In the past few weeks, the world has reacted in incredible ways to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most architecture firms are working remotely, either at their own decision or at the direction of local authorities. It would be reasonable to assume that most construction projects might be significantly impacted – if they haven’t been already. Architecture firms are undoubtedly facing difficult decisions as they deal with the impact of COVID-19. Often, those decisions will require firms to balance competing interests and obligations without a clear “right” answer. Daunting as it may seem, with mounting uncertainty, a proactive, systematic, and reasoned approach to answering the plethora of questions facing firms will be the best way forward¹.

This document is intended to be a resource for architects and architecture firms in developing a firm-specific response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a non-exhaustive list of issues to identify and consider in an effort to help shape firm discussions and decision-making. It is not, however, intended to provide guidance as to how architects and architecture firms should resolve these issues, as those decisions will need to be made in consultation with legal, insurance, and other professionals, and based upon a multitude of factors, to include the firm’s size, location, clientele, project types, project statuses, etc.

This document begins with a resource list and suggestions for dealing with federal, state, and local guidance and restrictions. The document next addresses your current work, providing a set of relevant considerations for projects that will continue during the pandemic, as well as those that will not. Finally, the document concludes with some factors related to work you either have not yet started or are in the process of pursuing.

Guidance and restrictions from local, state, and federal government