Architecture after Covid-19

Covid-19 has seen the emergence of “social distancing”, the separation of people, the closing of public space, the antithesis of what many architects and urban planners seek. 

Many architects work in the public space, creating spaces for social gathering (bars, restaurants), collective engagement (schools, universities), entertainment (theaters, sports arenas), and culture (museums, libraries) many of which are now closed. 

While technology allows us to collaborate and work from home, and maybe even have social interaction without physical connection, there is no doubt that close physical proximity and social gatherings are part of our nature and enrich our lives. 

Even some of the largest gatherings in the world that don’t bring everyone together physically, think the Super Bowl or the Olympics, things we enjoy using technology are typically paired with smaller gatherings, like your Super Bowl party or a visit to the local sports bar.  

So what will the impacts be of this virus which has forced us apart?  We have seen architecture affected by tragic events throughout history; the Great London Fire of 1666, the Chicago Fire in 1871 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 all shaped modern building codes.  More recently, the nature of design changed throughout the world after the events of September 11, 2001 and the Grenfell Tower Fire of 2017 made us reconsider building materials and, yet again, our building codes.  All of these events caused a great loss of life, in an instant and caused us to react.  What will be the effects of this current outbreak that has impacted more of us in a wider geographic area? 

Some of the initial reactions to this have been to separate people, restrict travel, close public spaces, restrict social gatherings, and, in the most extreme cases, isolate people.  This can’t be the new normal.  As architects and designers we need to step up to reframe public space where people feel safe.  Some of the spread of the current pandemic has been due to poor hygiene, so we need to address that for one.  One outcome may be the redesign of public restroom facilities to provide more fixtures, more separation, more opportunities for us to practice good hygiene. 

I personally love public spaces, I love going to museums, concerts, public parks, these are the places I love that enrich my life.  Seeing an exhibit online does not replace going to a gallery and experiencing an installation.  Just like watching a YouTube video of a concert cannot replace the visceral experience of being there.  Thank you for Metallica Monday’s by the way. 

So what can we do, once we’re allowed to do it?  Here are some thoughts: 

1. Use materials that don’t support bacteria and viruses. 

2. Offer more opportunities for people to practice good hygiene. 

3. Improve ventilation and indoor environmental quality. 

4. Promote wellness, daylight, physical activity, healthy food choices. 

5. Build community - so that people are willing to help their neighbors, we do this best when we know who our neighbors are, and we know who our neighbors are when we see them. 

Time will tell what the long term impacts of a 21st century global pandemic will be.  These are just my thoughts here in isolation.