URBN Playground Recognized as Commercial Observer's 2021 Tenant Focused Innovation Award Honoree!

Tenant Focused Innovation

Commercial Observer 2021 | National Innovators Award

Commercial Observer recently named URBN Playground as the recipient of their Tenant Focused Innovation Award at the 3rd Annual Innovators Forum & Awards.

The 2021 Innovators Forum & Awards Reception was centered this year around unleashing the full potential of CRE, hearing from and connecting with the world’s preeminent leaders, and discovering how innovations and changes in the commercial real estate industry impact how we live, work and connect.

Commercial Observer’s full digital publication, with reference to our award, can be found here. URBN Playground was also featured on Commercial Observer’s LinkedIn.

8 Ways to Make Your Properties Environmentally Friendly

Why are Green Buildings Important?

While there has been plenty of focus on the pandemic and how amenities have to change to meet the needs of a post-COVID world, many developers also saw this as an opportunity to revamp building design and amenities towards sustainability. With climate change at our doorstep, developers have been redesigning buildings with green elements that not only benefit residents, but that also are more sustainable and help reduce maintenance costs for developers in the long run. Here are 8 ways to make your building amenities more environmentally-friendly. 

1. Encourage residents to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The first step to making buildings environmentally-friendly is through awareness, education, and cultivation of habits among residents in reducing energy consumption and waste production. Reducing the waste we produce, reusing goods so that they are not discarded, and recycling waste materials, can be achieved by having recycling bins and services readily available at your premises. You can also inculcate a reduce and reuse culture within your buildings by having digital platforms that allow residents to resell or exchange goods instead of discarding them, especially electronics, electricals, and other non-perishables.

2. Use energy efficient lighting and natural light

Lighting is estimated to cost around 15% of an average home’s electrical use, and residents stand to save $225 in energy costs annually through using efficient LED lighting. Design buildings to allow as much natural light into the spaces during the day also reduces the reliance on electrical lighting. Installing automatic controls such as timers that switch off lighting when not in use (in driveways or stairways during the day time) further conserves energy consumption. Dimmers achieve the same outcome by lowering the light levels based on the environmental light intensity throughout the day. 

3. Automate your amenities

Automation can help to reduce energy consumption by only turning on when it is in use. Motion sensors that are paired with lighting fixtures turn off when no movement is detected after a period of time. Automation can also be used in conjunction with temperature controls - for example, building temperature systems can be configured to only switch on for specific time periods to keep an optimal temperature that is comfortable for the inhabitants. We have all been there when we wished a building was warmer (or cooler in the summer) after returning from a lunch break out or when meeting rooms are frigid cold and you can’t warm up the room fast enough. 

4. Reduce the use of disposable resources

Other means of reducing the carbon footprint of your building involves replacing practices that consume natural resources. For example, automated electrical hand dryers and bidets are a cheaper alternative to purchasing paper towels. Water stations at recreational areas as opposed to vending machines reduces the sale of plastic containers or cans of the beverages.

5. Ensure adequate insulation with sustainable materials

Heat is an important factor that could lower or raise energy consumption costs for your building. 

For colder climates, heat retention with insulation is essential, working in tandem with building heating systems. Otherwise, you will find your buildings consuming lots of energy to keep a building warm as it dissipates heat to the surroundings due to lack of insulation. The choice of materials for insulation also impacts a building’s sustainability. Choose insulation materials from sustainable or recyclable sources, such as cotton, sheep’s wool or newer materials such as reused timber, cork and glass.

6. Harness nature to provide shade and heat absorption

For buildings in warmer climates, smart landscaping and growing lush greenery in and surrounding the premises has a cooling effect, by absorbing the surrounding heat and providing shade. Landscaping has the added bonus of creating relaxing public spaces for residents to spend time in with their friends and families. Landscaping need not be limited to gardens or open areas only - you can explore growing greenery on the walls and rooftops of buildings. Greenery on rooftops also helps to preserve roof life and reduce stormwater runoff.

7. Harvest rainwater

As an extension to Point #6 on cooling buildings, rainwater is also a resource that can be harvested for uses within the building. Harvested rainwater from the catchment systems in a building can be stored, reducing the reliance on public utilities. This harvested rainwater can be used for toilets, sprinkler systems, watering the landscaping around the building and possibly even filtered and processed to be used for domestic consumption. 

8. Install solar panels

Solar power is something you can harvest all-year round in sunny areas. To incentivize developers to install solar panels, the federal government offers a 30% total system cost rebate from the deployment of solar panels as a federal income tax credit when you file your taxes. Solar energy can be used to power electrical appliances in your home, such as lighting, water heater and charging stations. While sunny days work best to produce solar energy, solar panels produce energy even when the weather is cloudy. Solar panels also extend the life of a roof, protecting it from the elements such as rain, snow and debris, while also keeping the roof cool as the sun doesn't shine on the roof directly on hot days.

Conclusion

When developing, designing, and outfitting a building, it’s important to not only cater to residents’ luxury and comfort, but also practicality and flexibility (arising from COVID-19) and long-term sustainability (from pressing needs to address global warming today). The eight measures above are some of the ways you can make your buildings greener today, help your residents adopt sustainable living, reduce your own operational costs, and bring about a better and greener planet for our future. 

How to Design an Amenity Space for Serenity and Wellness to Thrive

More and more consumers are realizing that our homes and the surrounding environment has a big impact on our lifestyles, health, moods, and wellbeing. According to research by the World Health Organization, the built environment in which we live will determine up to 80–90 percent of our health outcomes. 

Yet, as the Global Wellness Institute put it, “the way our homes have been built in the last century is reinforcing lifestyles that make us sick, stressed, alienated and unhappy.” Our modern living environment favors sedentary lifestyles, which has led to a lack of physical activity, poor diet, stress, and social isolation. Modernization has also increased environmental degradation, which has led to a global increase in respiratory and chronic diseases (traceable directly to pollution). Growing awareness of this came to a climax in 2020 and 2021, when people were forced to spend more time at home than ever, due to government-mandated lockdowns.

THE RISE OF THE WELLNESS REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

All of these factors have given rise to the growing wellness movement in real estate. By 2022, the global wellness real estate industry is projected to reach a value of $197 billion USD, growing by 6.4% annually since 2015. This is led by the US market, which alone is worth $52 billion USD. 

The wellness movement recognizes the important role our built environment plays in our physical and mental wellbeing. And it represents a shift “that explicitly puts people’s wellness at the center of the conception, design, creation and redevelopment of our homes and neighborhoods” (Global Wellness Institute).

As the world begins its recovery from the pandemic, developers and designers have begun taking cues from the wellness movement to rethink the built environment for multifamily developments, with amenities being refocused to prioritize wellness. Here are some key approaches to designing amenity spaces for wellness.

1. Giving people greater flexibility to make their spaces work for them

Even before the pandemic, the world was already facing a mental health crisis due to the stress of modern life. Around 1-in-7 people globally (11-18 percent) have one or more mental or substance use disorders. These issues escalated during the pandemic. The good news is that dialogue and awareness around mental health grew as well. 

Major employers like LinkedIn and Mozilla began practicing company-wide paid time off weeks to combat burnout. Some companies also extended the practice of working from home indefinitely, such as Twitter, realizing the flexibility that WFH gave employees. 

The premise is simple: By allowing people greater control over their workspaces and environments, they will be happier and more productive.

Developers are taking this into account by building features that facilitate a sense of personal space for residents. This includes building in nooks for a flexible workstation either in the bedroom or living room and providing views of nature and natural light. This allows individuals to feel more personally tied to the spaces they occupy.

Shared amenities are also being rethought to provide more flexibility. Terraces, plazas, and roof gardens allow people to step away from their routines and get some fresh air and a different view. This was evidenced by the responses shared by 342 multifamily developers, designers, and contractors in Build Design + Construction’s 2021 Multifamily Amenities report. One respondent’s strategy was to “disperse amenities throughout the project rather than in one mega-amenity.” Yet another cited “proximity to parks” as a factor in future project location decisions.

2. Taking care of safety first

Many respondents in the same BD+C report said that they were updating their building plans to include: 

• Antibacterial countertop surfaces

• Ultraviolet lamps to destroy microbes

• Touchless faucets in kitchens and bathrooms

• Hand-sanitizing stations in common areas

• Sliding doors at the entry to the leasing office

• Easily cleanable furniture

Common laundry facilities may be on their way out, with more respondents opting to install washer/dryer combos in individual units.

Another big aspect which many building developers and designers are considering in the wake of Covid-19 is healthier indoor air quality. Many reported looking into “HVAC upgrades,” “improved HVAC systems/filtration,” and “larger air purification systems.” Even for existing projects, efforts are underway to install “air-purification systems at retrofit, in amenity spaces and elevators.”

