Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic bringing the country to a standstill, there is, in fact, a future ahead of us.

And across Mansfield and Ashfield that future looks very bright - with dozens of new housing, construction and retail developments on their way to change the face of the region.

Be it through new distribution centres, huge new retail parks, a hotel or a supermarket, the region has got a lot to look forward to in the coming years.

Nottinghamshire Live has put together this list of the five biggest developments arriving in our area over the coming months.

With them are the arrival of more than 3,000 jobs, new transport links and more opportunities for shoppers, workers and tourists to the area.

The Summit Park development is by far the biggest of the five major moves on this list, bringing with it up to 1,800 jobs, transport and bus links and a huge, international retailer.

The land at Summit Park had been set aside in 2014 to become a new state-of-the-art logistics and business park, with officials in Mansfield and Ashfield District Councils describing it as the beginning of a rise in skilled employment in the area.

However, no progress was ever made on finding developers to move onto the land and it has remained derelict since the initial plans were announced in July 2014.

Yet last year plans were approved for a huge distribution warehouse across a 162,781sqm facility, in what was described by council officials as "the biggest single private sector investment in the district".

Construction is expected to finish on the site by September 2020, with the major international retailer expected to reveal itself in the coming months.

Plans for the final phase of a massive 46 million retail and industrial scheme were approved in November 2019 - bringing more than 1,000 jobs.

Park 38, opposite the East Midlands Designer Outlet at South Normanton, will see a new retail park created on farmland, as well as industrial units.

The first phase of the scheme for 10 retail units and a 95-bedroom hotel was approved a few years ago, however phase two involves building a number of warehouse and distribution units, including a trade counter or gym.

Documents submitted by Q and A Planning, on behalf Limes Developments, said: There will be substantial economic benefits arising from the proposed development comprising new jobs, gross value added to the economy, additional business rates for the council and spin-off benefits for the construction and operational supply chains.

Construction work on the new 22,000 sq ft Lidl supermarket at its Leeming Lane development in Mansfield began in February, the developer behind the project confirmed.

The new store is expected to open in summer, bringing dozens of new jobs to the local area.

Property development and investment group Strawsons Property agreed a long-term lease with the retailer in 2018.

It has since worked alongside the popular supermarket brand to secure planning approval for the site, which was granted by Mansfield District Council at the end of last year.

Plans to convert the former Strand Cinema and bingo hall site into five retail units and office space were approved in October 2019 - bringing with it the potential for dozens of jobs.

The Strand Retail Centre, submitted by the ARBA Group, will bring the demolition of the historic site in Church Street, Warsop, making way for new development.

Frozen food retailer Heron Foods confirmed in May last year that it will be the first to take up one of five available retail spaces at development.

And the ARBA Group says the plan will "generate opportunities" for the parish.

Andrew Allen, ARBA director, said: This site has been derelict for some time, and it is clear that local people want to see something done with it that benefits the local community."

Despite the ongoing pandemic temporarily halting its construction, work is still progressing on the new 4 million Travelodge in Mansfield town centre.

The site, which brings with it up to 15 hotel jobs as well as in construction, will be the towns first national chain hotel and based on the old Gala Bingo hall, on the corner of Albert Street.

It will be the firms second hotel in the area, after Travelodge Mansfield, Mansfield Road, Sutton.

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokeswoman, said: The local economy is growing at pace and, with increasing visitor numbers to the area, there is a shortage of good quality and great value accommodation to meet customer demand.

"Therefore, there is a need for a second Travelodge in the heart of Mansfield."

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5 major developments that will bring thousands of jobs to Mansfield and Ashfield - Nottinghamshire Live

At 6 p.m. on Monday April 6, Salida City Council, joined by the Salida planning commission, did a virtual sit down via GoToMeeting to discuss an update on the Land Use Code. The overall goal of the Land Code Use plan is to make it easier to develop what the Salida community wants. The key theme within the project is to improve user friendliness.

City Council, coupled with the Salida Planning Commission, discussed the intricacies of the new Land Use Code (LUC).

