientific Brief: Modes of Transmission of Virus Causing COVID-19: Implications for IPC Precaution Recommendations.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 29 Mar. 2020, https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/modes-of-transmission-of-virus-causing-covid-19-implications-for-ipc-precaution-recommendations.

Wood, Johnny. “These Harvard Scientists Think We’ll Have to Socially Distance until 2022.” World Economic Forum, 20 Apr. 2020, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-social-distancing-how-long/.

Elizabeth is a registered Interior Designer and has nearly 35 years of experience in planning, designing, and managing commercial architectural projects in the Metropolitan DC area. Elizabeth is an Associate with DCS Design providing leadership in solving clients’ evolving needs and keeping DCS at the forefront of addressing what’s next for our industry.

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You may not think much about the storefronts you pass every day, but when you pass an Apple store, you know it. No matter its surroundings, the Apple store stands out as an icon—a hub of sleek sophistication that can make adjacent buildings and spaces look stale, outdated and out of touch.

How does Apple create this immersive buying experience?

Going Beyond the Façade

Many retail stores have branded their storefront, but that’s where the branding experience typically begins and ends. Aside from the name and showcasing merchandise which appeals to their core audience, the general branding level of the average mall clothing store is the same from one place to the next. With spaces like Apple, Tiffany’s, and Porsche, branding goes beyond the brand perception to also include the building and interior space as part of the complete brand experience. Retail outlets and strip malls generally don’t have this kind of brand flexibility, but stand-alone stores have far greater freedom and are granted more creativity.

Architecture as Part of the User Experience

When considering architectural branding, it’s no longer enough to consider the trimmings of the storefront, but the entire building and interior as a unified brand whole. Architects and designers need to consider how the space reflects the brand and influences the entire consumer experience. Going back to the Apple Store, every architectural detail, lighting source, material and finish within the space is designed to deliver “The Apple Experience.” Over time, this unique experience is what consumers expect—and why they return. Why is there always a line out-the-door when new Apple products are launched? It’s not only the cool, sleek product itself, but the experience of purchasing that product within the Apple-branded space. The architectural space is another critical facet of the complete brand experience.

The Brand Evolution and Keeping a Finger on the Pulse of Consumer Demand

It’s important to note brands evolve over time, and architectural aesthetics must keep up with the process. The combination of digital technology and the hybridization of spaces, combined with the building storefront, interior layout, brand colors, materials, and finishes create an entire impression and sets expectations in the user’s mind.

At the extreme end, brand architecture can even transform an entire city! The futuristic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain has created an uptick in the local economy and coined the phrase “The Bilbao Effect” for the ripple effect the brand architecture has created city-wide.

You can expect wholistic branding to continue to evolve as brands become more distinct and integrate greater technology to craft a seamless user experience. Architectural branding is here to stay and will only grow as retailers and brand visionaries acknowledge its undeniable influence on their consumers.

Susannah is an accomplished integrated marketing executive with over 15 years experience developing, managing and implementing innovative, award-winning online and offline campaigns for Fortune 500 clients across a variety of industries.

For more information about DCS Design, contact Marcia Calhoun at 703.556.9275.

Keep up with all DCS Design projects in and around DC! You can also follow us on Instagram,  Twitter, Facebook, and Architizer to find out about new projects, current trends, and fresh design ideas.

Check out our design blog for more design trends and insights.
Take a look at current projects by DCS Design for more information and design inspiration.

The post How Architectural Branding is Changing the Retail Game appeared first on DCS Design.

Historically, branding and architecture have always been thought of as two separate disciplines. Architects and Designers would creatively design the buildings and interiors, while the branding wizards would independently work to devise a unique positioning framework, many times without even seeing what the design team was creating. At best, this approach created a lot of backtracking and adjustments once the two teams got their heads together … and at worst, it created a complete disconnect between brand creation and architectural design.

But in recent years, this rigid siloing of disciplines is becoming more and more convergent and is instead being thought of as a synchronized creative process—as it should be.

What Created the Convergence between Architecture and Branding?

