Envelope in the Times of Coronavirus
In a hospital, the exterior and interior are full of envelopes that try to prevent the spread of disease. Additionally, they are covered in highly specific antimicrobial coatings, plastics and fabrics. Ventilation is used to exchange air from outside. The environment is sterile, for the health of the patients and the health practitioners.
As part of the non-stop coverage of covid-19, the podcast Radiolab did an episode recently called Shared Immunity. In it they discussed some possible solutions to dealing with the disease. At the end, there was an interview with a doctor and she described how by far the biggest crisis in this situation is people dying alone. While the stay at home orders have been done to protect the greater good, in this twisted way, the walls that were built to protect have become the security that also keeps loved ones out in their last moments of life. I can't imagine being on either side of that wall.
While the situation we're in does not happen often, I still think of the way walls that are put in place for good purposes can separate people in times of needed human connection.
This topic hits hard for people right now. During this time, I, like many other people, find myself thinking about the big life moments that I am going to be missing out on. But then I humble myself and think about situations like this, someone spending their last moments alone, a mother giving birth to a child alone, and the list goes on.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the reference to walls supporting whats inside but also then keeping people out, it reminded me of a quote I've heard.
"The truth is that airports have seen more sincere kisses than the wedding halls, and the walls of hospitals have heard more prayers than the walls of a church."
It's an interesting quote and we as designers should contemplate these irregular moments like what you wrote in the same fashion that we prepare for the traditional uses of buildings.
I love this connection between the podcast (those three episodes are great listens) and what we're learning in class. I had to take a break listening to that episode just because it was so real and heartbreaking. I'm sure we've all spent time in hospitals with dying loved ones or have at least witnessed the loss of lives within those walls. This post only reconfirms the importance of design, for efficiency, comfort, and beauty, in healthcare (shout out to our A+H students). I wonder, if at all, our current situation will influence healthcare design in the next few years.
ReplyDeleteThis topic is something that I think most of us have been thinking about and trying to grapple with - how does design affect or get affected by today's current situation. Should the envelope help with improving air quality, should we design more and more with antimicrobial materials? There are so many things to think about but I do think now more than ever we might need to more towards more automations, sensors and virtual screening (not I'm a big fan, I just think this might be our new reality). But how will that get translated into design? I don't really have answers - just questions.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think following this pandemic we will really begin to see a lot more discussion happening about the impact of design not just in healthcare settings, but how we as architects can help to minimize the spread and mitigate the impact of such situations. I think it will cause us to reevaluate our design decisions, especially when it comes to how we gather and use large public spaces such as offices, malls, theaters, gyms, airports, and so on. Its safe to even consider that our fear of a future outbreak or virus may encourage us to design open, public spaces in a way that allows and actually encourages people to spread apart. However, for now I think what will begin to see is the application of elements already present and standard in health care design used in other public spaces and maybe even our homes, like more advanced ventilation systems that allow for removing potentially contaminated air from a given area. Overall, I think there will definitely be a shift in our traditional way of thinking as design for a world now that will never quite be the same again.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many factors that go into the design of a building, the envelope, and interiors. I totally agree there is going to be a new adaption of design that helps to control and aid in the prevention of this new type of problem. Architecture has always had a degree of influence on health, though it is usually passive. Now there is the need for more active and proactive responses.
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