A wide variety of housing opportunities for affordable housing was presented. The team hopes to further explore Co-housing, live-work units, dormitory-style, and boarding house buildings, options that would lend themselves to the seasonal nature of workforce housing within Salida. These options would increase flexibility and coincide with the communitys concerns. There is no quick solution for affordable and workforce housing, however a more flexible use of the new code is the first step to improving the shortage.

An architectural rendering shows the view of the proposed Salida Crossings condominium development as seen by west-bound traffic on U.S. Highway 50 (courtesy image).

Parking standards were also a main point of discussion, specifically making sure standards dont prevent desirable growth. The team says that it hopes to implement parking that is sufficient without being overly restrictive. This might be achieved by looking at maximum number of parking spaces and limiting huge parking lots that would affect aesthetics and walk-ability of the community. The goal is to not create too much parking that sits empty much of the time.

By updating the zoning districts, the LUC will streamline existing zoning and could create new districts for agriculture, parks and open space and community facilities. The changes made to the new code will allow manufactured homes within certain locations, the example given was R3 and R4 zones. A question was raised if the community would consider allowing manufactured housing in an manufactured housing park. Manufactured housing is a possible solution for affordable housing. Distinctions were also made for modular housing, making definitions and semantics important for each.

The meeting went in depth on the LUC Assessment report, which is the second step in the project scope and timeline. The assessment report documents whats working well, what regulations need to be improved, potential solutions and options, an outline to organize the new land use code, and identifying future additional implementation issues. It is organized by six key recommendations:

There are many ways to make the new code a clear, more user-friendly document. By improving the code, it will make it easier for the public, creating standard procedures. The overall goal is to simplify the process. By reorganizing the use regulations, it will become the standard, therefore streamlining the process, saving time for staff, developers and the Planning Commission. Expanding the household dwelling types (specifically housing with multiple units scattered throughout the community) is perceived as a key outcome.

For next steps, the first draft of the code will be done in late April. The public draft is expected to follow in June. For more information follow the link to the Land Use Code Rewrite packet. To contact the team email:

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Opportunity for Public Opinion: The Salida work Session on Land Use Code Explores New Affordable Housing Opportunities and Parking Regulations. - by...

The manufactured housing is commonly known as mobile homes in the United States. It is a type of prefabricated housing that is largely assembled in factories and then transported to sites of use. The affordability of manufactured housing is owing to the efficiencies of the factory-building process. These homes are constructed with standard building materials and are built almost entirely off-site in a factory. The controlled assembly line techniques and construction environment eliminate many of the problems faced during traditional home construction including theft, weather, vandalism, damage to building products & materials, and unskilled labor.

This intelligence report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Global Manufactured Housing Market. This includes Investigation of past progress, ongoing market scenarios, and future prospects. Data True to market on the products, strategies and market share of leading companies of this particular market are mentioned. Its a 360-degree overview of the global markets competitive landscape. The report further predicts the size and valuation of the global market during the forecast period.

Free Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/5820-global-and-north-america-manufactured-housing-market

Major Players in this Report Include,

Nobility Homes, Inc. (United States),Cavco Industries, Inc. (United States),Champion Home Builders Inc. (United States),Palm Harbor Homes, Inc. (United States) ,Fleetwood Homes, Inc. (United States) ,Jacobsen Manufacturing Inc. (United States),Excel Homes LLC (United States),Woodland Homes of Huntsville, Inc. (United States),Dutch Housing, Inc. (United States),BonnaVilla (United States)

Market Trends: Rising Popularity of Energy Efficient Manufactured Housing

Restraints: Lack of Customer Confidence over Manufactured Housing

Availability of Affordable and Attractive Home Loans for Site-Built Homes

Market Drivers: Technological advancements in Manufactured Housing

Rising Popularity of House Ownership at Low Cost

Each segment and sub-segment is analyzed in the research report. The competitive landscape of the market has been elaborated by studying a number of factors such as the best manufacturers, prices and revenues. Global Manufactured Housing Market is accessible to readers in a logical, wise format. Driving and restraining factors are listed in this study report to help you understand the positive and negative aspects in front of your business.