3. Integrating mind, body, and spirit

There is growing demand for building features that not only enhance human comfort, but promote a “mind, body, spirit” approach. 

This includes integrating materials that reference a building’s immediate surroundings and community, providing residents with deeper connections to the world around them. This sense of belonging is a vital facet of emotional wellness.

Sustainable features are also considered desirable - not only is reducing pollution physically beneficial - it also promotes mental and spiritual wellbeing by facilitating a sense of environmental stewardship. Amenities such as gyms, bike storage, interconnecting corridors and staircases that encourage movement, and in-house healthy dining and grocery options can all contribute to wellbeing and a more sustainable building.

And in high-end developments, a new amenity trend that is starting to catch on is that of a “spiritual concierge”. This takes wellness to a whole new level and helps residents get in touch with their inner selves and foster a mind-body-spirit connection. These spiritual concierges are intended to provide services and programming that caters to those who have embraced spirituality as part of their wellbeing. 

Such programming ranges from intention setting and dancing or movement workshops, sound baths, and healing ceremonies - which may or may not involve crystals, visualization and sage burning. These events also serve to bring the community together, and enhance utilization of shared, open amenity spaces in a building, such as decks, atriums, pool sides, and patios. 

Ultimately, the shift towards more wellness-focused amenities is a positive one. As residents demand healthier, more serene living spaces, and as developers and designers seek to cater to those needs, more harmony is being created between the buildings we live in, the environments surrounding them, and the residents who inhabit them. 

The Power of A Sincere and Genuine Approach to Service

In today’s digital world, businesses are digitizing most, if not all, of their functions to increase efficiency, lower costs, and expand their digital presence. But to become a great business, you still need the ‘human touch’ to separate yourselves from competitors by building sincere and genuine relationships with your customers, employees, and stakeholders - something technology cannot replicate. Here’s why sincerity and genuineness still matters, and how you can harness its power to take your business to another level. 

Increasing customer satisfaction

Most businesses are obsessed with their bottom lines, and see customers as opportunities for profits to be made. This perspective often leads to short-term measures to secure immediate payouts by customers in the short-run, but in the long run, it becomes the detriment of businesses who have become tone-deaf to customer needs. Customers who find that their needs have been addressed disingenuously will switch to other businesses they feel they can trust more. 

How can you build lasting relationships with your customers then? It boils down to simply being sincere with addressing your customer’s needs and genuinely taking steps to meet those needs. Customer surveys, complaints, and criticism can sometimes be difficult to stomach, but this data is a gold mine to learn from when it comes to the needs of your customers. This data helps direct your resources to point the business in the right direction, to avoid investing in an advertising campaign or product launch that begets little traction. Customers who feel their needs have been heard and addressed will start to build trust with your business, and as a side effect, will spread awareness of your services through word of mouth - the best form of outreach of all.

Empowering your employees

Employees are the backbone of any business. Yet less than 50% of employees trust their companies, according to a Harvard Business Review article. A dysfunctional organization often sees its employees as a means to an end, and exploits employees' time and energy with little regard for employee welfare. While seemingly expedient at first, this approach is ultimately costly to the organization, which has to incur high search costs to replace employees who leave. Disgruntled employees also suffer from languishing productivity that translates to overall subpar operations. Ultimately, this lack of excellence could damage the brand’s reputation.

Your employees are the biggest assets of your organization; they are the eyes and ears of what’s happening on the ground. Information they possess can inform future business decisions that would benefit the organization. Such critical information, if ignored, could risk your business falling behind your contemporaries, or worse, drive your business to the ground. Additionally, an empowered employee will also take the initiative to resolve challenges as they arise, which takes the pressure off other peers and superiors from needing to resolve them - a further value add to your business.

Empowering your employees is as important as building trust with the customers you serve, and can be as easily achieved by sincerely understanding the challenges your employees face, genuinely giving them the environment to speak freely and air their grievances, and then providing the time and resources they need to be effective in their roles. This can be done through providing an avenue for employees to air their concerns openly to management without fear of reprisal, rewarding initiative taken to resolve issues and fostering a horizontal collaborative culture where employees feel they have ownership in the decisions of the business as opposed to a top-down command-and-control environment.

Cultivating strong business relationships

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”
~ Isaac Newton ~

No business can exist singly and withstand the dynamics of an uncertain environment on its own - it needs the support of various other players to thrive. Hence a sincere and genuine approach to service extends to not only end customers, but also to other players in the ecosystem a business operates in. These include suppliers, vendors, business partners, investors and governments.

Business arrangements need not be zero-sum games where one party benefits at the expense of another. A parallel narrative similarly exists for business partners as it does with employees - businesses who take advantage of their business partners will find themselves knee-deep in constantly finding new partners to run the business with. On the other hand, businesses who have carefully cultivated strong relationships with their business partners, vendors, and stakeholders not only benefit from partners that are cognizant of the business’ needs, but also go the extra mile to help you succeed - a win-win scenario. 

In amenity management, the property owner and the amenities manager must see eye-to-eye regarding the business direction of the property to successfully attract, retain and meet residents' needs. A property owner and amenities manager who are in sync with the needs of the business can trust the other to undertake decisions promptly for the mutual benefit of both, which can only be achieved if a certain level of trust and sincerity has been established. 

Wrapping it Up

Technological tools can make certain business processes more effective or less burdensome, but it wont make a business successful or impactful. What truly leaves a lasting impression on both your clients and society as a whole is a business that is rooted on meeting the needs of people. This can only be achieved by building trust, by being sincere and genuine in both who you are serving and who you need to deliver that service. 

How e-Commerce and Digitalization Can Meet Customer Needs in a Post-COVID World

Business NOT as usual

The nature of business has been changing, even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Competition for products and services has intensified globally — technological novelty no longer holds the appeal it once did, and neither conventional products nor standard customer service is sufficient to stay above the competition. The arrival of the pandemic only served to accelerate some of these trends. 

The objective of customer service today is no longer just to address customer’s needs effectively and efficiently, but also to proactively anticipate and pre-empt customers’ wants to make their lives easier. Additionally, providing the most cutting-edge amenities has been overtaken by flexible working spaces and recreational areas that cater to the different needs of residents, especially in a pandemic when options become scarce beyond the gates of home. 

Here are some of the changes we observed taking place pre- and post-pandemic in building management and amenities today, considerations to think about to address these changes, and some ways to meet customers’ evolving needs. 

Customer’s needs have shifted towards well-being, not luxury

Even before the pandemic struck, the frenetic pace of our lives was making us shift our priorities towards better balance and overall well-being. The desire to have the newest, largest and trendiest gizmos, cars, and homes was replaced with the need for security, peace of mind, and happiness. Having state-of-the-art gyms did not seem to bring much satisfaction either — in fact, it may have exacerbated the missing social element that is present in group fitness classes. 

The pandemic and social distancing requirements only accentuated these needs further, as homes now had to double up as offices, playgrounds, and sanctuaries. Children needed a way to obtain education, but also playtime with their peers, all while being confined to their home. Parents and working professionals needed home spaces to be flexibly modified to accommodate working arrangements, family time and exercise to cope with the stresses of living in a pandemic. Hassle-free options for shopping and timely delivery of essential items while adhering to social distancing and hygiene practices also became a necessity. These considerations are not only likely to stay for the foreseeable future — in addition to becoming a contingency in case of future pandemics — they have also become the basic expectation of customers moving forwards.

“In today’s competitive market, buildings are being designed with pet spas, rock climbing walls, salt rooms, wine rooms, and coffee bars. Yet amid all these investments, another crucial yet often overlooked amenity is neglected - the service that occurs within these spaces.” 

~ Jeremy Brutus, co-founder of URBN Playground ~

How can you meet these changes in customers’ needs?

It is tempting to design amenities and properties to incorporate state-of-the-art amenities as to make your properties technologically one-of-a-kind. Yet, more often than not, alleviating your customer’s stressors is more impactful than providing a fancy amenity that isn’t used - you’ll be surprised that sometimes the small investments have the biggest impact for your return on investment, customer satisfaction, and consequently, the reputation of your brand. 

At the end of the day, it still boils down to meeting what the customer wants. Time has become a precious commodity during the pandemic. The challenges of working from home often meant more decision-making both while at work and at home, while having fewer options to destress and less time to relax. 

Solutions should be prioritized to enable customers to save time and free up headspace from decisions, while offering convenience and variety despite social distancing restrictions. For instance, e-commerce apps can house a one-stop utilities payment page, cleaning and building maintenance services, delivery options for groceries and other necessities as well as options for leisure through a variety of fitness classes. Chatbots in the app can help address common FAQs quickly, while more complex queries are routed to customer service agents to give more dedicated assistance, 24/7. 

