A landscape architect has seen a big increase in work on the back of businesses asking to create socially distanced outdoor spaces on the back of the pandemic.
Management at the Notts-based business, called Influence, said they had seen a 20 per cent rise in demand for their work since the lockdown started.
The firm, which specialises in landscape architecture, urban design, project management, masterplanning and environmental planning, was set up in 2008 and has offices in Newark and London.
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Owner and managing director Sara Boland said there had been demand for help from organisations with public areas in need of new measures to ensure the safety of people using them.
She said they had found that new projects, especially within commercial environments, had also started integrating safety measures into designs based upon government guidelines.
Examples of the design changes the team has been working on include wider walkways, more spaced seating and more of a focus on place-marking.
Ms Boland said: “During what has been an incredibly challenging period globally, Influence has put a positive foot forward as our workload has increased.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in the way we move around public outdoor spaces forever and this has resulted in an increased demand for designs to incorporate safety measures.
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“We have always been a busy practice, but as we offer both planning and design services, we’re getting more enquiries on new schemes as well as our existing projects that need to be adjusted. The changes will be subtle, non-abrasive but clear and will be the norm for generations to come.
“I’m grateful for the increased demand in our services and incredibly proud of our team who have worked particularly hard during this period while managing the usual pressures of home working. While there will be some bumps in the road ahead, as a business, we are performing very well.”
Influence’s current projects include and number of special needs schools in Lincolnshire, public space upgrades in Northamptonshire and tall building assessments in London.