This study mainly helps understand which market segments or Region or Country they should focus in coming years to channelize their efforts and investments to maximize growth and profitability. The report presents the market competitive landscape and a consistent in depth analysis of the major vendor/key players in the market.Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows:Historical year 2013-2017Base year 2018Forecast period** 2019 to 2025 [** unless otherwise stated]

**Moreover, it will also include the opportunities available in micro markets for stakeholders to invest, detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product services of key players.The Global Manufactured Housing segments and Market Data Break Down are illuminated below:by Type (Manufactured Homes, Modular Homes, Panelized Homes)

Application (Residential, Commercial)

Construction Type (Single section, Multi-section)

.

.

Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/5820-global-and-north-america-manufactured-housing-market Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa

Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc.

Keep yourself up-to-date with latest market trends and maintain a competitive edge by sizing up with available business opportunity in Manufactured Housing Market various segments and emerging territory.

Objectives of the Study

Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/5820-global-and-north-america-manufactured-housing-market

Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Manufactured Housing Market:

Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Manufactured Housing market

Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary the basic information of the Manufactured Housing Market.

Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Manufactured Housing

Chapter 4: Presenting the Manufactured Housing Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis.

Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region 2013-2018

Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Manufactured Housing market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile

Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions.

Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data SourceKey questions answered

Definitively, this report will give you an unmistakable perspective on every single reality of the market without a need to allude to some other research report or an information source. Our report will give all of you the realities about the past, present, and eventual fate of the concerned Market.

Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.

About Author:

Advance Market Analytics is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies revenues.

Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enable clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As.

Contact US :

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Manufactured Housing Market to Eyewitness Massive Growth by 2025 | Nobility Homes, Cavco Industries, Fleetwood Homes - Curious Desk

Households in the Deepings and Bourne are being encouraged to look out for their neighbours, especially those living near NHS and other workers involved in the fight against coronavirus.

People are being asked to be considerate of those at the forefront of keeping the area, and Lincolnshire, moving as they work daily to ensure that important services are maintained.

The appeal comes from South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) whose staff have responded to the emergency by setting up a community information hub that is staffed between 8am and 7pm, seven days a week.

Coun Annie Mason, SKDC cabinet member for communities, said: "This is a very challenging time and we are simply asking people to think of how they can make small gestures that show how much the work of others is appreciated.

"I have been very impressed with how people have followed government advice by keeping social contact to an absolute minimum and adhering to social distancing guidance.

"But there are things that people can do to help others, particularly for those working long hours or unsociable shifts.

"This could be as simple as going to fetch some shopping or a prescription."

Among those the Government considers to be "key workers" include those employed in health and social care, from medical consultants to cleaners

But the category also includes supermarket staff and others in the food supply chain, police, fire and rescue, utilities staff making sure that electricity, oil, gas and water supplies are maintained, transport workers who make sure supplies get to where they are needed and teachers.

Coun Mason said: "We are asking our residents to be extra considerate when they are involved in an activity that could impact your neighbour."

"Whilst at home, many of us are completing DIY tasks, getting around to doing the gardening or having occasional bonfires to dispose of the waste.

"This can be good for our mental and physical wellbeing, but please be mindful that there may be key workers living locally who are working very hard, often through the night, and may need to sleep or work from home during the day.

"For example, do noisy garden jobs like mowing the lawn at tea time, rather than early in the morning.

"When you are working in your garden, playing music, using power tools or involved in any other activity that could impact your neighbour, please think about them."

Deepings and Bourne have access to new community information hub

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'Spare a thought for your neighbour', communities are told - Spalding Today

Nearly every industry is getting pummeled by the spread of COVID-19, and architecture is no exception. In late March, the American Institute of Architects conducted a survey of 387 architecture firm leaders, and the results suggest a deeply uncertain future for the profession. Two-thirds of the firms that responded said projects had either stopped or slowed down as a result of COVID-19, and a whopping 94% said they anticipate revenue to dip. Respondents expected their losses to only deepen in April.

The damage will be far-reaching, impacting individual practitioners, firms, and the profession at large. Firms are already furloughing workers and slashing pay. Foster + Partners, one of the most prominent architecture firms in the world, announced that its 1,400 workers would take a 20% paycut for three months. In New York, architects working on public projects have been ordered to suspend their design work indefinitely. Many architecture firms are small businesses, Dan Hart, AIAs at-large director, points out. Small businesses have been especially hard hit by the economic fallout from COVID-19.

