How can architects help during COVID-19?

This project was a response to the COVID - 19 pandemic, after asking myself “what can architects do to help?” Using my recent research in Japanese wood joinery systems I responded with a way to help in hospital bed overflow situations.

As of March 27 we had already seen hospital capacity overflow to the Javits Center in NYC, the Manhattan Cathedral and Convention Center in Denver.  As equipment and beds get shipped in, rows of patients lie next to each other.  They deserve the same level of privacy allotted to them in a hospital, make-shift or not.  

This plywood partition system has a fast manufacturing and turn-around time, can be easily assembled by any person without the need of power tools or hardware, can employ those in the immediate vicinity that need work or are available.  It can be disassembled and recycled after use, or flat-packed and shipped to the next location in need.  It brings a warmth in natural material, and more privacy than aluminum pipes and fabric.  One module, or room, is calculated to cost around $750  whereas a single folding vinyl hospital partition privacy screen can range from $500-$700.

With firms working remotely, construction sites empty and silent clients, architecture feels cold without the interaction, intermingling and collaboration between people.  We can never lose sight of the fact that now more than ever, interpersonal relationships and collective human innovation is necessary.

When the public and public infrastructure is the most in need, we can use our strengths and can join to help, not for profit but for people.