This is the second entry in our blog series exploring the development of a realistic, hypothetical mass timber hotel through the points of view of a developer, a design & construction team, an operator, and a guest. Check out our first entry: the Developer perspective. Golden panels of cross-laminated timber soar out toward a tree-tipped […]
The use of mass timber construction is gaining momentum in the US; however, its aesthetic, construction, and sustainability advantages remain largely unexplored for hotels. Our multi-disciplinary team has begun exploring the construction of hotels with mass timber by examining the potential advantages and challenges that would be encountered in envisioning and bringing to market a […]
Back in June, two teams from the SERA workplace studio submitted for an international competition hosted by Work Design Magazine. We are proud to announce that both submissions made it to the finals — one receiving an honorable mention, and the other named WINNER! With the ongoing pandemic, the competition posed a less idealistic question […]
Header photo: GreenWorks While coronavirus and the attendant economic crisis have walloped Main Streets across the nation, Portland’s Denver Avenue is again going through a vibrant new transformation. The Kenton Business Association, working closely with Portland’s Bureau of Transportation and Salazar Architect, have created the Denver Avenue Plaza – prioritizing parts of the roadway […]
Throughout the pandemic, library facilities have continued serving their customers. While many library buildings remain closed to patron use, most provide at least limited services to the degree community leaders and staff feel is appropriate and safe. Especially in these times, where there’s a high reliance on technology and electronic resources, libraries are providing a […]
A while back, I made a site visit to review two different guestroom prototypes for our client’s consideration. The temporary rooms were constructed with walls, ceilings and floors, and fully furnished. The prototypes were reviewed, one was selected, and just like that — everything in the two rooms became obsolete. Luckily, members of the design […]
SERA has set our ever-tentative return-to-office date in mid-September (primarily so we can celebrate in-person our love of the oh-so-wonderful hyphen). No matter your industry or the size of your organization, returning to the work environment will require clear communication and experimentation with new ways to accommodate the high-value (and even the low-value) interactions that […]
In May, the CDC released sweeping recommendations for preventing the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace. While many of the strategies expectedly focus on social distancing, improving ventilation and modifying behavior in the office, one surprising admonition involves how employees actually get to and from work. The CDC suggests that employers provide incentives for workers […]
Covid-19 has profoundly influenced the planet, presenting deep challenges for people and businesses. Many people are stressed and even fearful — nervous about others‘ and their own health, and the state of the world in general. We face physical separation from our colleagues, clients, friends and even relatives. It’s hard to go from daily interaction […]
Recently the SERA Workplace studio had an informal town hall-style meeting over Teams. Each member of the studio was asked to think about the following questions and come prepared to share their innermost feelings (or at least speak candidly). ♦ What do you miss about being in the office? ♦ What brings value to you […]