Firms with public projects underway in international locations are potentially the most at risk, as 47% of them have instituted a no-travel policy indefinitely, according to the survey, making it difficult to visit sites and maintain construction schedules. Firms that focus on residential architecture may be in even hotter water; the survey suggests they have gotten far fewer inquiries for new design contracts.

Twenty-five percent of the firms that responded expect a 15% loss in revenue this month, and that number may only increase as stay-at-home orders continue. If other creative fields are any indication, layoffs could accelerate. The length, intensity, and uncertainty of this crisis will impact both the funding of and the opportunity for construction, Hart says. Gainful employment for architects is positively affected by shortening the impact of the crisis, flattening the infection curves, and introducing more certainty in containing the spread of the virus.

So whats to be done? In the short term, firms can take a few measures to offset the magnitude of their losses. Aside from applying for emergency loans through the governments Payment Protection Program to pay for salaries, insurance, rent, and other operating costs, small firms (less than 500 people on staff) are eligible for loan forgiveness and businesses that are forced to shut down completely can get a payroll tax credit.

Looking ahead, AIA CEO Robert Ivy says its critical for the government to put more provisions in place to protect architecture and construction jobsnot just for the industry, but for society at large. To jump-start the economy and bring architects and the critical design and construction economy back to life, we are strongly advocating for vertical infrastructure, buildings, to be included in any additional stimulus bill,' he writes in an email. The nation needs housing, healthcare, and health-related research facilities (a clear need at this time), and schools. Architecture can and should create facilities that allow us to grow and heal, stimulating the larger economy while creating safer, more healthful places.

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Architects are getting slammed by COVID-19: Survey - Fast Company

Douglas Friedman

Nearly every industry is affected by the shelter-in-place orders right now, but designers and architects, who make their livelihoods largely by going into peoples homes and creating furniture, have been hit particularly hard. All of the major furniture fairs, normally a time to debut new talent and designs, have been cancelled; residential and commercial projects are on hold. However, many have been able to stay engaged by redirecting their talents and transforming their factories to making much-needed hospital equipment. This has ranged from Salone del Mobile working with Chinese furniture companies and designers to donate half a million masks to the Italian Red Cross, to architecture firms like Foster + Partners and RCH Studios fabricating face shields in their workshops.

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Jean Liu Designs

Jean Liu, designer and owner of outdoor furniture factory Woodard, discovered early on that she could utilize the sewing machines in her Michigan factory to create non-N95 masks, which helps those who are unable to get N95 masks. Companies in the New York Design Center such as Century Furniture and other Sherrill Furniture Brands immediately jumped in to help increase the production of masks despite the fact that on any normal day these brands would be competitors. Fabric brands Schumacher and Kravet also joined Liu by donating fabric, and Talbots donated 10,000 yards of elastic. With their combined efforts, Liu aims to produce 1,000 masks daily.

Thom Filicia

Thom Filicia, another designer out of the New York Design Center, has been working with one of its Chicago manufacturers to create masks in that region. He has also been boosting spirits with a series of "house calls," Instagram Live interviews with other designers, each day. His living room, has become his personal oasis while coordinating these efforts.

RCH Studios

In Los Angeles, RCH Studios, the firm behind many of LAs public spaces like the Music Center Plaza and Grand Park, are spearheading an initiative with other local architecture firms, including USCs Architecture School to use their model shops and 3-D printers to create face shields and personal protective equipment (PPE) for hospitals in Los Angeles. Additionally, they have made the designs public so that others can help. Other firms such as Bjarke Ingels Group in New York and Howeler + Yoon in Boston are also 3-D printing face shields to distribute locally.

CW Stockwell and Caitlin Wilson Design

On the west coast, CW Stockwell and Caitlin Wilson Design have also partnered up to create masks. Creativity abounds as donated fabric makes for particularly colorful masks, including the CW Stockwell masks in its iconic Martinique print.

Foster + Partners

In London, the Foster + Partners architecture studio is laser-cutting face shields that can be easily disassembled and sanitized. They've already distributed a batch to health workers in the UK and can make 1,000 shields a day.