The combination of architecture and branding has largely been spurred on by new advances in digital technology. The last decade has truly made it possible for architectural firms to create entirely new spaces that combine architecture, graphics, event production, and multimedia in a way that allows brands to deliver a truly seamless presentation that goes beyond a name on a placard.

How Have Users Received the Blending of Architecture and Branding?

These advances in technology have come at a cost—our attention. In an era where everything is on-demand and almost instantaneous, a first impression is now what carries the most weight and clout with users. Traditional advertising has essentially dried up, and brands, especially older brands, are keenly aware of the death sentence being labeled “old school” can bring. As a result, marketers have started looking for newer, more interactive opportunities to incentivize and profit from the user experience.

Fortunately, hybrid spaces that combine branded design and technology in fresh, new and innovative ways not only draw users in, but keep them engaged over a longer period of time, and ideally, keep enticing them back! One only need look at the birth of Apple stores and the long lines of people waiting for the next version of the iPhone to see how brand architecture has come alive and cemented Apple’s reputation as a sleek, sexy, powerhouse of innovation.

Designing Spaces that Create Experiences

It’s no longer enough to incorporate some signage or a few branding elements to a building front or interior entry space and call it a day. Today the best-branded spaces reflect the internal culture of a company, or for residential clients, it reflects the experience and exclusivity of living there. Modera Sedici, a reimagining of the historic Italian Embassy in downtown D.C., designed by DCS Design, capitalizes on this fusion of branding and architecture to create “The Renaissance of City Living” — blending Old World charm with modern living conveniences. The architectural design reflects the unique brand. The brand influences the architecture, thus creating a continuous cycle of user immersion.

Aston Martin, Porsche and Armani: Real Estate?

One normally doesn’t think of luxury car brands or clothing as having anything to do with real estate, but in Florida, major brands like Aston Martin, Porsche, and Armani are using brand architecture to transform ordinary residential spaces into luxurious living. As their name implies, real estate branded with these retailers’ style evokes a sense of sleekness, class, sophistication and undeniably good taste. When you can take a well-tailored piece of clothing or a stunning vehicle and carry that sentiment over into a living space, you’ve done something truly remarkable and long-lasting — and that’s precisely what today’s forward-thinking architects and designers are hoping to achieve.

Susannah is an accomplished integrated marketing executive with over 15 years experience developing, managing and implementing innovative, award-winning online and offline campaigns for Fortune 500 clients across a variety of industries.

For more information about DCS Design, contact Marcia Calhoun at 703.556.9275.

Keep up with all DCS Design projects in and around DC! You can also follow us on Instagram,  Twitter, Facebook, and Architizer to find out about new projects, current trends, and fresh design ideas.

Check out our design blog for more design trends and insights.
Take a look at current projects by DCS Design for more information and design inspiration.

The post The Ever-Increasing Role of Branding in Architectural Design appeared first on DCS Design.

Prix Versailles is an organization which aims to foster and recognize beautiful and impactful architecture around the world. The Prix Versailles takes place every year at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. To find out more about the organization and other recognized projects go to prix-versailles.com.

For more information about these or other projects, contact Marcia Calhoun at 703.556.9275.

Keep up with all DCS Design projects in and around DC! You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Architizer to find out about new projects, current trends, and fresh design ideas.

Check out our design blog for more design trends and insights.
Take a look at current projects by DCS Design for more information and design inspiration.

The post DCS Design Selected as a Finalist—World Selection: Prix Versailles Sports 2019 Award appeared first on DCS Design.

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Yes, designing for DC-based clients can be different than designing for suburban ones. This has been a long-debated premise in the real estate and architectural world. The energy and vitality of the city are palpable, and as designers and architects, we strive to capture that essence as part of our design. Themes and characteristics of this historic yet progressive city are also frequent design elements which identify place and pay homage. And then there is function which can be unique to urban workplaces and dwellings such as appealing to a younger more mobile workforce; accommodating employees who walk, ride bikes, use public transportation — and what that can mean to the space (lockers, showers, storage, etc.); accessibility to the outdoors — be it designing outdoor spaces such as terraces and green spaces, as well as natural light and outdoor views; and working within a smaller urban footprint.

