Designing Outdoor Spaces for a Post-COVID World

Outdoor public spaces have undergone a transformation as of late. With citizens staying indoors and everyone keeping their distance, post-COVID public space design is on every landscape architect’s mind. Design philosophy has changed, and architects are now embracing creativity in adapting during a pandemic and in a post-pandemic world.

Mark K. Morrison is the President and CEO of MKM, a landscape architecture firm based in Rochelle, NY. He has over forty years of professional design experience as a landscape architect, and recently sat down with our team to discuss public space design post-COVID and beyond.

 
 

Design Philosophy From March 2020 and Beyond

According to Mr. Morrison, his core design philosophy hasn’t changed. While his firm is certainly paying closer attention to social distancing, both commercial and residential projects for younger populations remain unchanged.
But for older populations, distance is key. These clients may still be socializing but it’s at a safe distance from others — even if it’s their own children. For this demographic, moveable furniture and larger terraces are key. The idea of portability when it comes to outdoor spaces is more important than it’s ever been.

Techo bloc white paper commercial slab grey rooftop city image 2
Techo bloc white paper commercial slab grey rooftop city image 2

Design Philosophy From March 2020 and Beyond

According to Mr. Morrison, his core design philosophy hasn’t changed. While his firm is certainly paying closer attention to social distancing, both commercial and residential projects for younger populations remain unchanged.
But for older populations, distance is key. These clients may still be socializing but it’s at a safe distance from others — even if it’s their own children. For this demographic, moveable furniture and larger terraces are key. The idea of portability when it comes to outdoor spaces is more important than it’s ever been.

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