“A person looking at a new or existing rental or condo is choosing a lifestyle, rather than a cold unit of space. This involves interactions that are unique, positive, and personal. Such interactions are the hallmarks of what URBN Playground does, drawing from our background in hospitality and infusing it into the work we do.”

~Amy Blitz, co-founder of URBN Playground~

What have we done at URBN Playground?

We have utilized technology that enables us to not only make the lives of customers easier, but also allows us to leave a personal touch to build relationships with customers. Additionally, technology opened up additional value-adding functions that expanded the breadth of our offerings to meet customers’ needs.

We created an On-Demand Concierge App that is available on both iPhone and Android phones, that serves as an amenities and event booking platform in client buildings. Residents of these buildings can now check on the availability of spaces and book these amenities with just a few swipes of the screen. The booking platform can be white-labeled, customized and seamlessly integrated with our clients' building systems.

The pandemic need not limit us from being able to view properties. We have designed augmented/virtual reality tours for customers to access spaces remotely. Customers who scan QR codes can access an augmented 3D reality of the building amenities as well as a building tour from their mobile devices. 

We have also designed a fitness program, URBN BURN, that identifies the fitness needs and goals of customers and creates a fitness program to meet these requirements. These sessions can be booked through our concierge app. The app hosts a range of workouts, from weight training, HIIT, meditation and even mobility routines that are guided by URBN’s trainers. Users also have access to URBN staff that act as accountability buddies to help customers stay on track for their fitness goals and build healthy lifelong habits.

Wrapping it all up

The lifestyle needs of customers today was already leaning towards better balance and well-being even before the pandemic erupted — the pandemic itself only further catalyzed these changes. The changes in preferences are not insurmountable, and boil down to basic human needs. By tailoring your digital solutions to meet these needs (while employing some creativity and technology in the process), you can build a stronger relationship with your customers, and thus a better brand. 

How to Combine Functionality and Design in Lobby Spaces

Since lobbies are the first thing residents see before the rest of a building, it’s important to make that first impression count. While it is natural to pay a lot of attention to and invest resources in an exquisitely designed lobby, aesthetics alone are poor substitutes for functionality. Well-planned lobby spaces combine both aesthetics and function to leave a lasting impression on residents. 

Here are our three recommendations to combine function and design and take your lobby to the next level.

First things first - meet the needs of your residents

Creating value can be as simple as meeting the basic needs of the residents. It is easy to become carried away with the latest architectural furnishings that cost a fortune but don’t meet the basic necessities of residents. Basic amenities would do more to serve your residents than a lobby full of Roman columns. So what are these must-have amenities that set your lobby above the rest?

Unsurprisingly, the most important infrastructure for today’s residents is invisible. You can expect residents to be carrying at least one electronic device wherever they go. Having free and accessible WiFi enables residents to stay tuned to their social media, browse the web, or finish up on work while waiting in the lobby. Charging stations and electrical outlets sound simple but are greatly appreciated - we all know how it feels when our phone batteries are down to 5%.

Likewise, water dispensers or complimentary refreshments provide a similarly small yet luxurious comfort. And having clear and visible signage helps residents find their way quickly with little fuss. Additionally, an informational hub (whether it’s as sophisticated as a digital screen or as straightforward as a notice board) helps residents find the latest community developments within the building, while finding out local attractions or events to go to. 

Then comes nuance and personalization

Once your lobbies are equipped with the amenities above, you can look further into catering to the more specific needs of your residents. This can be achieved by first understanding the demographics of your residents, and consequently their underlying needs. Families would benefit from lounges that have play areas, game rooms, and reading areas or libraries to keep children occupied. Residents seeking to socialize could benefit from cafes to catch up with friends or bars to catch a few drinks before heading out in the evening. Working professionals or students would benefit from more tables and desks to set up their stations to work with ease throughout the day. 

Apart from demographics, the right choice of furniture can help you reinforce the ambiance you wish to create. To invoke a spacious atmosphere, consider a minimalist approach and tables with pedestal bases to make it easy to tuck into chairs. Keep pathways clear of furniture to reduce overcrowding and accommodate peak traffic throughout the day. If your lobby feels empty, you may consider art pieces or architectural designs to give the space some personality, provided they jive with the look and feel of the rest of the lobby. 

Besides the furniture, wall colors play a role in affecting a desired mood within a space. Neutral colors such as beige, grey or shades of white evoke a light and airy lobby, whereas cool colors like green, blue and purple help to create a serene and calming atmosphere. To create a space that feels cozier, choose colors that are dark and rich, such as deep warm reds, golden browns and dark forest greens. It’s important to keep in mind that the choice of colors for the walls and the furniture complement each other - furniture with striking colors and patterns against a muted backdrop would draw the wrong type of attention. Adjust your lighting settings to bring out the best character and elements of your lobby that you wish to convey.

Lobbies for the post-pandemic world

The recent pandemic has introduced many new social distancing practices that will likely become standard practice for the foreseeable future. However, social distancing and hygiene practices need not be at odds with the design of your lobby. Automated entryways and exits were already in practice prior to the pandemic, while better hygiene practices stave off not only COVID-19, but also a host of other harmful bacteria.

Multiple automated entry and exit points will be needed to spread pedestrian traffic across larger areas to increase social distancing and reduce risk of transmission. Digital authentication, such as voice activated protocols and contactless badges, don’t just prevent viruses and bacteria from spreading, but also increases building security by allowing for traceability. In the event of an outbreak, digitalization enables contact tracing at a moment’s notice. Temperature checks will be needed at entrance points while signage with reminders to stay safe will be a regular feature at most lobbies.

Wrapping it up

Conventions of lobby design need not focus on one aspect and neglect the other; functionality and design can go hand-in-hand to not only create visually stunning spaces, but also wow your residents further by catering to their needs. From ensuring basic amenities are present, to more subtle nuances such as the choice of furniture and wall colors, the sky (or ceiling) is the limit as far as creativity goes in marrying functionality and design. Similarly, post-pandemic practices in lobby areas can not only be assimilated, but also improve the security and functionality of lobby spaces. 

Designing Residential Spaces to Build Community

Increasing urbanization and the pace of modern life is depriving us of a sense of closeness to our neighbors. For most, our typical workday starts with a commute to work, then grinding through the nine-to-five, and finally coming home for dinner. Occasionally, we catch our neighbors at the elevator and greet them customarily, though the conversation ends as we reach our floors.

Is there a way for us to build a sense of community despite our hectic schedules and demanding obligations? Is there a way for our kids to experience growing up with their neighbors? Is it possible to still form meaningful relationships with those that we share a street with?

We’re glad you asked. We strongly believe that thoughtful residential design can evoke a sense of community, and help neighbors get to know each other better. 

Here are our three ways to build community living within residential spaces.

1. Create moments for connection through recreation

The previous trend of building design is to equip buildings with the most state of the art amenities. Over time, these amenities ended up being underused, owing to a mismatch between what residents needed and what designers wanted. 

Consequently, the new thinking behind building design is to design amenities that residents would actually need and use, even if it meant forgoing the trendiest gym equipment and largest infinity pools. In terms of designing for communities, this means designing spaces that create the most opportunities for residents to connect. This can be as simple as installing chairs and sofas in common areas, as well as benches and tables in gardens that invite people to sit down and have a chat. 

Beyond the usual amenities such as gardens, playgrounds and tennis courts, developers can also build dedicated spaces for shared activities. These include recording studios for the musically inclined, shared kitchens for aspiring cooks, as well as community vegetable gardens for those with green thumbs. 

2. Networking through co-working spaces

Cigna’s Loneliness and the Workplace Report found that three in five Americans have reported themselves as lonely arising from lockdown conditions, further revealing that lonely workers think about quitting their job more than twice as often as non-lonely workers. However, the same Cigna report also found that respondents who reported many quality interactions with other people were less likely to be lonely and unproductive at work.

Coworking spaces in residential buildings could remedy loneliness by enabling residents to network and exchange ideas with others from different backgrounds. Open and collaborative working removes the barriers to communication associated with segregated spaces. Shared kitchens and snack bars further increase the likelihood for interaction. 

Networking doesn’t have to be confined to physical spaces alone. Digital platforms within the residence can enable residents to seek each other out to find common interests or launch new products. Career development and self-development talks could be hosted live or streamed from channels such as TedX in these co-working spaces to build community.

3. Combine commercial and residential space

It’s a Friday night and you’ve just wrapped up work and it's nearly time to head to dinner. Wouldn’t it be nice to just go to a restaurant in the same building where you live and catch a show after?

Residential areas that employ mixed use development, combining residential and commercial elements are growing in popularity. 