From a client-service perspective, a seamless design and production process is critical.  So, no matter where the design firm physically resides, it must feel like they are conveniently located right next door.  This matters in terms of meetings, working sessions with the client, and critical on-site meetings during construction.

Here are a few of our DC projects we are extremely proud to call our clients, friends and “neighbors!”

The Lydian

The Lydian is the latest addition to the Mount Vernon neighborhood, building on the success of the adjacent Lyric. While the two buildings share unifying design elements, The Lydian’s 324 residential units appeal to a more mature demographic by incorporating upscale finishes and a larger amenities package. A luxurious, landscaped roof terrace and club room incorporate indoor/outdoor spaces, providing visual connectivity to the neighboring Lyric and downtown DC.

The Lyric

The Lyric at 440 K Street helped kick-off the rapid transformation of Mount Vernon Place into one of the District’s newly thriving neighborhoods—the perfect place to live, work, and play! This architectural and interior architectural gem provides 234 apartments and 9,500 square feet of retail/amenity space on a compact site by fitting 14 stories within the District’s 130-foot height limit. Designers achieved nearly a 9 foot interior ceiling height, complemented with floor-to-ceiling windows which create a bright and open environment for residents.

Modera Sedici

Modera Sedici, home to the Italian Embassy from 1925 – 1977, has been reimagined as an upscale community offering historic elegance with modern amenities. DCS Design teamed with Mill Creek Residential to redesign the architecture and interior architecture of this Neo-Renaissance building along with a new nine-story high-rise building offering views of the DC skyline from the top of Meridian Hill.  Residents of this 135-unit luxury development are living “the beautiful life” (see our Lifestyle Video creation on all social media platforms) with private terraces and storied spaces that once hosted the world’s dignitaries.

Finnegan

Finnegan is lauded as having one of the largest interconnecting spiral staircases (seven floors!) in the country and has been photographed by top national publications. Originally designed by DCS Design in 2005, we provided an interior update to the 293,000 square foot intellectual property firm to address their evolving needs and to attract new talent.  The design team implemented recent trends in law firm design to enhance connectivity, productivity and space utilization. And this time we surrounded that incredible staircase in glass!

POD DC

Pod DC Hotel is one of DC’s most innovative hotels with 245 “Pod” hotel rooms, averaging an incredibly efficient 135 square feet. Its central H Street location next to Chinatown’s “Friendship Archway” provides guests with quick and easy access to all the city has to offer. The Crimson Diner, Whiskey Bar and Roof Top Lounge bring a popular local restaurant on-site as well. Pod DC has quickly become a leading hotel by offering an affordable connection to the Capital’s world-class culture, emphasizing its unique take on what it means to travel.

2017 Award of Merit, Best Hospitality Project, NAIOP Maryland/DC Chapter

White & Case

White & Case wanted to create an international hotel experience upon entering the 140,000 square foot law firm.  The completed project is reminiscent of a high-end art gallery and boutique international lounge, featuring a two-story, back-lit onyx wall. The in-place interior renovation also included a large, multi-zoned lunchroom created on the 12th story building atrium, repositioning the library for multi-functions, and relocating the large conference center.  A large-scale relief of the world map, along with photo representations of White & Case’s offices worldwide, reinforced their over-all international brand.

2016 Award of Excellence, Best Interiors over 75,000 sf, DC/MD NAIOP.

International Food Policy Research Institute

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)’s new 100,000 square foot DC headquarters is designed to architecturally translate their life-saving mission into tangible design elements. The interior architecture and design communicate the organization’s essential work to create short and long-term sustainable solutions to end poverty and hunger in developing nations.  Unique branding elements include a large metal installation of IFPRI’s logo in the reception area and staff cafeteria, organic textures, and colors inspired by nature; and finish selections symbolic of harvest.

