Socially Distancing in Multi-family Design: How COVID19 will affect building amenities

Who could have imagined our lives would change so dramatically in just a few short months? We are all wondering how these changes will affect our lives moving forward. We are asking ourselves, “What will our new ‘Normal’ be? More importantly, how will this affect me?” The unprecedented events of these past months have forced us to make many changes in our lives, our daily routines. True, some habits formed now may well dissipate as we move back into our old routines, or variations thereof. However, other habits will become an accepted part of our lives.

Eventually, we will return to some semblance of normal, but not without at least some long-term changes. End-users will drive many of these changes, based on needs created by this ‘new normal’. Now is the time to look to the future and truly consider what must change, particularly in multi-family dwellings where many people share common spaces.

What does this mean for we interior designers?

As we work with property managers to prepare for the new normal, we must reconsider our approach to communal spaces to make them safe and inviting for those who use them. Let’s take a look at some things to things to take into consideration as we embark upon redesigning multi-family dwellings.

Business Centers have long been a desirable amenity in Multi-family dwellings. They will become even more important as organizations begin adopting the work-from-home model as part of the company culture. Smart business leaders are realizing that working from home has not decreased employee productivity. And, they see working from home as enticing to new talent and retaining valuable long-term employees. Apartment living is not always conducive to setting up an in-home office. This makes a well-appointed and carefully planned Business Center hugely attractive.

Social distancing will continue to be a major consideration for at least the foreseeable future. This means work areas must be further apart, yet still within convenient proximity to printers, copy machines, and other office equipment. High speed, reliable WiFi capacity must increase which may require some design modifications.

More and more people will rely on both personal and business-related packages. People will expect timely, efficient notification of package delivery without the need for additional human contact. A viable solution to both needs is installation of automated lockers that immediately notify renters of package delivery. Apartment dwellers will also expect on-site package shipping options, another important function of a well-planned business center.

The communal mailbox area has long been a spot for gathering and a bone of contention among multi-family dwellers. This is where neighbors used to catch up while picking up their mail. But, people are not as apt to gather – at least for now – so these areas may need to be rethought so that people queue rather than cluster. Notoriously littered with unwanted flyers and junk mail, the concern over the potential for becoming ill from handling mail is likely to add to the issue. Rather than a single trash can or recycle bin, these spaces should be designed in a way that attractively incorporates multiple drop spots to encourage users to toss, not litter.

As interior designers, we know the value of virtual tours. These tours allow potential renters to view different models and floor layouts, as well as discover offered amenities that make a particular multi-family building more appealing. In this new age of social distancing and continual disinfecting, it is quite possible that digital tours will become the norm in apartment renting. Still, it’s hard to imagine that renters will sign a lease without first physically visiting the property. After all, digital tours cannot convey certain things, and they distort others. The first impression of the property, the scents – and sometimes not so great smells, the ambiance, the activity level and flow are something a digital tour simply cannot convey.

While a micro unit might seem like a good idea from a cost perspective, it is impossible to make an educated decision without seeing just how small – and functional – micro really is. We all know digital images can be enhanced. Can one truly trust that the ambiance of a property without physically seeing and experiencing it?

Noise, both outside and within, cannot be judged through digital. Nor do you get a sense of natural light in an individual unit without physically stepping inside. Perhaps there is opportunity for us as designers to assist our clients in workable solutions for at least some, if not all of these things.

There will continue to be a high demand for multi-family dwellings, particularly in high-density urban areas and bedroom communities. But, without doubt, developers and property managers are going to be rethinking these environments. As designers we have the opportunity to help in reshaping apartment living, creating environments that truly address the needs and desires of tenants. We have the opportunity to step up, helping not only our clients, but ourselves and our companies. This is our chance to shine, to help make multi-family dwelling more inviting and functional in the future.