Innovation from Crisis: What innovations will remain in ‘the new normal'?

Companies in the built environment industry across the world have adapted to working in the current crisis, utilising new ideas and technologies to keep projects moving and to win new work.

Ackroyd Lowrie have been at the forefront of technological developments in the architectural field, and during lockdown, developed innovative solutions using VR to keep clients and planners engaged on projects. We were curious to find out how other companies have changed the way they work, and would these shifts be permanent? 

To explore this subject we organised a virtual round table discussion with guests from different areas of the built environment industry giving their perspective and experience of innovation during the current climate, chaired by Dr Jane Clossick, Senior Lecturer on Architecture and Urbanism at The Cass with speakers including:

Ian Anderson, Chief Executive of Iceni Projects who are now offering clients remote site visits by drone useful for multiple stages of the design process from initial site survey appraisals, all the way up to committee presentations ensuring that development potential is realised effectively remotely.  

Jacob Sandelson, General Projects, who are a contemporary real estate developer, designing and delivering creative, inspiring and experiential buildings for an ambitious new generation.

Christian Klapp, Founder of Eversleigh LLP has developed a new online consultation platform for planning applications and official borough specific meetings again allowing for remote access and project sign off allowing projects to continue being realised in a period of social distancing. 

Oliver Lowrie, Director, Ackroyd Lowrie, who have created a full service VR strategy for projects allowing more stakeholders to really understand the building they are commissioning, and as a result, create better cities filled with buildings that work for the people that use them.

We’re producing a short video with each speaker to summarize the event so will be sharing this soon.