Considering the different stages of the current, prolonged pandemic crisis, it's important to consider a creative way to improve the post-pandemic transition. A RIBA competition is questioning what aspects of life should be improved and your ideas, as architects, offering a positive and tangible response to one or more of the issues arising from the coronavirus. This competition is in collaboration with the international ARUP Group.

While some employees are working from home, with reduced hours, some not working at all. If you have been working as a full - time employee at an office, then you should understand and accept that it's going to be a bit different in the post - pandemic period. A RIBA article explains' "many practices are looking ahead and questioning whether their existing workspaces will continue to be necessary in their current form". According to their survey and architects' interviews, a PBWC article states ''Offices should enable: project – focused collaboration, quiet work and reflection, nurturing and mental wellbeing of staff; a space sharable with the community and local business and a place for feeding staff (literally and metaphorically)". Ian Harris, Managing Director of Maber, mentions in the article that "offices will inevitably require less space, as more people work from home. They can respond by evolving into better, more interesting spaces". "It will probably lead to new ways of working and perhaps even new building regulations", writes Stephen Glands, Director of Architecture & Design at Macdonald & Company. It certainly raises questions as to how to manage the offices and companies nowadays and design office space in such a way that creates calmness and nurtures your mood and working rhythm. To have a view on the nature from your home or office space is a vital part of feeding your mental health, breathing clean air with oxygen and strengthening productivity while working.

Another question raised in the last month was around higher education. What is going on with higher education and on - line education needs?  This has to be available and made for all technological advices, as well as to update and give instructions for those in need when doing online lecturing. It's important that students feel their educators and teachers care for their students and their well – being as well, especially with the frustrations that can surround work and health.

If you are freelancing, it might be harder for you to understand where to find work and which companies are seeking new employees, then how you are going to work on your professional certification or defending your Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3 student thesis online or via e - mail. Universities must have quickly adapted their approach with all sections involved; while sending out your exams and work, they must be in accordance to data regulation, GDPR, abroad or in your area of work. Discovering new opportunities and learning, developing skills that will benefit you as a person and your work while being isolated, in quarantine or post- pandemic, will provide you with the chance for your career to flourish. There are plenty of learning websites and platforms giving opportunities to move forward, attend digital webinars, events, such as RIBA online learning and Futurelearn. 

The first thing to realise is that it is normal to be feeling worried, sad, anxious, angry and craving for human contact, holidays and new opportunities. While working at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic and post - pandemic, being connected to nature and nurturing your surrounding is a vital part of sustainability in architecture for staying positive, confident and enhancing your work productivity.

Top image courtesy of Emina Čamdžic