How does this foster communities? Cafes and restaurants built within residential spaces give residents alternative spaces to congregate or work - just a few steps away from their units. Wine cellars can double up as a community space for wine aficionados, while serving the needs of the in-home restaurant. Live arts venues housed within the building provide additional options for entertainment and draw in non residents who are interested in the arts. 

Wrapping it up

‘Community is about doing something together that makes belonging matter’ - Brian Solis

Feeling a sense of belonging and community is possible, despite the increasingly frenetic pace of modernization, even in present times working from home during the pandemic. Creating opportunities for connection through smart building design, installing networking capabilities through co-working spaces, as well as combining commercial and residential spaces, can all help achieve this outcome. At the end of the day, it is the people you come home to, the things you do with them, and the memories made that people cherish most about their time at home.

7 Tips to Getting Better Sleep

In his book Why We Sleep, renowned sleep expert Matthew Walker argues that there is a causal link between sleep-deprivation with depression, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer. 

Getting enough quality sleep safeguards our mental health, physical health and quality of life. Yet more than a third of American adults are not getting enough sleep on a consistent basis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Whether you suffer from sleep deprivation yourself, or are just generally looking for better sleeping tips, here are our top 7 tips for getting a good night’s rest:

#Tip 1: Stay cool

The temperature of your room contributes greatly to sleep quality. Your body temperature is one of the cues that your body’s circadian rhythm uses to determine the time to sleep. The recommended temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 Celsius), give or take. Experiment with different temperatures to find the temperature that helps your sleep best and stick to it consistently thereafter. You can do this by taking notes for a week on your sleep quality based on different temperature settings to find the optimal temperature for your best sleep.

#Tip 2: Watch when and what you eat

The time when you eat also affects your quality of sleep. For instance, having a huge meal close to bedtime is taxing on your body as it is winding down at night. Additionally, late meals also run the risk of indigestion or heartburn that will keep you awake at night. What you eat is as important as when you eat. Fun fact: Caffeine has a half-life of about 5 hours and can stay in the bloodstream until bedtime depending on the dosage taken, time consumed and personal factors of the individual. If you are sensitive to caffeine, you should reduce or eliminate your caffeine intake altogether to improve your sleep. 

#Tip 3:  Be consistent with your sleep schedule

It is also important to be consistent on the time you go to bed. We have all experienced the disorienting effects of jet lag when you arrive at different time zones - your body’s circadian rhythm is thrown off from what it is accustomed to. 

Keep a consistent time when you go to bed so that your body is able to develop an internal ‘clock’ for bedtime. This also means you should not have different sleep patterns on weekends compared to weekdays; having variability in your sleep on different days can prevent your body from settling into a familiar pattern of when to sleep. Additionally, having a naturally formed sleep cycle has the added benefit of not requiring alarms to wake up or needing to snooze.

#Tip 4: Rock the blue blocker glasses

The COVID-19 pandemic has made working from home arrangements the norm, which has also contributed to increased screen time on electronic devices. Unfortunately, increased use of electronic devices interferes with both the quantity and quality of sleep. The intensity of blue light from our electronic devices deceives our body into thinking it is still daylight, consequently affecting our circadian rhythm. If your work demands constant screen time, consider getting blue blocker glasses to reduce exposure to blue light to mitigate the harmful effects to your sleep.

#Tip 5: Exercise during the day regularly

Studies have shown proper regular exercise not only improves sleep quality, but can also alleviate sleep-related problems such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Exercise also helps to psychologically alleviate stress by reducing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, while stimulating the production of endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevators and painkillers. 

However, try to incorporate exercise earlier in the day or at least three hours before  bedtime. Exercise raises your body’s metabolism and temperature, which will interfere with your sleep as you are winding down. If night time is the only time of the day you can exercise, try light workouts such as yoga or stretching instead. 

#Tip 6: Meditate before sleeping

For those who don’t have the time nor energy to squeeze in a workout, meditation is your next best alternative. Mindfulness and meditation has been shown to reduce insomnia, fatigue and depression. Meditating can be easily done in a quiet setting while alone, or you can use online resources such as Spotify relaxation or meditation playlists to help guide your meditation. Various meditation techniques include mindfulness meditation, guided imagery and music, body scan meditation and deep breathing, all of which can easily be done from the comforts of your own home.

#Tip 7: Replace your bedding

Don’t underestimate the effect that bedding has on your sleep. Be sure to clean your bedding,  pillowcases, pillows and blankets frequently, or they could harbor unsavory bacteria, mites and dust that can cause allergies or irritations that affect your sleep. It is recommended to clean your pillows and bedding at least once a week. Similarly, investing in a good mattress and pillows can help your sleep significantly by supporting your body as you sleep. Bad body posture can lead to body aches that affect both your sleep and productivity while you’re awake. 

Wrapping it all up

Sleep is a much needed necessity yet widely neglected function for a society that is getting significantly busier. Yet we need not alter our lifestyles very drastically to enjoy the benefits of sleep and still lead productive lives. We hope these seven tips above can help you to get the sleep you need while chasing your dreams. 

The Future of Wellness in Properties

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, health and wellness have never been more crucial. The pandemic forced most of us to work from home and removed many options for leisure and recreation. Furthermore, the stressors that we experience from work are now mixed with the responsibilities at home, whether it's being a parent, a partner or a working professional. Residents have a greater need to outsource household chores while maximizing time to recover or release stress. 

Fortunately, innovative and ingenious means to look after the well-being of residents through building and amenity design is growing. This has led to the International Well Building Institute introducing a WELL Certification for buildings emphasizing the optimization of design, operations and behaviors for health and well-being of residents. Property developers can design buildings based on WELL principles that integrate the activities of residents, making daily chores more manageable and creating more opportunities for an active lifestyle. 

So what are these strategies you can implement to enhance the wellness of your residents?

Set the right conditions behind the scenes

Air

Polluted air contributes to 50,000 premature deaths annually in the United States and an estimated one in eight premature deaths worldwide. Indoor air quality can be degraded by outdoor sources, as well as from building materials and indoor combustion. These contaminants contribute to asthma, allergies and respiratory illnesses. By ensuring adequate ventilation and installing filtration systems, your residents are less likely to be susceptible to harmful irritants. 

Light

Matthew Walker’s book on Why We Sleep argues that one of the reasons why we don’t fall asleep easily is due to intense lighting that trick our brains into thinking that it is still daytime. 

Automated environmental controls can help residents by progressively dimming the lights as the day grows late to attune their circadian rhythms accordingly. Likewise automatic blinds and lights that are enabled in the morning can help rouse residents as they wake, to start their days more productively. 

Temperature 

Additionally, regulating temperatures can play a part in wellbeing -  be it cooler temperatures helping people fall asleep or concentrate better when working, or be it warmer temperatures to  help gym-goers work up a sweat faster when working out. Automated temperature controls also help to reduce our carbon footprint by only turning on air-conditioning at the most needed times of the day. 

Outsource chores to free up time and energy

For many of us, our chores have intensified with working from home arrangements. This is made more challenging as businesses and amenities have changed their operating hours. 

Instead of residents needing to settle these chores on their own, developers can create technological solutions that resolve these chores. Imagine being able to book the gym, order groceries and have your laundry done at a time and date of your choice at your fingertips through phone apps. While this might seem like a practical and logistical design solution, it also contributes to wellbeing by providing greater peace of mind and freeing up people’s time to relax and rejuvenate.

URBN Playground’s Concierge App accomplishes the above. The app brings services such as housekeeping, fitness classes, amenity space bookings, dry cleaning and even pet setting into a single app. The latest features to the app include interior design and meal planning, which were introduced over the last year to meet recurring requests, testament to the versatility of the app to scale and add new features as residents’ needs grow. 

Make it flexible and fun to exercise 

We’ve always known that exercise is important for our health - the American College of Sports Medicine suggests that adults engage in at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week, with strength training exercises at least two days a week. 

Yet the prevalence of physical inactivity still accounts for 30% of heart disease, 27% of type 2 diabetes and an increased risk of having a stroke. Exercising has become more difficult with the onset of the pandemic, as juggling between family, professional and personal commitments leaves us little energy to find a gym that is open, keep track of our fitness routines and stay true to our fitness goals. 

With restrictions on many gym facilities, flexibility for in-residence gyms and spaces have become the new norm. Instead of being equipped with the most sophisticated equipment, it has become more desirable for gym spaces to be easily converted for various purposes, from cardio to meditation to weight training. Exercise need not be confined to gym spaces either - open gardens, patios and walks are also popular for families with children or elderlies that just want to enjoy some fresh air.

