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26 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / December 2020 ELEMENTS Lobby Design Improving Lobby Design in Response to Pandemics Kelsey A. Webb, EDAC, LEED AP Project Specialist, EUA A s we consider redesigning our existing spaces and plan for future projects, it is important to begin with understand- ing the WELL Building Standard. This building rating system is focused on how buildings can positively influence the health and well-being of peoplewhowork, live, learn and heal within them. Strategies that can be applied to existing and new lobby designs include: ventilation effectiveness and enhanced ventilation, operable windows, pollu- tion infiltration management, air filtration, microbe and mold control, hand-washing efficiencies and en- hanced daylight access. Below are five areas for im- provement. • Entry vestibules. The entry vestibule serves as the first point of contact as residents, employees and visitors enter a building. A vestibule can be viewed as an“anteroom,” aprogramelement oftenused inhealth care design, to provide a buffer between two rooms controlling air flow, movement and the passage of con- taminants. Entry vestibules are due for a reimaging given what we have experienced in the recent pandemic. From immediate changes such as determining if all people entering the building will use the same entrance or if a separate entrance for deliveries and guests is needed, to long-term solutions like designing larger vestibules that can transform into queuing space or screening space during times of need, there are different oppor- tunities to improve upon design to keep employees healthy and happy. • Lobby desks. The concept of a lobby desk exists in every place type. It is where a guest goes to check- in, whether at a hospital, school, senior living facility, apartment building or office. Although desksmay vary in function or design, all desks pose a risk of spreading germs through the touching of surfaces and proximity of people. As we continue designing with the need for a lobby desk, there are other options to consider such as the use of a virtual assistant and the development of new guest protocol at the entry of buildings. Some clients may not have the need for an initial face-to-face inter- action and thus a digital check-in procedure could be used in lieu of a lobby desk. Long-term strategies for clients who need a lobby desk may want to consider design strategies such as incorporating UV light ster- ilization, utilizing low-wall air returns and providing enclosedmeeting rooms in the lobby. • Seating areas. Nearly all built environments pro- vide a seating area adjacent to themain entry. Depend- ing on the place type, these areas can have their own unique look. One consistent factor in these spaces is that they provide a comfortable setting where people can engage and interact. In trying to reduce the opportunity for germ spread, seating areas must be addressed. A simple way to keep spaces as sanitary as possible during a pandemic is to decrease the amount of existing furniture to support social distancingandhelpwidencirculationpaths. Oth- er more permanent solutions could include providing flooring transitions such as rugs to indicate placement of separate groups. During the ideation of newground- up projects, it will be beneficial to have a discussion about the possibility of designing these spaces with a certain amount of furniture flexibility that would al- low the spaces to convert frommeeting spaces to offic- es to queuing areas. • Public restrooms. Public restrooms are one of the most prolific spots for the spread of germs. Under nor- mal circumstances this is true, but when discussed at the scale of a worldwide pandemic this issue becomes exacerbated. Restrooms also present an interesting is- sue of balancing sustainabilitywith a high level of san- itation. The smallest changes in the public restroom set- ting can have a huge impact on reducing germ spread such as implementing hands-free door hardware. By eliminating a potential surface contaminator, we are reducing the opportunity for germ spread. Additional- ly, replacing existing fixtures with touch-less fixtures Promote the use of stairs and encourage occupants to use one stair for traveling up and a separate for traveling down.