Covid-19: 7 Tips for architects working from home

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has disrupted nearly all facets of human life – forcing about three billion people to remain in their homes.

Millions of workers around the world, including architects and other construction professionals, have been asked to work from home to curb the spread of the deadly virus that has so far claimed the lives of more than 42,000 people.

If you are among architects working from home, the following tips from a home office staffer will help you stay productive and maintain a good work-life balance.

General advice

1.) Observe official guidelines.

Above anything else, it is important to follow the advice of top organisations involved in the fight against the coronavirus. Read the latest guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the ministry of health.

2.) Do not panic.

It is understandable and normal to become worried during this time of a global pandemic. However, you need to remain calm by limiting your consumption of Covid-19 coverage. It is not helpful at all to keep an up-to-the-minute tracker of confirmed cases and death tolls.  

Getting down to business

3.) Set up a workstation.

Just like in an office setting, you need to establish a dedicated work area. This does not have to occupy an entire room. It can be a corner in your living room or bedroom and it has to be arranged in such a way that it inspires productivity. The area should be well-ventilated.

4.) Move your projects online.

Thanks to technology, most design systems currently offer cloud-based services such as Graphisoft BIMx, and Autodesk BIM 360. You can also mirror your office computer’s screen with your home laptop through apps such as AeroAdmin, RealVNC Connect, and Splashtop.

READ: Coronavirus lockdown hits Kenya’s construction industry

5.) Move the design process online.

To meet the needs of architects seeking to work outside the office setting, a growing number of programs – including Morpholio – are refashioning themselves to allow designers to sketch, design, and present drawings to clients without having to plan a physical meeting.

6.) Move documents to cloud.

Cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Sync.com allow users to store and share information in a secure system that integrates effortlessly with your PC’s file explorer.

7.) Plan virtual meetings.

Covid-19 has limited travel. This, however, does not mean architects cannot hold meetings anymore. Google Meet, which only requires a Google account to operate, is a great tool for conducting virtual meetings.

Zoom, a cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, is ideal for those seeking to conduct extensive video conferences to maintain a sense of community among staff.

Last but not least, create a health work-life balance. Examine your working hours to see if you can accomplish your usual 8-hour workload in a shorter duration. This will give you more time to relax and enjoy the company of your loved ones.

Be sure to detach from work, by leaving your home workstation, after office hours.

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