Architecture and COVID 19
SBCA
Architecture and COVID 19
SBCA
COVID 19 outbreaks have brought lot of changes
in everyone lifestyle and thinking. It has not only brought changes in a
person, but with new restrictions placed on society it is time to rethink about
our built environment. Responding to this pandemic we need to design our
building and cities with new design and innovation.
There are 8 possible ways
which need to be implemented in near future:
1. Flexibility in designing
It is not a new concept but importance of flexibility
in design had increased during this pandemic. In this concept there should be
adjustable walls and screens that can be used to make and open apartment into
various dedicated spaces and same concept can be followed in offices. At times
companies want ability to modify in workplace and allocation of spaces as per
requirement.
2. Shift in offices spaces
With pandemic across the
world there is tremendous change in working style. Offices are reevaluating there
need and searching economical spaces and spacious too. Companies are deserting
spaces which have higher rentals and reducing employees too to cut costs.
people are working for home or alternate working days and concept is shifting
from 100 people in small place to 50 people. Firms are looking forward for long
term adjustment on location strategy.
3. Change in Public space
It is important to rethink
the designing the public spaces and keep people safe. People will be allowed to
use public space with social distancing and these outdoor should be designed
keeping future emergencies in mind there these spaces can be converted into
refuge area. The existing resources should be re-planned to strengthen our
frayed community bonds.
4. Lightweight architecture
During current scenario Government, and other agencies
are looking forward for new design and material in there built up process.
Hospitals and quarantine zone are made in small time either in tent structures,
Shipping containers, modular critical care units or Railway coach. The thought
process of designing is been changed and everyone is searching for portable and
easily assemble light weight structure which are perfect for disaster and
crisis response.
5. Modular construction
With increasing demand in healthcare industry for
hospitals, quarantine centers, testing labs and temporary lodging, modular
construction is fast, economical, lightweight, easily transported and flexible
and these prefabricated modules are increasingly becoming common.
The example is seen
in Wuhan, what china did in the pandemic’s epicenter, the city used modular
construction for two hospitals of 1,000-bed and the 1,600-bed in
about two weeks.
6. Multipurpose building
Design approach seen during this pandemic and adaptive
reuse - in this process existing structure can be used for multipurpose usage.
It is efficient, effective, cost effective, flexible, and quickly reusable and
has sustainable approach to create new spaces, especially in aging
cities.
The example is seen where
New York’s Javits center has been converted into a 2,900-bed hospital, while
the New Orleans Convention Center and Chicago’s McCormick Place were each
turned into 3,000-bed complexes. In Jaipur, India a stadium has been converted
into quarantine center.
7. Decline in car usage
During this lockdown, people are confined to stay in home
and use of automobile is confined to emergency usage. The streets are empty and
there is increase in pedestrian friendly movement. Some countries are offering
free petrol since usage had been dropped beyond expectations. Italy had
announced that it would transform 21.7 miles of its street for cycling track
after lockdown.
8. Change in Interior layout
A drastic change in interior layout will be seen in
office, restaurant layout keeping in mind safe social distancing. Seating shall
be limited and safe distance patrons shall be followed. Some companies are
installing sanitization chamber while some are proposing regular temperature
check along with mask.
There would be many design and layout variations after
pandemic is over.
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