15 Design Innovations during the COVID Pandemic
“Ideas pop up wherever they please, and inventors come from every corner of life.” - Pagan Kennedy
When crisis strikes, irrespective of qualification, the hat of an innovator is donned by one and all. Necessity, truly, is the mother of invention. A number of incidences would corroborate this – like when a rickshaw driver turned into a designer by modifying his means of livelihood to adapt to physical distancing, ensuring that his business functions amid the covid-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a unique set of problems and situations. As we see individuals and communities from all walks of life step up to address these issues, Pagan Kennedy’s quote rings true. Here’s a glance at some of these out-of-the-box (creatively and efficiently designed) solutions. A collation, by PUN:CHAT - An Architectural Talk, of some short and long term interventions and proposals to cope during the pandemic.
1. Market on Wheels by MuseLAB
Supply chains and the informal sector have been hit the hardest due to the covid19 pandemic. Mumbai based MuseLAB won the Coronavirus Design Competition for their Market on Wheels.
Inspired by the hand-cart, the proposal conceptualized the modified system as two separate functions – selection and checkout. Made out of bamboo and metal frame with a retractable awning and top-mounted solar panels, the design can even transform into a standalone kiosk. The compact, modular, mobile system addresses sanitization, physical distancing and storage through design.
Market on Wheels not only creates a resilient delivery system but also allows to sustain the livelihood of a vendor while still protecting their health and safety.
Image 1 - The individual mobile carts can move around neighbourhoods to supply food and essentials to all, creating a resilient and decentralized delivery system.© 2020 MuseLAB
Image 2 - Exploded axonometric of the Market On Wheels, made from circular and safe materials.© 2020 MuseLAB
Image 3 - The Market On Wheels can be plugged into existing markets and open public spaces, creating makeshift decentralized markets.© 2020 MuseLAB
2. Pocket Park by Better Block
During the pandemic, Dallas based Better Block Foundation recognized the need for increased outdoor space where local businesses can thrive in a dense environment. The foundation was armed with the ability and materials to make a difference, having already worked with communities to reimagine their built environments in volunteer-driven, temporary placemaking events,
Working with the city council and a local jazz bar, Better Block prototyped a parklet (as an entension of the sidewalk) with bench seating, tables, and outdoor space. Occupying the space of a single parking space, the parklet ensures safe social distancing, protects pedestrians from vehicular traffic and also aids local businesses to generate more revenue.
Having recognized the need to support small businesses, decreased traffic movements and the benefit of public spaces during the pandemic and beyond, the city is now creating policy around temporary and permanent parklets.
Image credits: Better block foundation
3. Handwashing Station by The Goa Collective
Emergency handwashing stations which ensure rapid procurement and operation by Panchayats and Municipalities were prototyped by The Goa Collective. Leftover materials from Goa’s industrial landscape make these zero-waste solutions which can later be dismantled to facilitate reuse of components in the afterlife. Additionally, ease of making the supporting framework in home-workshops eliminates the need for large fabrication units.
The small scale of this sanitary infrastructure lays a path for continued hygiene practices beyond the pandemic too.
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4. PLEX’EAT by Christophe Gernigon Studio
Transparent screens are making a come-back in offices and even being introduced in cafeterias. With the intention of combining ergonomics and aesthetics, France based Christophe Gernigon Studio designed PLEX’EAT.
PLEX’EAT is a protection bubble which provides the user with freedom of movement and can be adapted for the use of different establishments like restaurants, front desks, salons, etc. Cleaning and disinfecting the cupola is as simple as setting it up and taking it apart. The design is to be produced and commercialized worldwide under SITOUR.
Image credits: christophe gernigon studio
5. StayTheF***Home_Desk by Stykka
The sudden lockdown and work from home sanctions had people scrambling for work-spaces within their homes. Recognizing this need, Danish startup Stykka came up with an open source design for a 3-piece laser cut cardboard desk. The three pieces can be folded and assembled in minutes. In addition to being an easy to set-up, flat-pack design; the desk is also environment friendly (made from recycled cardboard and recyclable post-use).
The team at Stykka successfully addressed its self-given challenge of designing and prototyping a desk using only three things - laser cutter, cardboard and zip ties. While they have made the design open source under the creative commons license, Stykka also ships these laser-cut desks, at a retail price, to a few parts of Europe.
Image credits: Stykka
6. Cardboard Beds by Aryan Paper Mills
To cater to the increasing demand for isolation beds, quickly manufactured and easily assembled cardboard beds were designed by Aryan Paper Mills. Made out of corrugated paper, these beds don’t require adhesive to hold them together. In addition to being recycled and recyclable, these flat-pack beds are strong, lightweight and can be disinfected after every use.