2019 Award of Excellence, Environment Designed for Work, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

2018 Award of Excellence, Best Interiors over 75,000 sf, DC/MD Chapter

2018 Best Interior Design, CREW DC.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting

(Currently in Design)

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is a beloved DC non-profit organization and provides the largest source of federal funding for public radio, television, and related online and mobile services. If you listen to NPR in the morning … or watch PBS in the evening … you have CPB to thank!  After DCS Design conducted a ten-month program assessment, CBP made the decision to stay in their current location in the heart of DC. The two-floor renovation will allow staff to fall in love with their space all over again.

For more information about these or other projects, contact Marcia Calhoun at 703.556.9275.

Keep up with all DCS Design projects in and around DC! You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Architizer to find out about new projects, current trends, and fresh design ideas.

Check out our design blog for more design trends and insights.
Take a look at current projects by DCS Design for more information and design inspiration.

The post DCS Design Brings Premium Architecture and Interior Architecture to the Heart of DC appeared first on DCS Design.

In this changing work environment, long gone are the days of window-lined offices and high-panel workstations. Instead, many if not most companies opt for some degree of open workspace. But is an open, collaborative work environment right for everyone?

The Appeal of Openness

Millennial and Gen-Z workers are quickly becoming the target demographic for company recruitment. As the workforce becomes younger, more progressive, and more flexible, forward-thinking companies are doing their best to keep up. Countless offices across the United States are a physical reflection of their employees’ work preferences—teamwork, informality, and a flattened hierarchy. And, the age of an open work environment has only just begun.

What’s the big idea behind open offices? It’s simple. By removing physical barriers between team members, the psychological barriers are removed, too. A lack of walls is thought to help boost collaboration, creativity, and interpersonal communication. Instead of shrinking down behind their respective partitions, coworkers can easily share ideas, work together, and collaboratively solve challenges. The result, companies believe, is a productive, more motivated staff who enjoy coming to work, and who therefore work harder.

Possible Drawbacks

Are open work environments the secret to a hyper-productive and satisfied workforce? Well…maybe not in every case. The extra activity generated by this openness creates its own unique set of challenges.

According to a study performed by the Journal of Environmental Psychology, open offices lead to an increase in noise, distractions, and an overall loss of individual privacy. All those collaborative discussions can get pretty noisy without walls to muffle them. For those who need silence to focus, the constant buzz of sound…or a couple of very loud-taking co-workers…can be a real challenge to overcome.

The lack of privacy can be a hassle, too. Need to take an important client call? Have to participate in or run an important meeting? In an open workspace, you have to move to another location if you don’t want others listening in—or rolling their eyes because they’re forced to hear your entire conversation.

Research suggests that open workspaces may actually make workers less productive and interactive. A recent study by Harvard professor Ethan Bernstein cites increased psychological pressure as a major unintended consequence.

Bernstein notes that “If you’re sitting in a sea of people, for instance, you might not only work hard to avoid distraction (by putting on headphones for example) but—because you have an audience at all times—also feel pressure to look really busy. Indeed, all of the cues in open offices that we give off to get focused work done also make us less, not more, likely to interact with others.”

Compromise is Key

Open workspaces aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. A 2019 workplace study revealed that a mere 7% of respondents prefer totally open work environments. Instead, approximately 28% of respondents prefer “mostly open” offices with a few private spaces, while another 20% prefer “somewhat open” offices with a mix of private offices, meeting rooms of various sizes, phone rooms, and open collaboration areas.

In most cases, however, some degree of openness is a much better alternative to restrictive, self-isolating offices. A mix of open space and privacy is a much-needed solution to addressing the needs of a younger, diverse and specialized workforce.

As Thomas Edison said, “Different isn’t always better, but better is always different.”

Check out our design blog for more design trends and insights.
Take a look at current projects by DCS Design for more information and design inspiration.

The post Is an Open Work Environment Always Right? appeared first on DCS Design.

The location selected as the new home for Clare Locke LLC’s offices was a 1700’s manufacturing building with ties ranging back to the Civil War, right on Old Town Alexandria’s waterfront corridor.

Spanning a narrow brick building and an enclosed adjacent alley, the team was challenged with transforming the divided 9,400 square-foot-space into a unified, bright, and modern law office space with an open layout and an elegant boutique feel. ADA conformance and noise reduction were also major design objectives that were carefully observed throughout.

