Building in a Post-COVID World: Adapting to Material and Skill Shortages
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a ripple effect on industries worldwide, and the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is no exception. One of the biggest challenges we’re facing is a shortage of skilled workers and materials. This can be a real headache for architects who have designed their projects around specific products or skill sets.
Imagine this: you’ve meticulously planned and documented your project, only to find that the materials or expertise you need are suddenly unavailable. This can lead to delays, cost overruns, and a whole lot of frustration. It’s like ordering a gourmet pizza and getting a plain cheese one instead.
One of the tricky issues that can arise is a change in wall thickness. This might not sound like a big deal, but it can actually affect the overall size of your building. That means you might have to go back to the drawing board to make sure your design still complies with planning regulations.
So, what’s the solution? We believe it’s all about planning for the unexpected. When designing a building, it’s important to consider the possibility that certain materials or skills might not be available when construction time comes. One way to do this is to create “flex zones” in your design. For example, you could allow for external “wall zones” that can accommodate changes in wall thickness without affecting the overall layout of your building.
By thinking ahead and planning for flexibility, we can minimize the impact of these shortages and keep our projects on track. After all, in a world where change is the only constant, adaptability is the key to success.
