How should we design for healing in response to emergency situations? The COVID-19 pandemic continues to put healthcare systems around the world to the ultimate test. From staffing to equipment to facilities, hospitals have bravely and expertly maximized their resources – managing surge capacities, delivering acute and critical care, and doing more with less in a remarkably short period of time. As every day yields new lessons learned, the pandemic challenges us to identify and respond to potential vulnerabilities going forward.

In the world of banking, the challenges of maintaining compliance with federal regulations are as formidable as they are necessary. Among the myriad requirements, those related to lighting are particularly emblematic of the balancing act banks face — ensuring the safety and security of their guests and employees while striving for energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

Lighting in banking institutions is more than a matter of simple illumination; it is a critical component of a complex security apparatus. The federal government mandates specific lighting requirements, not as arbitrary benchmarks, but as carefully considered measures to deter crime and create a secure environment for customers and staff alike.

Compliance Challenges

Adhering to these requirements, however, is no simple task, presenting a multifaceted challenge, with each bank facing a unique set of obstacles. And the rapid pace of technological advancement in lighting and security systems means that what is compliant today may not be tomorrow. Banks must remain agile, adapting to new standards while managing costs.

Banks are not mere transactional spaces; they are also symbolic fortresses of trust and stability. The architectural design must integrate lighting solutions that meet compliance requirements without compromising the integrity of the design language that communicates these values.

Lighting systems are capital investments with long-term operational costs. Financial institutions must navigate the fine line between initial investment in compliant, high-quality lighting and the operational expenses, such as energy consumption and maintenance.

The push for sustainability adds another layer to the challenge. Banks must comply not only with safety and security regulations but also with environmental standards, opting for eco-friendly lighting solutions that can sometimes come at a premium.

Location also plays a significant role in lighting requirements. What works in an urban setting might not suffice in a rural or suburban context, where ambient lighting is less prevalent, and the risks differ. Requirements of zoning ordinances and overlay districts, proximities to airports, and landscape design play pivotal roles in building and site lighting design and selection.

The complexity of the regulatory environment cannot be overstated. Banks must navigate a labyrinth of local, state, and federal regulations, which can often be a moving target due to legislative changes and updates.

Navigation Strategies

To tackle these challenges, banks must invest in adaptive lighting technologies that can be easily updated to meet evolving standards. Smart lighting systems that can be controlled and adjusted remotely offer one such solution. Architects and designers should work closely with compliance experts to embed lighting requirements into the initial design phase, ensuring that functionality and form are aligned.

By conducting thorough lifecycle cost analyses, banks can understand the long-term implications of their lighting systems, making informed decisions that balance cost with compliance. Regular audits can also help banks assess their environmental impact and identify compliant lighting solutions that reduce both their carbon footprint and their energy bills.

Keeping in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, banks and designers must partner to devise location-specific approaches, tailoring their lighting strategies to the unique challenges and risks of each site. They should also stay engaged with the regulatory process to anticipate changes and influence standards that impact operations.

The path to compliance for banks is as complex as the regulations that govern them. As architects, we play a pivotal role in this journey, not just by designing spaces that meet today’s standards but by envisioning environments that can adapt to the demands of tomorrow. It is through this lens that we must view the challenge of lighting compliance — not as a hurdle but as an opportunity to innovate, to secure, and to shine.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle has named Trilith the Real Estate Deal of the Year.

NELSON not only served as the architect of record for Trilith LIVE, we provided comprehensive architecture and interior design services for Trilith Guesthouse, a boutique hotel part of Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio. Trilith Guesthouse opened in January with 191 hotel rooms carrying the theme of its creative surroundings. Oliver’s Twist Bar & View, giving a nod toward the classic Charles Dickens novel, is on the rooftop.

Read more about the recent award here.

While the hospitality industry resets, now is the time perfect time to show your hotel property some TLC and ensure it’s in the best shape it can be when guests return. From sanitizing to rearranging or simply taking new photos of your space, there are endless things you and your team can do so that when COVID-19 passes you’ll be booking rooms more than ever.

This week, we’re giving you all the tips and tricks on prepping, composing and capturing the best shots of your property. According to Trivago, hotels on booking websites with high-quality photos have a 63% higher click-through rate—but we know getting the perfect shot can be tricky when rooms and amenity spaces are full with guests. So, while your space is empty take advantage of the opportunity to make sure your space looks great online.

Prep The Shots

• Make a list of the shots you want to get
• Think about the time of day you will shoot
• Avoid shooting when the sun will be hitting the windows/area directly
• Clean and straighten the shot areas
• Wipe all surfaces down, sweep all the floors
• Look for glares on glass in picture frames or mirrors—close blinds or curtains to eliminate.
• Fluff up pillows and straighten and iron duvets/sheets
• Remove any extra or unsightly items (like trash cans or unapproved signage)

Compose Your Shots

1. Turn on all the lights you can, even in adjacent areas for light spill over
   • Position yourself in back corner so you can to get the widest view of the room. Shooting diagonally across the room will give a better result than shooting parallel or perpendicular to the walls.
2. Take a test shot to see how everything looks and then adjust
3. Adjust furniture to fill the frame of the picture, cutting down on bare areas
   • Consider pulling furniture out from the edges of a room to fill the bare spots
   • Or aligning/spacing furniture differently than you would when guests are around – there are no need for walkways in photos!