These were no easy tasks, and not just because of occasional visits from the building’s long line of ghostly tenants. Due to the strict preservation requirements and restrictions set by the Virginia Historical Society, the infrastructure of the edifice could not be altered, and many elements of the construction needed to be salvaged. By working in close collaboration with the landlord to ensure that all requirements were being met, our team combined elements both old and new, effectively creating a charmingly functional working space that pays homage to its rich and colorful past.

The result is a space that celebrates the historic and modern: exposed brick walls, reconditioned wood beams, columns, and flooring, as well as heavy black door framing harmoniously coexist with glass-front offices and an abundance of natural light including windows spanning two floors. Overall flow and accessibility were substantially improved by using existing windows and doorways to create connection points between buildings. A single, orienting staircase further connects the newly unified space. To control noise, offices were placed in building corners and facing paths of travel.

This project is a living testament to the merits of thoughtful planning and intelligent architectural design in the creation of timelessly unique spaces.

Clare Locke was awarded the 2017 NAIOP Design Award of Excellence.

Take a look at all of the current projects by DCS Design for more inspiration.

The post From Historic to Chic-Boutique: The Clare Locke offices in Old Town, Alexandria appeared first on DCS Design.

Where and how you work today is vastly different than the average worker’s environment in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. In the 80s, firms like DCS Design were creating office spaces to the tune of five to six million square feet per year. It was the era of corporate excess, and the office building designs and demands reflected that.

Enter the 1990s and the tech boom. Suddenly, efficiency was driving commercial architectural design. There was a movement towards consolidation and lowering overhead to increase efficiency. This required re-engineering a decade’s worth of trends.

How we work is dictated by a number of facets, including urbanization. In the past ten years, there has been a large shift in how we use office space. The architects at DCS Design have seen a decrease in the need for the typical office space. This is partially driven by urbanization, but also by technology, telecommuting, virtual offices, hot-desking, and simply having the flexibility to work from wherever and whenever you’d like has dramatically changed what we want in commercial office design.

The New Office

The digital era hasn’t made “office space” completely moot. Instead, it’s simply changed how we think of office space. We have the flexibility to work on the move more than ever, but an increasing number of studies have also shown that the environment where we work can make a huge difference in worker happiness and productivity.

For example, some studies have shown that an office space that uses eco-friendly materials can benefit employee health while increasing productivity. Other studies have shown that workplace quality plays a big role in whether or not a candidate accepts a job or if an employee stays. You can’t please every top candidate or employee but prioritizing what the best employees need and want in a workplace can be a big part of retention.

The physical design and layout of a workplace is foundational. The United Nations estimates that 68 percent of the world’s population will be living in an urban environment by 2050. This means architects need to plan for this shift now. Urban design needs to blend efficiency and maximize space while considering the interior architecture that people find most appealing and productive.

A Spiritual Business

Similar levels of change are being experienced by institutional uses, including churches and educational facilities. Keep a close eye on these types of institutions for insight into what we can expect in the future. Traditionally, urban congregations have occupied prominent locations. However, many urban congregations are shrinking, but maintain a viable purpose. Will churches be able to hold onto that land as urbanization continues? If they can, will that suit their purpose? What do you do when a congregation is shrinking but the physical presence of what is often a well-established church remains impressively large?

Churches and other institutions situated in an urban environment are sitting directly in the path of progress. There’s intense pressure to densify the areas around them. Some institutions might be landmarks and may be protected by historical societies and regulations. Those that aren’t may be able to take advantage of infill opportunities and create an endowment for themselves, thereby being able to continue their mission and having it paid for via monetization.

Some churches choose to expand their mission through the realization of real estate potential. Monetizing the land an institution already has can be a sustainable avenue.

Urban Trends on Tap

Already, over half of the world’s population lives in urban centers. People now choose to live in these environments. As part of this socio-cultural situation, people also expect all the amenities to be close to where they live. They want accessibility to public transportation, especially in areas like Northern Virginia where DCS Design serves institutions.

