Transformation of Public Spaces in Pandemic
Intervening through Temporary Structures
By Yashodhan Mangukia
Monsoon 2021 | CEPT University
Theoretical Anchor: How Disease Shaped the Built Environment
The history of architecture is intertwined with the development of health crises, which have often triggered significant changes in the built environment. Diseases, from Tuberculosis in 1851 to the present-day COVID-19, have led to interventions that fundamentally altered public spaces. Historical examples, such as Alvar and Aino Aalto’s Paimio Sanatorium designed to combat Tuberculosis, Ellis Chesbrough’s infrastructure work during the Cholera outbreak, and the Tenement Housing Act in response to the 1867 Cholera outbreak, reflect the growing connection between health crises and architectural interventions (Jayaprakash et al., 2021).
Public spaces are particularly affected during health pandemics, as they serve as the epicenter for the spread of diseases. Social interaction, which defines public spaces, also increases the risk of contagion. Although it’s impossible to eliminate public interaction entirely, design interventions aim to make these interactions safer. As each pandemic has its unique characteristics, the design responses have been varied, evolving through trial and error. Some interventions fade after the pandemic ends, while others become permanent elements of urban design.
Observations: How Do You Separate and Simultaneously Connect People?
One of the critical challenges of pandemic-era design is separating people to ensure their safety while maintaining some level of human interaction. Architects traditionally focus on creating public spaces that foster community, as demonstrated by Jeanne Gang’s Arcus Centre for Social Justice Leadership (Fig. 1), where a sunken informal gathering space encourages interaction among students, faculty, and social justice leaders (Studio Gang, 2014). However, when the pandemic hit, these spaces, designed for connection, had to adapt to prevent disease transmission. Cities, which were not initially designed to handle a global health crisis, faced challenges in transforming their spaces for pandemic living (Constable, 2020).
Domestic spaces also underwent transformation during the pandemic. People confined to their homes for extended periods found that previously celebrated design elements, like open kitchens and free-flowing plans, became less desirable. With work, school, and personal activities happening in the same space, the need for separation within the home became apparent. As Kyle Chayka notes, residential designs in Brooklyn were altered to provide more separation between living areas and workspaces, improving acoustic buffering and incorporating extra space for desks and other work-related activities (Chayka, 2020) (Fig. 2).
Temporary Responses in Public Spaces
Design solutions for public spaces during the pandemic focused on creating temporary yet effective structures that could respond to the immediate need for social distancing. One notable example is the use of cardboard beds during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), which were assembled quickly, were cost-effective, and could be recycled after use (Brownell, 2020). Similarly, in New York, outdoor dining pods, made from lightweight materials, served both as protection against COVID-19 and as shields against the harsh winter climate. These pods could be easily set up and removed, providing a temporary but effective solution for dining out safely during the pandemic (Golata, 2020) (Fig. 4).
In India, the CHHAT (Centre for Human Habitat and Alternative Technology) Foundation designed deployable structures made of bamboo and high-density polypropylene fabric, which were assembled quickly and could be used as quarantine cells, emergency shelters, or healthcare facilities. The modularity of these structures made them easy to transport, especially to remote locations (Agarwal, 2020) (Fig. 5 and 6).
Modular Design and Innovation
The pandemic highlighted the value of modular design solutions. For example, the “Pichku Quarantine Facility” by Sushant School of Architecture addressed the need for flexible, cost-effective, and socially distanced spaces. It used modular technology to create expandable cells, providing necessary ventilation, air circulation, and filtered discharge, which were crucial for preventing the spread of the virus. Materials like PVC-coated fabric were used to build the structure quickly and efficiently (Amin, 2020) (Fig. 7).
Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Temporary Design Interventions
While the pandemic has undoubtedly reshaped architecture, the main goal of these temporary interventions has been to create structures that are functional, cost-effective, and quick to deploy. These solutions, though temporary, have significantly expanded the infrastructure available during a crisis and addressed pressing challenges of public health. However, they are not designed to last long, serving their purpose only until more permanent solutions are found.
The pandemic also saw a greater collective effort in addressing the challenges posed by public health crises. Unlike earlier epidemics, where solutions came from a select few, the global community came together to contribute innovative solutions. This inclusivity in design contributed to more effective temporary structures that supported frontline workers, health services, and public spaces during the pandemic.
As we reflect on the design solutions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, we acknowledge that the future remains uncertain. These temporary structures are a response to the immediate needs of the present, and while they will eventually be dismantled, they serve as a testament to the adaptability and resilience of architecture in the face of global health challenges.
References
Agarwal, A. (2020). Architects & Designers at COVID-19 frontline: Isolation Cells developed by CHHAT, an architecture students initiative. ArchiDiaries. Available at: https://www.archidiaries.com
Amin, A. (2020). Pichku — Quarantine Facility with Innovative Materials. Medium. Retrieved from https://blog.kaarwan.com
Brownell, B. (2020). Materials and Coatings That Reduce Surface Transmission of Bacteria and Viruses. Architect Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.architectmagazine.com
Chayka, K. (2020). How the Coronavirus Will Reshape Architecture. The New Yorker. Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com
Constable, H. (2020). How do you build a city for a pandemic?. BBC Future. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/future
Golata, J. (2020). Dining Pods for Outdoor Dining in NYC. Instagram.
Jayaprakash, S., Kundaliya, S., Vishvanathan, B., et al. (2021). How Disease Shaped Built Environments.
Studio Gang (2014). Arcus Centre for Social Justice Leadership / Studio Gang. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com
