New figures revealing 20% rise in smoking-related fires during pandemic demonstrate urgent need to replace combustible materials

With the world still in the grip of COVID-19, the built environment is having to respond. While lockdown is easing, it is being done on the condition that social distancing and hygiene are top of the agenda for individuals and businesses. This means changes to the places we work, shop and relax; changes that are likely to remain until next year at least.

As many companies begin thinking about a return to the office following lockdown, it’s clear that we are entering a new era of workplace design. Being socially distant in an office environment presents many challenges, but it’s a factor we will have to live with for months, or potentially even years, writes Laura Light, Concept Design Team Leader at Interface.

2020 will not be easily forgotten. With the loss of so many loved ones, the financial impact of being furloughed or losing one’s job, as well as witnessing the struggles of officials attempting to manage the situation, it’s certain that the impact of coronavirus will stay with us for a long time. However, from the depths of this crisis and its negative impact, there are hidden pockets of positivity, says Alan Dowdall, Associate at Ramboll UK.

The current pandemic has generated a pressing need to radically adapt virtually all indoor space, from hospitals to hotels, from commercial offices to education facilities. Responding to this, Style, the UK’s market leading operable wall specialist, has launched a new ‘social distancing’ section of their website, highlighting exactly how modern moveable partitioning systems can be effectively utilised to create safer environments for everyone.

F. Ball and Co. Ltd. has helped to support frontline NHS workers as part of SalutetheNHS.org, a major non-profit initiative, set up to provide one million nutritious, free meals to these vital NHS staff over a three-month period as they have fought the coronavirus pandemic.

James Stephens, Managing Director of Offsite Solutions, looks at how bathroom and utility pods are helping contractors in the coronavirus pandemic.

Ventilation specialist Vortice has long been supplying air handling units for the food, leisure and the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, but if Covid-19 has taught us anything, it is the vital importance of clean, fresh, filtered indoor air for our health and wellbeing.

UK manufacturer Glassolutions has launched a free-standing COVID-19 desk-top glass sneeze guard, ideal for social distancing in offices.

As businesses set about returning to the workplace, ensuring staff and customer safety and complying with Government guidelines will be a priority. How can screens help businesses quickly adapt their offices and their shop floors to offer protection and peace of mind for all without lengthy and costly reconfiguration issues? Simon Boocock, Managing Director of CRL Europe, takes a look.