DSM Forward Ask the Construction Experts

The Greater Des Moines Partnership DSM Forward webinar series offers insight on moving the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region forward in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. As plans are made and businesses reopen, The Partnership has put together resources for employers at DSMpartnership.com/DSMForward.

The “DSM Forward: Ask the Construction Experts” webinar focuses on future trends and a turn toward healthy office buildings. Partnership Executive Director of Entrepreneurial Initiatives Mike Colwell speaks with Brad Schoenfelder, president of the Midwest region at Ryan Companies, and Tom Rupprecht, president of development at R&R Realty Group to get their thoughts on moving forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moving Forward

Rupprecht outlines what R&R Realty Group is concentrating on at the moment, including:

• Communication (open and honest conversations)
• Development
  • What are companies now looking for in an office building? This will change drastically.
  • Clients are looking at healthy buildings that include air quality changes, touchless environments, germ-resistant materials, technology updates
• Safety

When it comes to moving forward, Schoenfelder says their workforce continues to keep job sites going in a safe manner. There are development opportunities for strong construction projects due to fiscal stimulus, and throughout the pandemic, projects have continued within every sector — preconstruction, design, etc.

Future Trends

In the coming months, Schoenfelder says he believes that the industry will be talking about innovation expectations. How will communication take place? How does the employee want to identify with their place of business? Rupprecht adds that at this point there is a wait-and-see approach with tenants/clients about changes that might need to be made within office spaces. Right now, people are asking, “What is everyone else doing?”

Focusing on Healthy Buildings

Rupprecht says that air quality is a number one priority and updating filtration systems is something that will continue to be important for companies as they make changes to keep their employees safe. Motion sensors will update lighting and doors so that people throughout the building are able to wave a hand without touching a handle. Water faucets and soap dispensers are now using sensors as well — an upgrade that allows for a safer way of moving through office buildings.

Schoenfelder adds that a flexible building model must be created. The more you can understand how your tenant/client is planning to communicate with their space, the more collaboration and innovation the construction industry will embrace as changes are implemented in business environments and building plans.

See the entire webinar below:

 

 

Learn more about the construction and development impacts and trends.

See COVID-19 resources at the links below:

• R&R Realty Group
• Ryan Companies

You can count on The Partnership to continue to share accurate and fact-based updates as well. See more on COVID-19 here.