Commutes are getting longer around the country, and everyone is getting tired of them. By removing long commutes, you’re effectively removing wasted time and stress. Whether it’s work, church, school, or a grocery store, having everything you need just a few steps away makes living in an urban hub more appealing. In fact, it’s the reason many people relocate to a metro-centered development, such as the fast-growing Tysons Corner area of Northern Virginia.

In the past few years, there has been a shift as people put a premium on place over space. You can even see this change in suburban areas. Increasingly, the suburbs are creating urban areas with places like The Mosaic District and Reston Town Center.

The introduction of transit-oriented development, along with the mass adoption of Lyft and Uber as well as scooters, Jitney buses, and ZipCar, are also indicative of the acceptance of urban transportation. In Northern Virginia, DCS Design is working in the realm of both institutional architecture and institutional interior architecture to usher in the new era of urban design.

Local Projects to Watch

Currently, DCS Design is working with two American Legion projects in premium locations. There’s the design of Expectation Church on Braddock Road, which, enabled by sale of the 20 acres they owned in their previous location, sold the land to create an endowment and build a new church complete with a 980-seat theater and an attached building for Sunday School classes. Central United Methodist Church on Fairfax Drive in Arlington is taking a different approach, using their land to build a now 8-story mixed-use building which will contain a new church (replacing the existing church), daycare center, fellowship hall, and 119 apartments above these facilities. These are just a handful of similar projects the firm is working on.

Take a look at all of the current projects by DCS Design for some inspiration and a peek at what to expect in your local urban metro.

The post The Urbanization of America: How Institutional Evolution is Changing the Landscape of Architectural Design appeared first on DCS Design.

In a picture-perfect world, all the design elements would be defined, approved, and remain relatively unchanged from the initial concept all throughout the completion of the project – a perfectly linear process from beginning to end. But in the world of architectural design, it rarely works out that way.

In fact, the whole process ends up looking more like a team race, one that can only be won by making sure all the participants make it to the finish line together. The tricky part is that more and more team members join the fray as the race continues, and every individual has to do their part to make sure the newly-combined group successfully reaches the shared goal together. This is why collaboration and teamwork are incredibly important skills in our day-to-day work.

Making the Puzzle Pieces Fit

Good design rarely happens in a vacuum. Quite the opposite! The success of any design firm (as well as the success of its partners) is contingent on merging a myriad of design ideas, concepts, and objectives from different groups in a way that ultimately aligns with a client’s vision. The challenge is oftentimes, the design is determined well before branding, creating additional costs and scheduling setbacks for everyone.

Whereas the architectural design team is involved from the very beginning of the project, branding agencies oftentimes come in at later stages in the design process. This lapse of coordination can greatly affect the architectural design, which at this stage is well established, resulting in the teams having to scramble to align the design with the brand.

Consider the common situation in which the colors of a space suddenly need to be changed to align with the newly-approved brand style guide as the space is ready to begin the construction phase. Or a new logo has been developed which could affect the entire design theme. Or a building has been designed to create a specific presence and attract a certain tenant or resident demographic – and then the building is named something to the contrary. In these instances, speed and decisive action are of the absolute essence if both architectural design and branding teams want to avoid serious setbacks for their clients.

Our Solution

In considering these all-too-common instances, wouldn’t it make sense if the brand was being developed along-side of the design? And by team members who have access to the same information…and to each other?

As a solution, we have created DCS Elevation, our in-house branding division. During the Visioning and Discovery process, the architectural and branding teams work together to gather and share information critical to both aspects of the process. The DCS Elevation team then develops the brand identity, messaging, and appropriate brand components, and works closely with the design team to ensure all are incorporated into the architectural design.

By providing a single-firm approach to both these vital design components, we can save our clients time and money while creating a more unified project approach. Most importantly, we create award-winning designs which showcase our clients’ unique brand to achieve their goals.

Races can be challenging, but the finish line is most attainable when running a well-orchestrated relay – and being handed the baton by someone who’s worked beside you the entire way.

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