Historically at this point in time I would post an end of summer blog , highlighting travel spots, with hotels and restaurants showcasing ASI materials or innovative travel ideas, like the year glamping was a precursor to voluntourism, vacations that combine volunteering. Or, featuring the most popular retail stores which ASI was a strategic material partner for their rollout programs, global brands selling what every back to school shopper wanted. It was so easy to access fresh, inspiring content always. Ah, pre-pandemic times!

Who would have envisioned the notion of attending school or not would be a decision, not which day to go to the mall? And, traveling is another hot topic, just the freedom to get up and  go wherever and whenever you wanted to…plus the altered celebrations we’ve missed out on or pivoted to create ones with meaning.

The industries we love and are a part of are struggling. Loss is all around us, personally and in business. Yet, we have worked (from home!) collectively to make sure the design community stays inspired and your creativity nurtured by offering virtual product and continuing education presentations that were embraced with an overwhelming response!

Contact rcooper@archsystems.com to schedule a team presentation.

The monthly Project Spotlights (ICYMI) took on each phase of the pandemic in real time.

In the midst of the pandemic, Wyandotte County Health Center is serving the needs of the local community with a (free) COVID-19 testing truck operating in their parking lot providing yet another functional need met - to move us all forward into the new normal.

Right in the heart of an iconic and emerging urban location where the statue of Samuel Adams stands today, the new brewery and tasting room in downtown Boston is not able to operate as intended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many of our favorite restaurants have had to creatively reinvent themselves during COVID-19. Fortunately, Just Salad, a fast casual restaurant chain, serving healthy yet affordable options has recently launched Just Grocery, an on demand delivering service, not only offering Just Salad’s most popular choices in meal kits but staple items too.

Indoor seating or outdoor reservation? As restaurants everywhere are beginning to reopen slowly in the new now of living comfortably with the overcast of COVID-19 around each choice we make, dining out should not feel stressful. At Rinka Hawaii, an authentic Japanese restaurant in Honolulu, their guests are always assured a memorable, joyful and delicious meal. With social distanced tables, temperature taken upon arrival and hand sanitizer placed everywhere, they provide
the necessary options to choose between eating there or ordering take out from them.

Through this ongoing disruption, ASI has also consistently introduced new innovative and solution based products: Porcelain Slabs, Cerussa Luxury Vinyl, The Venue, Structura® Door Skins, and Pattern Play - Acoustical/Decorative Panels, and with a new focus on wellness we developed a Health and Wellness Feature and Benefits category, offering antimicrobial and antibacterial coatings on many of our wall surfaces and floorings with a visual reference. View our digital catalog and our gallery of global projects.

As we navigate through unpredictable and vulnerable times, economic uncertainty and racial tensions, human resilience and spirit in the face of it all has been formidable. Here’s to the everyday heroes and to all the architects and designers who continue to beautifully create special spaces in our new reality.  

I hope this fall we see plans for a post-pandemic world start to emerge. ASI looks forward to connecting in person again one day sooner than later: in our Showroom, at trade shows and conferences, and even at your offices collaborating on current and upcoming projects. Contact sales@archsystems.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Stay safe, wash your hands and wear a mask please.