New York City Designers

Designers who don't have the facilities to create masks are still helping out: New York City interior design studio General Assembly organized an auction with 40 other designers, including Lindsey Adelman, Calico Wallpaper, Apparatus (whose censer, shown here, is one of the items up for auction), Egg Collective, and Anna Karlin with all proceeds benefiting humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief. The auction is live now, and will close on Sunday, April 12.

Matouk

The Matouk family realized that, as owners of a bedding company, they were uniquely positioned to make masks in Massachusetts, having both large quantities of fabric and elastic, as well as the proper machines. Within a few days of shifting production, they were able to ship a thousand masks to Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC., and have ramped up production to 2,000 face masks daily.

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How Architects and Designers are Helping COVID-19 Relief - TownandCountrymag.com

Often, the architects and developers are the first people who are involved in the beginning stages of modeling the building and creating the model. But while they often start the model, it's the collaboration of all interested parties that makes BIM truly useful. The various construction managers, including electricians, plumbers, and contractors, can bring in their data and estimates to allow the developer to more clearly understand all of the components.

One of the core advantages of BIM is that it essentially acts as a living document for the building. A building is a complex ecosystem; one small change, such as a change in the supplier of lighting fixtures, can have ripple effects throughout the whole project. One of the more costly components of construction is having to go back and adjust the original plan based on changes. Using a collaborative system keeps everyone on the same page, both literally and figuratively.

Once the project is completed, the BIM model also lets building managers and other end users see all of the details of the building. This can be helpful for renovations and improvements as well as for determining ways to implement energy efficiency and smarter ways of managing the building. As technology continues to evolve, managers can look at the building model to determine how to make changes to keep the building up to date.

"Architects and developers use BIM to generate and visualize designs and models for construction projects from start to finish based on all project information within the BIM model," notes Ramadan. "This enables the ultimate client to visualize the built asset pre-construction, input on design, and make any changes before work commences, leading to a better-quality end product and cost-saving efficiencies."

One of the biggest challenges that BIM faces is adoption. There are a variety of different programs, and although there are a few leaders in the field such as Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK), not everyone always uses the same system. There is also a significant cost involved, in terms of both the software itself and the training.

Another concern is keeping data safe. "With any data sets, there is always a cybersecurity risk, and BIM models are no exception," adds Ramadan. "BIM models may contain rich data/information about the operation and performance of a building, which in the case of public buildings (i.e., airports, hospitals) will include highly sensitive data, so it is likely BIM models will be targets for attack, and therefore appropriate security measures and protections will need to evolve."

The potential of BIM may extend beyond usage in a single building. As more governments integrate BIM into public infrastructure, there is greater potential to create smart cities that use BIM to model not just a building but a whole neighborhood.

"The biggest opportunity with BIM technology is the potential for convergence with the internet of things, the information sharing economy, and smart city initiatives to pave the way for a truly digital economy for buildings and infrastructure," says Ramadan.

An example of this is the work being done by Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Google's parent company, in Toronto. Sidewalk Labs, an Alphabet subsidiary, is working on Quayside, a project to create an entirely new neighborhood in Toronto. In January, Sidewalk published plans for a tall-timber building visualized in BIM 360.

Like all aspects of technology, BIM has benefitted from increases in computing power and the ability to integrate large data sets easily. The COVID-19 outbreak has shown how valuable virtual models are in all industries where a site visit isn't advisable. This situation could help spur greater interest and more widespread adoption of building information modeling.

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What is BIM and How Is It Changing the World of CRE? - Motley Fool

Getty

Coronavirus Frontlines is a special series where we are sharing the perspective of experts at the forefront of combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

For years, Americas healthcare industry has operated from an abundance mentality, with hospitals assuming access to virtually unlimited resources. But we are just a month into the United States COVID-19 crisis and hospitals across every corner of America are finding themselves in the midst of a threefold lack of resources of appropriate space, of healthcare workers needed to address the crisis, and the necessary level of personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep frontline staff and patients safe.

A recent study from Harvard University shows that even in a moderate outbreak of coronavirus, 40% of markets around the country will lack necessary beds to adequately treat patients. In cities like New York and New Orleans, healthcare providers are already experiencing these challenges. Governor Andrew Cuomo is currently pushing for hospitals to develop a plan to increase bed inventory by 50 to 100 percent before the virus peaks in mid-April. But time is running out for healthcare organizations that are already finding themselves in the eye of the storm.