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7. COVID19 Prevention Kit by CHHAT Foundation
CHHAT, a student startup foundation, addressed the immediate need for temporary shelters during the lockdown. These are currently being used as Outdoor Diagnosis Centres for health checkups, Temporary Police Outposts and Holding Centres in Gujarat.
Isolation cells, partitions, lightweight foldable beds, soap/ sanitizer dispensers and hand-wash stations form the COVID19 Prevention Kit. The isolation cells that can be replicated to form a cluster with partitions to ensure privacy within. Bamboo and high density fabric have been used to design this quickly assembled, easily deployable, and low-cost kit.
image credits: CHHAT Foundation
Know more about The Quarantine Cell by CHHAT
8. Hydroalcoholic Gel Dispenser by Extra Terrasse
Eliminating the need for extensive infrastructure or resources, the Hydroalcoholic Gel Dispenser carries high potential for scaling up. The Dispenser can be retrofitted to existing bollards in the city by means of salvaged materials, making it eco-responsible, environment friendly and economical. Moreover, its easy deployability means it can be setup anywhere at any time – outside metro stations, restaurants, boutiques and more such public spaces.
The design is part of the venture Extra Terrasse (meaning Extra Terrace), the brainchild of Felix Miquel, a second year architecture student. Similar inventions by Miquel are Urban Ashtray and Urban Table.
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9. MASK.ART.AID by Lilia Makarova
The MASK.ART.AID masks have been designed on the principle of origami folds. Their compact folding allows post-use storage in the accompanying Case. Made of viscose with a honey-comb like structure, the masks are intended to ease breathing and prolonged use. Russian furniture designer Lilia Makarova and Belsi are collaborating to make these reusable, prophylactic masks in various colours.
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10. ADAPT by Woods Bagot
AD-APT is a response to the ‘work from home’ concept which is gaining popularity due to the current pandemic. Anticipating people’s inclination to continue working from home even post the pandemic, Australia based architecture firm Woods Bagot has come up with two proposals.
The Split Shift Home is for working parents with kid(s) to look after and the Double Desk Home for working partners/ cohabitors who require dedicated workspaces. This RESI-resilient home has a robust underlying infrastructure, adaptable to changing functions and lifestyles of its residents.
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11. Ventaglio by DesignLibero
Understanding the challenge posed to close-quartered spaces in the times of physical distancing, Milan based DesignLibero proposed Ventaglio. These transluscent polyethylene screens are easy to carry and can be sanitized post-use. Being foldable like Japanese fans, these screens can be carried anywhere from restaurants to libraries to workspaces. The screens come outfitted with a belt to stabilize the divider on a table.
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12. Self-sanitizing door handle by Sum Ming Wong and Kin Pong Li
The brainchild of two Hong Kong based students, this design -inspired by the SARS breakout of 2003 - won the James Dyson Awards in 2019.
It is based on the principle that when activated by UV light, photocatalytic coating destroys bacteria. Entirely coated, the handle is made of a glass tube with aluminium caps at both ends.
Opening and closing motion of the door activates the UV light source which in turn initiates cleaning after every use thus, eliminating the need for manual cleaning.
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13. Foot Operated Elevator by Chennai Metro Rail
While the world contemplated how to get back to ordinary activities like opening doors, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited prototyped a Foot-operated lift mechanism to ensure contactless operations at the Metro Admin building in Koyambedu. The elevator buttons located at the floor of the lift can be operated by foot. If successful, the prototype will be replicated at metro stations across the city alongwith warning stickers and markings on station floors and on seats inside trains.
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14. Creator Transfer Chamber by Creator
Having anticipated the hit that restaurants would take because of covid-19, San Francisco based CREATOR burger joint started developing the Creator Transfer Chamber even before lockdown was declared. The chamber works on the positive pressure system, thus protecting the inside from outside air and is outfitted with a self-sanitizing conveyor surface. Contactless delivery of food allowed Creator to remain operational during the lockdown.
They have made the design open source for those who may want to replicate the concept.
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15. Flatpack Units by Jupe
In March 2020, Flat-pack Startup Jupe, declared they would be designing the world’s first standalone intensive care unit and other pop-up structures to help hospitals deal with the covid-19 pandemic. Their solar or battery powered units are even fitted with water disposal systems.
The units can be flat-packed for ease of transport and come in two options for their faceted exterior – soft-top or hard covers.
Three different units have been designed – Jupe Care (an off-grid recovery unit for non-critical patients), Jupe Plus (a ‘light’ intensive care unit) and Jupe Rest (provision of beds for medical professionals)