18-05-2020
Architecture, the pandemic and the future of design: Stéphane Rasselet - Naturehumaine

1. How did your firm handle the lockdown?
All employees (6) are working from home except for myself (Stéphane Rasselet) the owner of the firm. I come in the office every morning from 8h30 to 1h30 to follow up with everyone through DISCORD and FaceTime. Meetings with clients are made through ZOOM and SKYPE.
2. What new forms of work are you experimenting with and how about the results?
ZOOM and DISCORD. Everyone is connected through our main server at the office. What remains a difficulty is all communications with the cities about construction permits that remain on hold.
3. How do you think this experience will affect the future management of an architectural practice?
For sure I think that firms will adopt more flexible ways of working. But we must not forget that close human interactions will always be necessary for exchanging ideas with coworkers but also with clients. Otherwise I am hoping that people will realize that the living environment of a house is crucial to the wellbeing of individuals after having spent so much time inside their homes, and that will bring more people to reach out to professionals to think about their everyday life living spaces.