Just over four months after the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Brazil, and about three and a half months after the initial quarantine decrees, many cities still maintain restrictive measures to promote social isolation. Despite the recent easing of restrictions adopted by some states and municipalities, disruptions to the daily routines of architects and students persist, and the popularity of remote activities, such as online courses, has grown over the past few months.
While many architecture firms face reduced demand and stalled construction sites, students have seen their classes suspended or moved online. With more free time—whether due to shorter commutes or reduced workloads—students and architects have turned to online courses to sharpen or expand their skills in tools, software, and theoretical concepts.
Two months ago, we asked our readers what architecture professionals could do to overcome or avoid a crisis in the architecture and construction industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the responses, many highlighted upskilling or learning new skills as a way to stand out in the job market and make productive use of free time. Echoing these reader suggestions, searches for "online course" in Brazil increased significantly in the last week of March, peaking over the last 12-month period, according to Google Trends. Despite a decline in the following months, searches are still nearly double what they were before COVID-19 spread across the country.