For the more intense gym-goers, tailored virtual fitness programs can help residents meet their fitness goals anytime, anywhere - including while social distancing. URBN Playground’s URBN Burn delivers tailored research-backed fitness programs that emphasize empathy and flexibility in helping residents maintain their levels of fitness, whether it is through cardio, meditation, weight training or proper nutrition.

Summing things up

The pandemic has undoubtedly rocked our set ways and routines from the past, created new pressures and stressors from home and work, and limited our options for wellness. It has become more crucial to be creative and ingenious in incorporating building and amenity design that promotes residents’ wellness without needing further effort from their end. 

Despite the challenges it has brought, the pandemic has also provided new opportunities to innovate for greater resident wellness, as exemplified by the scenarios above, and we anticipate more exciting solutions in the pipeline.

How Technology is Transforming Residential Living

One of the biggest changes the pandemic brought to our lives is the shift to digital. Almost overnight, our lives moved online. And what were emerging trends for multifamily residential that were still seen as nice-to-have luxuries suddenly became essential. 

In this article, we look at how digitalization and technology has changed residential living dramatically. We explore some of the trends we think are set to stay even as the economy and world recovers from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Trends covered in this article:

• Fitness amenities get more high tech

• Amenity booking apps take center stage

• Building administration goes digital

• Package lockers optimize deliveries

• Smart home technology is on the rise

• WFH amenities become more essential

Fitness amenities get personal. 

Peloton made personalized fitness training mainstream. For instance, a customer’s very first interaction with Peloton involves taking a test-ride to assess a user’s baseline. From the data gathered from users, Peloton shows users customized training programs appropriate for their fitness levels and allows them to track their progress through gamification.

But personalization doesn’t only have to be high tech. Even properties that may not choose to invest in pricey Peloton machines are increasingly offering personalized amenities such as virtual personal training memberships. URBN Burn, our proprietary fitness program, is one such program that we offer in properties we manage. When residents sign up for a package, they receive a personalized training plan based on their fitness goals and level, and have live, one-on-one coaching and consultation sessions with our fitness trainers. 

Amenity booking apps take center stage.

One of the big trends that emerged during Covid-19 was the trend of contactless interactions. We think this trend is set to stay even post-Covid-19, as it goes hand in hand with the concept of frictionless customer service. Residents are realizing that contactless also equals convenience and not having to go to a specific counter or wait around to be served. 

Through amenity booking apps such as the URBN Playground app, residents can book amenity spaces, services, and appointments. The URBN app can be configured to a property’s available amenities and services, including everything from cleaning to grocery shopping, pet sitting, mani/pedis, personal training, and more.

Building administration goes digital.

As the contactless trend continues, this also extends to recurring transactions like paying rent and making building maintenance requests. In response, digitized resident portals have sprung up to cater to these needs. Such platforms have allowed building managers to manage maintenance requests more efficiently while making the process more convenient for residents, as well.

Companies that have eliminated paper-based checks and moved payments online report on average a 50 percent decrease in delinquencies and a 65 decrease in the time staff members spend processing payments. 

Package lockers optimize deliveries.

Amenities and maintenance requests are not the only services going digital. Even package rooms are transitioning into the digital age. The shift to digital has already been happening, with large buildings using mailroom management software to help package room staff to keep track of inventory and collections more efficiently. Smart package lockers are also eliminating the need for staffing a package room altogether. 

Package lockers allow residents to receive larger packages that can’t fit in mailboxes, and pick up those packages at their convenience from a locker that is storing their package. This is done using some form of ID verification, either using a fob key, pin code, access card, or QR code to unlock the package locker.

While this solution reduces the staff headcount needed, it’s also easier for residents, who can now self-serve and access the package room at any time, 24/7, when it’s convenient for them. Having packages stored away in individual lockers also makes the package room look neater and less cluttered.

Smart home technology is on the rise.

With 66 percent of Americans admitting to sleeping with their phones at night, smartphones are becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives. Along with this trend is the growing adoption of smart home technology, which not only provides convenience but efficiency and potentially even energy savings. Some building developers are starting to integrate smart home technology into the design of multifamily units, as well. 

For instance, the world's first Net Zero Energy high-rise multifamily building that is being developed in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, will make use of top-tier smart home features such as app-controlled blinds, thermostats, lighting and locks. 

WFH amenities become more essential.

It’s not just Microsoft that is fundamentally rethinking the way we work with its latest announcement of the Windows 11 features. Building developers are starting to realize as well that many trends related to working from home / hybrid working are likely to continue well after the pandemic recedes. 

Many people have now discovered the flexibility and convenience of working from home - but are clamoring for better amenities to support this new work set up. At the top of the list of WFH amenities valued by residents are: 1) Wireless self-service printing, copying, and scanning, and 2) Faster internet. These two perks alone trumped amenities like individual working pods, video chat booths, in-home office design services, and office equipment rental services, in a recent survey by Satisfacts. 

In response to this demand, developers have elevated high speed Wi-Fi from a nice-to-have amenity to an essential service. Just two years ago, in 2019, only 5% of new luxury property developments had a managed Wi-Fi system. This year, roughly 70% of new developments are installing a managed Wi-Fi system, according to RealPage.

Work with us to digitize your building amenities

We hope this list of trends has given you some insights and food for thought. We’d be thrilled to speak with you or arrange a complimentary consultation call to discuss your building’s digital needs. 

Contact URBN Playground now → 

URBN Playground has made the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America!

Inc. magazine today revealed that URBN Playground is No. 1411 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses.

Not only have the companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but this year’s list also proved especially resilient and flexible given 2020’s unprecedented challenges. Among the 5,000, the average median three-year growth rate soared to 543 percent, and median revenue reached $11.1 million. Together, those companies added more than 610,000 jobs over the past three years.

 Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2021.

Amy Blitz Selected to Crain's NY Notable Women Business Owners 2021

URBN Playground is incredibly honored to announce that Amy Blitz, Co-Founder, was selected to Crain’s New York Business 2021’s Notable Women Business Owners.

With its list of Notable Women Business Owners, Crain’s recognizes those who have forged their career paths and, in turn, powered the city’s economy. Women-owned companies represent more than 40% of all registered businesses in the city and generate more than $70 billion in revenue annually. The accomplishments of the women on these pages mirror a commitment by the city to support women-owned businesses.

You can read the full announcement at the link below:

Crain’s NY Business - 2021 Notable Women Business Owners

Developing Amenities by Defining Your Property Audience

Having the latest state of the art amenities in your property accomplishes little if the amenities end up underused. Defining your property audience is quintessential in elevating the status of your property from mere brick and mortar to a place residents seek peace, security, convenience, and leisure - a place to call home. 

Here are the four questions to help you define your property audience, to help you develop amenities that matter.

Which demographic are you serving?

The needs and lifestyle of a working professional significantly differs from that of a family. Families need more space for children and also need recreational areas, playgrounds and parks for quality family time, along with larger parking bays to accommodate bigger or multiple vehicles. 

For the busy working professional, desired amenities may vary; working professionals typically enjoy an active lifestyle and will seek out gym and sports facilities as well as lounge or barbecue areas to host friends. 

Additionally, the advent of the pandemic has introduced new considerations for both families and working professionals alike, particularly from a work-from-home angle. There is now a strong need for flexibility to repurpose living spaces. Multipurpose spaces can accommodate work/school arrangements and convert to leisure spaces when needed.

What is the neighborhood like?

The location and environment where the property is situated will play a role in the development of amenities. Tenants living in crowded urban spaces tend to seek ease of access to public transportation. They might also spend a lot of time commuting, and hence seek services that deliver convenience such as laundry and house cleaning services. URBN Playground’s Concierge App enables residents to access services such as housekeeping, grocery shopping, dry cleaning, pet sitting, and hair and beauty services with a few swipes on a screen. 

Suburban enclaves, on the other hand, have other points of attraction such as open spaces, and a sense of community. Walkability, landscaping, storage space for bikes and sports gear, and convenient access to community-focused amenities such as sports complexes and shopping malls would likely be the emphasis in suburban settings. Families are also more likely to populate suburban settings to accommodate more family members and pets while enabling their children to mingle amongst peers that is otherwise harder to do in a city. Suburban spaces may not have the sights, sounds and attractions of the city, but its attraction is premised on the peace and sense of community that it brings.  

How should you develop your floor space?

Bigger is not necessarily better! For students and early career professionals - their biggest priority when looking for a place to rent is likely budget and affordability. As they are striving to advance in their careers and in their studies, extensive amenities might not be of top priority for them and they may be willing to give up extensive amenity space in exchange for modest shared, communal amenities. 