Though the outlook feels bleak, the current pandemic is a chance for the healthcare industry to reevaluate deeply held beliefs around patient care and comfort. Most notably, the primacy of private patient rooms and specialized nursing units as across the board solutions. Both healthcare professionals and the general public need to forego the ideal patient experience as a primary focus for the American healthcare system. Instead, it is imperative that they move to an emphasis on patient safety and survival.

It sounds like a paradox in the midst of an infectious outbreak, but augmenting single-patient rooms with prefabricated, open ward-style treatment spaces ensures we can rapidly scale the number of beds in our country. While some hospitals at the forefront of the crisis are beginning to adopt versions of this model, the scale of this crisis requires solutions that are more integrated, faster to build, and easier to deploy across geographies.

One solution is pre-fabricated ICU units: a process that builds the components offsite to allow easy assembly onsite, saving time and money. Developed recently for use in future hospitals on the East Coast, these ICU units can be integrated into unorthodox and temporary treatment areas inside hospitals like cafeterias, clinics, conference centers, and parking structures. It can also be used beyond the hospital in civic spaces like arenas, schools and community centers.

A temporary hospital is under construction in the Argentine Football Club in Lanus, Argentina.

Hospitals can arrange these temporary units in modules of 12 to 18 beds that come pre-fitted with essential ICU functions like regulated gasses, air and data. Grouping beds into larger modules maximizes caregiver sight-lines and allows nurses to oversee a greater number of infected patients in a smaller area, minimizing the staff required to care for patients. These groupings also have the potential to extend the average length of use for some PPE by reducing the need for staff to don and doff protective equipment repeatedly, as they do in typical nursing units each time they enter and exit private patient rooms.

Specialized medical equipment manufacturers have been developing and producing key elements found within the plug and play solution for years as a part of the nations hospital building boom. By marrying the two together the plug and play ICU unit and redirecting existing units intended for construction projects we may be able to help quickly offset some of the stress on todays hospital systems.

Now we must shift that energy to respond to the crisis today. Doing so means that, at least temporarily, we must focus less on the individualized and specialized care model that has been a hallmark of American healthcare, and more on the infrastructure and solutions that will save the most lives.

Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus

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We Need More ICU Beds To Fight COVID-19. These Medical Architects Say That Requires Hospitals To Rethink Individualized Care - Forbes

Acela Architects and Engineers will move into an Allentown property long occupied by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. PHOTO/SUBMITTED)

A local architect and engineering firm will move into an Allentown property long occupied by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Acela Architects and Engineers, which has a location at 4969 Hamilton St. in Lower Macungie Township, will occupy the building.

Feinberg Real Estate Advisors LLC represented the Girl Scouts in the $610,000 sale of 2619 Moravian Ave., a 7,500-square-foot property in Allentown.

Cindy McDonnell Feinberg, principal of Feinberg Real Estate Advisors in South Whitehall Township, who represented the seller, said the transaction was completed last week.

James Balliet of KW Commercial of South Whitehall Township represented the buyer, HIWT LLC, an investment group that plans to redevelop the property for Acela Architects and Engineers, she said.

The firm plans to move into the new building within the next four weeks and use it for its new corporate headquarters in the Lehigh Valley, said Daniel Witczak, president of Acela Architects and Engineers.

Its a beautiful facility, it gives us a lot of room to grow, Witczak said. Its an easy access on and off highway, its convenient for our clients.

The property on Moravian Avenue was originally developed in 1977 as the headquarters for the Great Valley Girl Scouts and later became a service center with the merger of county-based programs, which led to the creation of Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania with headquarters in Miquon, Montgomery County, Feinberg said.

For now, Girls Scout employees are working remotely in different Girl Scouts locations, Feinberg said.

Acela has 18 employees and plans to add three more people at the new location once the pandemic ends, Witczak said.

Weve been set up to work from home from the beginning, he said. Everybody has a laptop and docking station. Thats the way we started our company.

Employees have the ability to work from home and take laptops home as needed.

