Reboot Readiness: A Primer on How to Design for Contagions

In December 2019, Wuhan, China, became ground zero for a global pandemic that, in the first few months of 2020, has brought the global economy and life as we once knew it, to a halt. Almost every country has dealt with it and continues to deal with it, in slightly different ways, while being united in a need to contain and mitigate the emerging infectious disease known as COVID-19.

As we return to spaces left void by the emergence of COVID-19, it will be essential to understand how the events of the last several months have reshaped not only our social fabric but also the environments where we work, live, play, and receive care. Much like the sustainability movement, which enlightens us to concepts such as “global warming” and “carbon footprint,” the insurgence of the novel respiratory virus COVID-19 has increased public awareness of the need for prevention and control strategies to reduce the global threat of contagion.

What is needed as a design community to be equipped for COVID, and its successors, is a simple primer that sets us up to design for contagions. In the attached report, we take a stab at a basic 101 on how to design for contagions while addressing psychological and physical safety needs.

With this awareness, a newfound sense of social responsibility and connectedness has emerged that will likely influence how users will interact with the built environment for decades. We have been battling a lethal virus that is difficult to detect because of a lack of preparedness and knowledge. However, preparing for any kind of contagion in a preventative way that promotes physical as well as psychological safety can give us a certain resilience to combat the next wave of this pandemic or a completely new one. Just like natural disasters caused by climate change, contagions have become an increasing threat because of a fundamental tear in our public health infrastructure. This will fundamentally change the way we work, live, play, and heal. This ever-present threat of contagion that has already radically changed and continues to transform how we interact with each other, is also an opportunity to re-imagine our buildings, our cities, and our societies.

Contributors:

Casey Lindberg, PhD, Assoc. AIA 

Tommy Zakrzewski, PhD, BEMP, CEM, CMVP, LEED O+M, LEED BD+C

Graphics & Design:

Melissa Hoelting, Assoc. AIA, WELL AP

Advisors: 

Rand Ekman

Alison Avendt

Michelle Jutt

Sarah Holton