One major consideration for many developers following the impact of Covid-19 is bigger package rooms, as online shopping and food delivery surged to unprecedented heights. Enhanced package rooms don’t only require shelving and locker spaces - in the most premium of locations, they often include chillers to keep groceries fresh, or insulated storage to keep food warm. Waiting areas for delivery riders may also be something to consider to build into your amenity plan. 

With working from home becoming the norm, most residences may now need to offer some degree of co-working and study spaces to facilitate virtual calls.

What else does your audience care about?

Some properties inherit architectural and historical elements that may pique the interest of the more aesthetically inclined. Restoring and preserving these elements and blending them into the amenity plan may also be part of the appeal for your audience. 

In New York, for instance, there are a range of different residential buildings that possess a unique heritage and flavor of their own. Lofts were formerly inexpensive industrial spaces with open floor plans, plenty of light and high ceilings; today, they attract artistically-inclined buyers looking to use the place for creative uses. Traditional townhouses and brownstones offer architecture dating back to the 1900s, and offer more space than the average Manhattan apartment but also come at a larger price tag. 

Many discerning buyers today also prioritize sustainability. Ensuring your building complies with green building standards not only increases its marketability. It also offers residents the benefits of improved quality of life, lower energy costs, and being able to boast about the building’s innovative designs and modern architecture. 

Conclusion

Tailoring amenities to suit your residents first involves understanding the target audience. Other considerations worth thinking about include how the building fits into the rest of the neighborhood, how much space your target audience really needs, and if there are other special considerations such as the unique characteristics of the building itself. Understanding your audience and developing amenities to suit them will lead to greater resident satisfaction, higher occupancy rates, better word of mouth marketing, and greater profitability. 

How to Achieve Cardio, Core, and Strength With Kettlebells

Kettlebell Swings: The all-in-one movement for cardio, core and strength!

Where should I feel these?

• Glutes

• Hamstrings

• Lats

• Core (deep core muscles braced to protect spine)

The Setup 
We recommend starting from a "hike" position. Dig your feet into the ground (think about "spreading the floor outward" with your feet) and sit back into what is essentially a deadlift start position. You'll want to place your kettlebell just beyond your reach, so you have to tilt the bell to grab the handle. *Don't crush your grip! You'll need to have a slightly loose grip to allow the handle to rotate a little during the swings.

The Middle Position 
Just before you begin your movement, make sure your lats are engaged by pulling your shoulder blades down toward your "back pockets". Then, without shifting your weight forward or dropping your torso, hike that kettlebell back between your legs, keeping your arms close to your inner thighs. As soon as you feel that kettlebell just below your butt (or even tapping it), thrust your hips forward and stand up straight. 

The End Position 
After the initial "hike" and immediate hip thrust, your arms should float up in front of you. Your glutes should be squeezed, midsection braced (like bracing for a punch), and lats still tucked into your back pockets.

After you've completed the swing, your lats should remain tucked into your back pockets. Your arms should fall naturally - aka let gravity do it's thing, no need to pull your arms downward. As the kettlebell approaches your hips, you're going to "catch" the kettlebell by sitting into that same "between your legs, arms close to your inner thighs" middle position from above. 

This is the point where you decide to perform continuous swings or just set the weight down. We recommend practicing with a few "dead swings" before attempting continuous swings. The dead swing is basically a 1-rep swing, which allows you to focus on having proper body alignment, form and ensure you aren't feeling the move in the wrong place (aka the lower back.. we never want to feel the lower back). 

For the dead swing, follow all three steps above, "catch" the kettlebell and set it back gently onto the ground. Then set up all over again for your next rep. 

For continuous swings, follow all three steps above - but as soon as you "catch" that kettlebell after your initial rep, you're going to thrust those hips forward again to achieve your end position. Continue that "catch" and hip thrust until you've completed your desired number of reps, time, etc. 

You can incorporate kettlebell swings as a cardio finisher for a strength workout, part of an overall HIIT circuit, or it's own quick-but-deadly mini workout. 

If you're strapped for time, try this 10-minute kettlebell swing EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute) workout:

Set your timer for 10 mins. Pick a number of swings (We suggest starting with 10 reps) to perform at the start of each minute. Perform your first 10 swings, then use the remainder of that minute to rest. Remember that the kettlebell setup takes a few seconds to get into, so get ready to begin your next set before that clock reaches the next minute - then fire away!

For more detailed information on this move or to inquire about personal training, private yoga or other fitness requests, reach out to us at hello@urbnplayground.com.

How Urban Communities Are Transforming Their Spaces for Work, Play, and Living

The pandemic brought devastation and disrupted our way of life. But it also made us pause to reconsider things from a different perspective.

As we faced limited options for moving around our cities and interacting with one another, we discovered new ways to work, play, and live. Some of these, it turns out, actually improved our quality of life. And some of these new trends are set to stay even as the world begins to re-open up and we work towards herd immunity.

Here are some of the trends we feel are set to stay even in the wake of Covid-19:

Rethinking mobility

As the pandemic limited our commute, it didn’t just save us time - it made us realize that it was still important to move. We took to our sidewalks and streets to walk, run, and bike - just to get our hearts pumping and fresh air in our lungs. 

Experienced urban planners like Janette Sadik-Khan, principal at Bloomberg Associates and former commissioner of NYC DOT, believes that transportation is “at the heart” of the Covid-19 recovery for cities around the world. 

In a column for FastCompany, Janette draws examples of how major cities everywhere, from Milan to Paris to London to American cities - have been announcing plans to extend sidewalks and bike lanes and create hundreds of miles of flexible streets that are not just designed for cars. 

She wrote, “...our streets are really a lifeline, and not just a way to get cars from point A to point B. With all the traffic gone, you can see all the possibilities hidden in plain sight. We’ve had a car-centric orientation for generations now, and it actually doesn’t work. On many streets in New York City, 90% of the traffic is pedestrian, but they only get 10% of the street space. We can redesign our streets so there’s more room for people to walk in, more room for people to bike, and dedicated bus lanes.”

More pedestrian-friendly streets are not just key for our health and wellbeing - they are beneficial for the climate too. 

Being together, safely

Covid-19 caused the world to realize what Asia realized since the SARS outbreak in 2003 - that dense urban spaces are breeding ground for viruses to spread. Not only that, cities were also centers of pollution and poor air quality. To combat the spread of viruses and filter out pollution, mask-wearing was already commonplace in many dense Asian cities. 

The idea of protecting ourselves from airborne pathogens or polluted air has since spread beyond masks. In every country around the world, innovative ways for people to congregate, while staying safe, have popped up. These include:

• Goldfish bowl-like acrylic screens that encircle patron’s heads as they interact in night clubs and restaurants;

• Plexiglass dividers in between treadmills and machines in gyms and sports centers;

• Drive-in open-air art performances where people can watch performances from behind their car windshields; 

• Bubble domes that allow individuals to dine in safety among other diners - or to take a group yoga class together; and many more!

These new ways of interacting in a shared space allow us to experience the magic of being together, close enough to see each other’s facial expressions without the lag of an unstable Zoom connection - while staying protected.

Better air quality

As we learned more about how the airborne Covid-19 pathogen spreads, especially through enclosed environments with poor ventilation and airflow, we realized how critical good air quality is. 

Besides spreading disease, poor air can increase the risk of heart and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer. It’s also a major factor in causing asthma (or making it worse). As asthma rates among children are soaring around the world, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued clear warnings that we need to improve the quality of the air we breathe.

According to the EPA, indoor air quality can be 2 to 5X more polluted than outside air - due to poor ventilation and air circulation. This is why scientists who study air quality are demanding a “paradigm shift” in ventilation standards. Just like how many restaurants and public spaces are required to display their hygiene ratings, they argue for the public to demand greater transparency about an establishment’s ventilation. 

According to Lidia Morawska, a physicist and an aerosol expert at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia who has advised the World Health Organization on the spread of airborne pathogens, we don’t really need to come up with new technologies to measure ventilation. 

“The simplest (though perhaps over-simplistic) would be a display of CO2 concentration.... Either via handheld CO2 monitors or CO2 monitors mounted in a public, visible space,” she says. Such a monitor would showcase whether there are a lot of people breathing in this room and whether what they are exhaling is being cleared out quickly. 

She adds that this concept is not new: “There are standards for CO2 concentrations, though in many buildings no one checks. But if it was mandated [to display CO2 concentrations in an indoor space] individuals could see the ventilation is bad.”

She also explains that this technology has been used in Germany for at least the last decade, if not longer, in schools. The CO2 meter also has a traffic light system: green, yellow, and red. The students and the teachers don’t have to look at what the concentration is, they see the color and immediately know what the air quality is.

Bringing nature closer

We’ve also realized how important nature is when faced with limited options to travel to exotic places. Many of us rediscovered our local parks, running trails, forests, beaches, and lakes, with fresh eyes. 

