Metal Architecture, Jan 2021

metalarchitecture com January 2021 METAL ARCHITECTURE 15 for the next year is as optimistic as we have ever seen driven by the explosion in the housing market Note that market by market nearly all markets for new work proposals show increases next year Special note to those in the metal architecture design business there will be a dramatic uptick in industrial warehouse facilities If owners want to expand in any way a supply of cash will not be a problem in 2021 Design innovation revolution Entering our new normal society nearly all design firms will put into their 2021 and beyond design work hundreds of new ways to deal with sustainability fire proofing technology and air handling Every day we learn about another new way to do things driven by the COVID 19 crisis We will not go back to the old normal as buildings transportation systems facilities management and all other facets of our industry evolve and drive into our lexicon the language of innovation in design Just today we learned about a company that has patented a new fireproofing chemical coating for steel that might have prevented the World Trade Center from collapsing So watch carefully every innovative technology that will change forever how we build everything Shift in society With every major catastrophe we observe massive changes in society World War II gave us the entry of millions of women into the workforce Our last recession changed all the banking and investment rules and now COVID 19 gives us the work shop play from anyplace society So what does this mean for design and construction Here are my predictions Continued shift of people out of cities into resort and suburb housing as they work from anyplace Less business travel Re design of nearly all shopping centers and office buildings Significantly more attention to sustainable design and flexible design with the useful life of buildings being reduced from decades to years to months Continued triple digit explosion in technology in all aspects of life Resurgence of music concerts of all types major sporting events tradeshows conventions and leisure travel starting in as early as June 2021 FINALLY Like the Roaring 20s as we come out of COVID 19 expect that our human desire to get back together with other humans will rapidly drive back nearly all of the restaurant entertainment business worldwide Bars will once again flourish and you and I will again look forward may be even more to shaking hands not elbows at a design construction industry live event Frank A Stasiowski FAIA is an architect author futurist and strategy consultant globally He is CEO of PSMJ Resources Inc Newton Mass a design industry think tank In 1990 with Sam Milnark cofounder of Modern Trade Communications he created the METALCON tradeshow and conference which is the largest metal architecture tradeshow in the world industry is that it doesnt expect to be back to normal for another couple of years Perhaps thats being too pessimistic Many people are addicted to travel Immunizations that are now expected to blanket the population by next summer will provide the confidence for passengers to once again pack planes And they are currently padding their bank accounts to do so More people in motion will also be a huge boost to the hotel and motel industry which is currently in a deep funk Room occupancy rates jobs levels and capital spending in the accommodation sector in 2020 have all nose dived EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH CARE PROJECTS The steadiness in property tax income will prop up K 12 school facility capital spending with more emphasis being placed on renovation work for the time being At the level of higher education the portion of the business model de