Take Your Shots

• If you have a tripod, use it! If not, try to find a table or something stable to set your camera on
• Utilize the self-timer mode—this as well will also help to stabilize the shot

Now that you’re equipped with everything you need to know about polishing up your property photos, it’s time to get those perfect shots! For more  information on how-to navigate the impacts of COVID-19, visit our support and insights page here.

The world of work has undergone tremendous change in the last three years. During that time, NELSON has designed 1.5 million square feet of legal workspace for 28 different law firms. Fundamental to our approach has been asking questions that push beyond the borders of a particular project: Rather than responding solely to requests for design services, we explore firm objectives, operational methods, and culture to develop solutions that truly respond to deep organizational needs.

This has given us a unique perspective on what makes a successful legal workplace. We have distilled that knowledge into five core insights that can guide firms as they think about creating contemporary workplaces.

Amenities have a profound effect on the value of a building, and new unique experiences make a lasting impression for consumers, employees, hotel guests, and residents. Our mixed-use teammates set out to explore current and future amenity trends in our latest blog series, The Amenity Effect. Follow along as we dive deep into the environments where we work, shop, live, and thrive and take a closer look at the amenities that help make these environments flourish.

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After highlighting some thoughts on live and work, it’s time to unpack the play amenities that make up vibrant shopping destinations. Now more than ever, consumers are looking for a differentiated shopping experience, and amenities like ride share lounges, curbside pickup, and locally-driven food halls are replacing outdated mall offerings of the past. 

Earlier this year, we set out to discover what experiential, new offerings shoppers were looking for by creating a retail amenity challenge in the absence of this year’s March Madness tournament.  The top choice for 2020, a beer garden, highlighted consumers’ desires for unique food and beverage concepts that allow them to connect with friends and family, unwind, and tap into a more localized offering. When stay at home orders were lifted, people flocked to these venues, seeking that outdoor social ambiance.

Concert venue came in at a close second, which confirms consumers’ on-going attraction to experiences over products. People are inherently drawn to music, and while it may be awhile before stadiums are selling out again, there is always a place for live music at a local shopping center.

Farmer’s market and nature trail amenities tied for third revealing consumers’ growing interest in wellness. From fresh food opportunities, to fitness, this overarching theme should continue to be a focus for every development.

There aren’t many new malls being built, but as the big box anchors go dark and the redevelopment opportunities present themselves, we can position the right mix of amenities to enrich an existing center.  NELSON works through many of these redevelopments around the country and we’re noticing that providing programming and experiences to attract and retain consumers is key.

More amenities and service offerings that enhance and bring value to a shopping destination:

• Concierge services – Providing not just valet ride share pickup areas but spaces, environments, and even lounges help improve the experience of arrival and departure from a property
• Curbside pickup and returns – Develop creative ways to utilize excess parking and retail space to set up mini distribution within shopping centers to safely and efficiently deliver merchandise to the consumer

NELSON Worldwide Rendering – Pickup and Returns Concierge Box

• Hands-free shopping – Consumers shop hands-free and when they are done, arrive to a central distribution hub to gather their purchases and be on their way
• Hobby tenants –There is a place in the shopping center mix for the creative community in maker shops, places where people can come to learn how to use tools, 3D printing, computer programs and take classes to further develop their creative hobbies
• Outdoor venues – Plazas that serve up splash fountains, ice skating rinks, movies in the park, outdoor fitness, fashion shows, and artist guilds help energize a center’s value
• Patio dining – As tenants themselves seek additional outdoor dining, developers are looking for opportunities to integrate communal dining al fresco experiences
• Interactive technology – From kids play areas, to walkways and stairwells, integrating next level technology and lighting can provide for experiential exploration throughout these centers
• Crossover space/Pop-ups – Taking advantage of those in-between spaces along secondary pathways can provide opportunities for micro tenants and enhance a curated experience throughout a property  

S-Factory – Seoul, South Korea

The Works – El Segundo, CA

It’s important as designers that we balance programmatic needs of the client with human nature to curate inspiring environments and experiences.  Social connectivity with physical distancing may be today’s design problem, but we must plan with flexibility for a better tomorrow.

This year, retail brands are facing new challenges as shoppers return to stores and have a new outlook on fulfilling their holiday shopping lists after the height of the pandemic. Brands must rapidly evolve to stand out among competitors by ramping up their holiday strategies both online and in-store.

This holiday season we are sharing key insights that will drive retail transformation into the new year. Download the full report today.