And amid Zoom fatigue and combating the increased mental health challenges of living through a pandemic, we’ve realized the importance and therapeutic effect of nature. 

Halvard Dalheim, Practitioner in Residence at The Henry Halloran Trust, University of Sydney, suggests that some ways urban planners might incorporate nature into everyday life includes “developing a lattice of widened nature strips” where people can walk, rest, and play, as well as “expanding urban tree cover and pocket parks”.

He also adds that “Better street lighting might be an important enabler for a walking community, not just a minimum provision for those who may dare to walk.” 

Mixed-use developments

When every trip out of your home meant risking deadly pathogens, people thought twice about venturing out. But in the process, we’ve also gained efficiencies in how we make our grocery runs, and realized how much time we previously wasted in commuting. 

Even after Covid-19, people are going to continue looking for options that save time and provide maximum convenience. This has escalated the trend towards mixed-use developments. Today’s buildings are more than just a shopping destination, or just a place to sleep. 

While mixed-use developments have been on the rise for some time, pre-Covid-19 the main anchor tenants were usually retail or office spaces. As offices have adapted to remote and hybrid work, and retailers have shifted to a ‘brick and click’ model - suddenly, these options seem less attractive as anchor tenants. 

Michael. Kaiser, Director of Design at The Beck Group, a Dallas-based integrated design-build firm and a member of multiple Associated General Contractors (AGC) chapters, believes that: “The most significant opportunity in mixed-use is focusing on the ways people prefer to live, work and play – now and in the years ahead. With this as the lens, medium-density residential is arguably the best anchor in today’s mixed-use environment because it is incumbent on the designers and developers to increase the amenities that mixed-use offers.”

The reason residential spaces can play a significant role in defining mixed-use buildings is because residential “blurs the lines of what it means to live, work and play in one place”. Today, people can choose to work fully or partially from home - so office and co-working spaces will complement the residential space. 

In between, people will also seek out ‘third spaces’ for recreation. With residential as an anchor, the development can center around many of the other trends already mentioned above - such as open-air, green spaces, and flexible amenities that many people desire, such as gardens and terraces. 

Co-working pockets in residential buildings

Last but not least, co-working is set to stay. With the efficiencies many people have gained once they adjusted to working from home during the pandemic, many don’t want to return to the way things were.

As many employers, especially in big tech, had already begun to offer flexible working arrangements, developers were already betting on co-working spaces built into amenity offerings. 

These include conference rooms and private offices that residents can reserve, even if doing so means reducing the amount of recreational amenity space. 

“Ten years ago, all these lounges were put into buildings for parties that never happened,” said Jeremy Brutus, co-founder of URBN Playground recently in the New York Times. “Now lounges are being used for work. It’s a shift in the way space in buildings is being used.”

When It Comes to Amenities, Sometimes Bigger Isn't Always Better

When looking at the residential amenity landscape, you tend to see and hear advice along the lines of “the top amenities to invest in”, “how to select future-proof amenities”, and “trends in amenity programming”. What these approaches have in common is the tendency to see amenities as a single set of offerings for the overall population.

At URBN Playground, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to programming amenity spaces. Instead of looking at the larger group that uses a building, we identify subpopulations and varied personalities, and think about the different ways that amenities can accommodate their needs. 

There are many reasons a person might choose to live or work in a certain building - but a primary driver of choice is the neighborhood and the location. The amenities in a building can add to that experience, but two people in the same building might want different things out of the amenities. One might want social spaces, while the other prefers a quiet place where they can focus. 

We believe catering to these unique sub-populations is key, especially as there are more renters with disposable income and more power of choice than ever before. According to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, the number of renters making $100,000 increased by 5% nationwide in 2017. This leads to growing competition among building managers to stand out from the crowd and attract tenants. 

A home for every resident

At URBN, we look at designing amenity programs that will meet the needs of the individual. We want everyone to say, "This is my favorite place in the world", instead of "I can make this work".

As Brian McAuliffe, President of CBRE Capital Markets, said: “...amenity innovation is critical to the success and competitive advantage of apartment properties. It’s not enough to offer rooftop grilling areas or dog runs; owners and developers must think carefully about amenities and services that work together to create a cohesive community.”

This might sound like it requires a lot of effort and investment - but catering to the needs of different sub-groups within your community doesn’t have to cost more. Rather, it’s about being thoughtful and creative with how amenity spaces are designed and set up, so they can be programmed in many multifunctional ways. Here’s a few examples of what this could look like when we design amenity programs for different clients, seen through the lens of some trending amenities:

Communal living spaces

More than ever before, the pandemic has underlined the importance of community and connection. Renters today who flock to the city for work are looking for a “home away from home” and seek out spaces where they can host friends and get to know their neighbors. 

A building may have a beautifully-appointed lounge area - but ultimately it’s the type of events hosted in the residents’ lounge that determines how often it will be frequented. At URBN, our calendar of events is diverse and varied - ranging from kids’ parties to super bowl parties and cocktail workshop nights - showcasing how the same space can be changed up to serve many different groups of people. 

Common spaces for the arts

As people are confined to their buildings, they turn to music and the arts for an escape. Many buildings now offer writing and recording rooms for residents to express their creativity. When thinking about investing into audio and visual equipment, it’s worthwhile thinking about how they could serve different purposes. For instance, during lockdowns, the space could be offered as a recording studio for rent to residents who want a creative outlet. Post-pandemic, the space could be rearranged to serve as an intimate venue for poetry, comedy, and live music nights for residents. 

Quiet spaces with ergonomic desks could be used by individual residents for working, writing, or journaling - but they could also be reprogrammed to host artistic and creative group activities like watercolor and calligraphy workshops. 

Maker spaces for the “DIY” generation

As Covid-19 has driven us towards picking up indoor hobbies, the DIY trend has continued to grow - leading many buildings to allocate “maker spaces” as part of their amenity offerings. But creating a useful maker space is about more than just plopping some handy tools and materials in a room. It’s important to think about the many different kinds of hobbies residents might have, and outfit the space to serve these different interests. 

For instance, do units in the building have balconies where residents have taken up urban gardening? The maker space could house gardening equipment, while also serving as a venue for gardening workshops to be held. Are people turning to exercise they can do around their neighborhood, such as biking, to avoid enclosed gym spaces? Think about offering tools for bike maintenance and repair. The possibilities are endless!

Co-working spaces and technology

The “business center” or “business lounge” of the past is long gone. Space allocated for chunky equipment, such as desktop computers, and filing / storage space is no longer necessary in a cloud-based world. The additional space freed up has made way for modern co-working spaces which feature a mix of open hotdesks and collaborative spaces, alongside quiet, soundproof call booths and quiet spaces. 

At URBN, we believe that the invisible service that occurs in these spaces is just as important as the physical setup. The speed of WiFi and ease of getting connected in these common areas is just as important as having comfy, ergonomic chairs and bright, cheerful rooms. 

To help buildings deliver more comprehensive service to their residents, we offer a proprietary virtual concierge app that can be programmed as a one-stop shop for all the different needs of your building residents. From interior design requests to booking cleaning, pet walking, and fitness training services, all these requests are centralized in a single app, making it hassle-free and easy for your residents to get their service needs met.

Integrated, flexible fitness spaces

In the past, building owners have typically taken a “set it and forget it” approach to fitness centers. This leads to costly gym equipment sitting unused and abandoned, as they don’t meet the needs of the users. We are strong proponents of the fact that fitness spaces should be multifunctional. For instance, a studio space with mirrored walls can be used for a range of different group classes, from yoga to pilates to dance to martial arts classes. 

Even with gym spaces, functional fitness training equipment such as TRX, kettlebells, resistance bands, and free weights offer a wider variety of possible exercises, while taking up less space and being easy to move around and reconfigure. At URBN, we enjoy mixing up our fitness programming to meet the needs of what customers are currently looking for and excited by, instead of limiting ourselves to static treadmills and rowing machines. 

Game rooms

As Covid-19 has brought families and neighbors closer together, it has created a resurgence in nostalgic gaming - from video games to board games. Instead of installing a gaming area that doesn’t offer much variety (eg. a virtual golf simulator), a game room with a large screen and several different gaming consoles, along with large tables for board games can offer much more variety in terms of games that residents of all ages and interests can enjoy. 

In terms of programming, themed “game tournament nights”, from retro arcade games to European strategy board games, can be organized to create a greater sense of community and camaraderie among residents. 

We hope these examples will serve as inspiration for thinking one level deeper when considering different amenities for your building. Ultimately, it’s less about the actual physical amenities that get installed, and more about the thought process and approach to service and program design that will determine how much these amenities are utilized - and how much residents will see their building as a home, instead of just a roof over their heads. 