Acela has been at its Lower Macungie office for three years and has three other locations in Ohio, New York and New Jersey.

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Acela Architects and Engineers to move into former Girl Scouts property - Lehigh Valley Business

From designingface shields and flat-pack intensive care units to 3D-printinghands-free door leversand converting buildings to hospitals, architects and designers are tackling the coronaviruspandemic. Here are five ways they are helping.

Converting buildings to hospitals

The unprecedented number of coronavirus cases is forcing countries around the world to rapidly increase their capacity to treat patients.

To do this, buildings across the world are being converted into intensive care units. In Tehran, Iran Mall, the world's largest shopping centre, is being transformed into a coronavirus hospital, while in New York theCathedral of St. John the Divine is also set to be converted.

With large open spaces, conference centres are an obvious choice for conversion and architecture studio BDP has converted the ExCel Centre in London into a 4,000-bed hospital called NHS Nightingale.

Two giant wards have been created in the exhibition halls, which are divide from a central corridor by areas to put on and take off protective clothing. A staff canteen, diagnosis room and mortuary complete the hospital.

"When the scale of the shortfall in beds across London became clear, the ExCel centre was the obvious choice," BDP's James Hepburn told Dezeen.

"It has huge flat floor hall spaces with flexible MEP infrastructure that can be easily adapted to meet the needs of the temporary hospital."

Designing temporary intensive care units

Architects have also recognised the need to create temporary intensive care units that can be rapidly deployed, following China's rapid construction of a temporary hospitalto treat patients at the start of the pandemic.

In response to the outbreak in the USA, flat-pack startup Jupe has created a range of medical care facilities that are designed to be quickly installed at hospitals to increase bed capacity, or that could be used as stand-alone field hospitals.

"Hospitals can't tackle it all rapidly enough, even once the federal government's aid package kicks in," explained Jupechief medical advisorEsther Choo.

In Italy, architects Carlo Rattiand Italo Rota designed an intensive-care pod within ashipping container.The first prototype is currently under construction at a hospital in Milan.

Designing face shields

In some countries, the pandemic has led to a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect health workers. In response, architects and designers have begun designing and manufacturing it themselves.

In the USA, studios including BIG, KPF and Handel Architects have joined an open-source project to print face shields, while in Spain3D-printing brand Nagami Design has switched its machines frommaking furniture to shields.

British architecture studioFoster + Partnersdecided to design an alternative face shield that can be laser cut. The open-source device can be disassembled and sanitised for reuse.

Researchers at theMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Cambridge and the University of Queensland, and graduates from Rhode Island School of Designhave all also designed face shields.

MIT has developeda disposable face shield that is made from a single piece of plastic, which can be mass-produced and shipped flat. Pieces of plastic and be folded into a three-dimensional structure when needed.

The RISD graduatescreated a simple shield that combines a curved piece of plastic with a headstrap, while the University of Cambridge and the University of Queensland's design can be created with no specialist materials or tools.

Making face masks

Face masks are another item of PPE that have seen a massive increase in demand during the pandemic. In response to shortages, numerous designs and fashion brands have converted their factories to mask production.

Prada, COS and Louis Vuitton are among the leadingbrands that have retooled to manufacture surgical face masks, while Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga have begun production of cotton face masks.

Hacking equipment

Architects and designers have been using their 3D-printers to quickly create items that alter equipment to solve problems raised by the pandemic.

To make wearing face masks less painful formedical staff treating patients, Chinese 3D-printer manufacturer Creality is printing a device that holds the strings away from the wearer's ears.

Architectural designers Ivo Tedbury and Freddie Hong have created a3D-printeddoor-handle extension that users can loop their arm through so they can open doors without using their hands.

In Italy, additive manufacturing start-up Isinnova reverse engineeredand 3D-printed a crucial valve for a oxygen mask, which is used as part of a ventilator machine, following a shortage.

"The valve has very thin holes and tubes, smaller than 0.8 millimetres it's not easy to print the pieces," said Isinnova CEO Cristian Fracass."Plus you have to respect not [contaminating] the product really it should be produced in a clinical way."

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Five ways architects and designers are helping fight coronavirus - Dezeen