URBN Playground Celebrates 5 Years in Business and the Expansion to Seven States in the Last 18 Months

Amenity Management, Design, and Concierge Tech Firm URBN Playground, One of NY Metro Area’s Fastest-Growing Companies After Just Five Years in Business, Expands to Seven States in Last 18 Months.

NEW YORK – URBN Playground, which provides full-service amenity management, design, space planning, tech, and staffing to residential, multifamily, commercial, and hospitality properties around the United States, celebrated its fifth anniversary with 30 percent growth in number of projects this year already as the firm has been hired to provide amenity planning, design, staffing, and/or concierge technology to more condominiums, rentals, country clubs, and corporate flagship offices. Its client roster includes Hines Development, Extell Development, Toll Brothers, and many other real estate developers, landlords, corporations, and hospitality firms of all sizes.

 The New York City-based firm, which ranked #29 on the Inc. 5000 Regionals List of fastest-growing companies for New York Metro, was founded by fitness guru Amy Blitz and concierge veteran Jeremy Brutus in May 2016. In the last 18 months, they have expanded from servicing primarily one state - New York - to seven states around the country, in part a result of its newly launched concierge on-demand app.  Accomplished without any outside funding to service, URBN Playground has also made amenity programming accessible to every building – not just new development with physical spaces – through its concierge app connecting residents and tenants with programming and services at the touch of a button.

 “We are proud of URBN Playground’s accomplishments these last five years and are excited and optimistic about the future of amenities, which we believe lies in exceptional service,” said Jeremy Brutus, co-founder, URBN Playground.

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About URBN Playground

At URBN Playground, decades of expertise in amenity programming, luxury hospitality service, and fitness and wellness come together to deliver soup-to-nuts full-service amenity management, design and space planning, technology, and staffing to residential and commercial real estate properties. A proprietary on-demand services app delivers cutting-edge tech to the end-user; while concierge services and best-in-class fitness programming keep communities engaged. Founded in 2016 by fitness guru and celebrity trainer Amy Blitz and hospitality veteran Jeremy Brutus, the firm’s 50-plus clients in New York City, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, and Texas span a who’s who of real estate.

Top 8 Trends That Will Shape Fitness in 2022

The years 2020 to 2021 have proven pivotal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the pandemic reverberates until today and pervades almost every aspect of our lives, from our careers to our social lives and to our personal well-being, including fitness.

Interest in fitness has gathered steam, as many of us who have been confined to our homes sought ways to cope with stresses from the pandemic and adjust to living in lockdown conditions. While gyms are still working to bring back full capacity, in virtually every other area of fitness, the demand has never been greater.

Here is our list of top eight trends of how the fitness industry is changing, so you can best strategize to meet the needs of your customers and residents in the future:

Trend #1: Online Fitness Continues to Grow

As countries enacted lockdowns to stem the spread of the virus, forcing temporary closures of gyms and studios consequently steered the migration of fitness classes to online channels. These online classes later proved to be highly versatile for clients; users can join live streaming classes with their friends or join new classes to meet new people. Those with busy schedules can catch recorded classes at a time of their choosing instead. The burgeoning sphere of virtual fitness will likely continue in the future given the flexibility and range of online classes that are available that suit the needs of just about anyone and everyone.

Trend #2: Personal Training Gains Popularity

Along similar lines, the busy individual may not have the time to research and to plan a workout routine that fits their goals while taking into account the limited access to gyms and equipment. Personal trainers can help to design fitness plans that are tailored to the specific needs of the individual, in addition to serving as an accountability buddy in helping clients stay motivated to meet their fitness goals. As a case-in-point, URBN Playground’s URBN Burn programs help clients to map out their fitness needs, whether its exercise, healthy eating, rest or mindfulness. The programs emphasize self-care, work-life flexibility, accountability and equality. 

Trend #3: Higher Use of Do-it-yourself Workout Apps

For DIY types and those who prefer not to have personal trainers, workout apps have become the go-to resource for fitness routines. The benefit of workout apps are their convenience; users can take their phones with them wherever they go, and their workouts are already programmed with their previous workout sessions recorded to track progress. Additionally, there is a plethora of workout routines that are readily available with varying difficulty levels that users can select based on their level of fitness, ensuring that they will never be short of challenges. 

Trend #4: Bodyweight Training Becomes the Norm

As fitness shifted indoors, users lacked the space and equipment otherwise available in physical gyms. As a viable alternative, bodyweight training has been an inexpensive and convenient means to exercise effectively. While bodyweight exercises can be complemented with basic fitness equipment such as resistance bands, these aren’t a necessity.  Additionally, bodyweight training can be modified to suit the intensity or functional needs that the individual desires, and does not need a huge space. We foresee bodyweight based training to persist as an alternative to weight or equipment-assisted training as lockdowns and social distancing remain in place for some time to come.  

Trend #5: Mindfulness is Just as Important as Fitness

Fitness is as much an exercise for the body as it is for the mind. Forced to work from home, most of us now have to deal with longer working hours, more responsibilities to your loved ones, while having to contend with reduced options for physical exercise and social activities. For some, the idea of an intense workout after a long day’s work isn’t the most appealing; a more relaxing alternative to decompress is through meditation and yoga.  Yoga, meditation and mindfulness programs have seen a surge in popularity as well, with yoga equipment seeing 154% growth in sales throughout the pandemic.

Trend #6: Higher Adoption of Wearable Tech

Wearable technology ranging from Fitbits to Garmins are becoming increasingly hailed as commodities and no longer luxury items, as wearable tech becomes increasingly affordable. Demand has risen as health concerns intensified amid the pandemic. Those of us who have become more health conscious now have a means to monitor and track our basic health indicators as well as fitness levels. The increasing sophistication of fitness trackers goes beyond measuring heart rate, calories burnt and steps taken in a day - it can now perform cutting-edge functions such as sleep monitoring, blood oxygen and electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors that could warn us if our health is at risk. 

Trend #7: Nature and Fresh Air Take Center Stage 

With travel grinding to a halt, outdoor activities have gained popularity for many looking to escape the four walls of their homes. Walks in the park, hiking, jogging  and cycling have gained popularity since the start of the pandemic. Just stepping outside for some fresh air, sunlight and greenery will reinvigorate and improve your mood.  Taking walks in nature has been shown to lower anxiety and depression and boost overall well-being, according to researchers at the University of Rochester. They found that exposure to nature resulted in participants valuing community and connectedness over superficial concerns. Green spaces, gardens and mini-parks will likely feature heavily in new properties moving forward.

Trend #8: Future Gym Spaces Emphasize Versatility

As things return to normalcy and gyms reopen, new fitness aficionados will be looking to continue the habits they had cultivated during the pandemic. The demand in fitness will likely span group classes with minimal weights and equipment and more focus on bodyweight and high intensity interval training classes. Gym studios will evolve to be easily reconfigured, depending on the needs of different group classes. This could range from dance fitness classes to meditation sessions. Additionally, gym studios would also have to be easily repurposed to accommodate social distancing or virtual classes in the event of future pandemics. 

Wrapping it Up

While the pandemic has forced many of us to take our fitness indoors, it has also enabled new types of fitness to gain popularity. New alternatives have mushroomed,  attracting a host of new fitness enthusiasts that will likely continue their newfound hobbies well after the pandemic ends. We hope the top eight trends we identified above will help guide you on how you can best plan for your properties to meet tomorrow’s demands. 

Co-Working from Your Apartment Building: URBN Playground Featured in The New York Times

URBN Playground was featured in The New York Times “Co-Working from Your Apartment Building”. Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus discussed the shift in residential amenities to accommodate for work from home lifestyles of residents that will remain after the return to work. Lounge spaces, entertainment areas, and outdoor space have been repurposed to accommodate for residents looking for a work/live separation from their residential unit, and the spaces and thinking are here to stay.

You can read the full article at the link below:
The New York Times: Co-Working from Your Apartment Building

How Millennials Are Reshaping Pandemic-Era Offices: URBN Playground Featured in Commercial Observer

URBN Playground’s Head of Built Design & Program, Jay Shafran, was featured in the Commercial Observer’s “How Millennials are Reshaping Pandemic-Era Offices”.

Jay discusses how office amenities and improvements have been driven largely by competition between big corporations aiming for top talent. Amenities have taken the forefront to encourage employees back to the office since the pandemic, and also to recruit the people who don’t work there yet. Jay also commented on the increasingly popular use of integration with mobile app platforms that allow tenants to book services like dry cleaning, iPhone repair, order food, or even call an elevator.

You can read the full article at the link below:

Commercial Observer: How Millennials are Reshaping Pandemic-Era Offices