Famous Architects On How Health Environments Will Transform After COVID-19
Many countries are implementing plans to slowly reopen business activities, while the health sector is still assessing the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. The ramifications of the outbreak have manifested in many different ways for each sector, although the recovery periods could end up being remarkably similar.
Keeping that in mind, we decided to take a look at the future of healthcare design in a post COVID-19 and see what some of the world’s leading architects had to say. This group of architects include some of the most talented in the industry such as Rami el Samahy, a principal at Boston architecture and design firm OverUnder, David Chipperfield of the London architecture firm, David Chipperfield Architects, and Shahriar Nasser, head of Belsize Architects.
They believe that the UK health environment may transform in the following ways after the pandemic:
Hospitals- many countries faced a shortage of ICU facilities during the peak of the outbreak and temporary hospitals were hastily constructed. It’s clear that hospitals must be better prepared for things that may happen down the line. There could be more outbreaks after COVID-19. Changes in hospital designs may include rooms and hallways that can be converted quickly into temporary space for acute or emergency care. Built-in flexibility in health facilities is always helpful during pandemic situations. Different areas of the hospital can be isolated more easily with air filtration units to prevent cross-contamination.
Pharmaceutical Industry- social distancing measures during the pandemic have increased preferences for mail-order medication deliveries. After the pandemic, pharmacies will need to retain their current mail-order customers. Financial pressures on retailers in the pharmaceutical industry may cause them to scale down physical establishments. It’s quite likely that demand for medication will remain stable after the pandemic. There will be more investment in faster and more reliable ways to develop vaccines. During a pandemic situation, it’s considered too long to wait a year or more to get an effective and safe vaccine.
Medical Equipment And Supplies Manufacturers- at the beginning of the pandemic, face masks and ventilators were in short supply. This also shows the need for flexibility in the manufacturing facilities. There were delays or cancellations of elective medical procedures, which reduce demands for various surgical and treatment products. This has affected the financial performance of the manufacturers. There could be more shift towards outpatient procedures to reduce dependence on health facilities and medical supplies.
Test Labs- test labs are crucial to help in diagnosing the medical condition of patients. Unfortunately, many countries have inadequate capacities for COVID-19 testing. Consequently, test labs need to hire more staff and acquire more testing equipment. After COVID-19, future pandemics are still likely and test labs need to quickly meet surge in demand. There will also be more adoption of home-based testing. Labs may send test kits to homes, so people can do their own test and send the kits back to the lab. This arrangement will also help people who live in rural areas.
Contact Ansell + Bailey
To learn more about how healthcare industry design and construction trends are shaping a healthy future even in a no deal Brexit scenario, contact Ansell + Bailey today! Ansell + Bailey are the UK leaders when it comes to healthcare refurbishment and new build projects. Choose a team of London architects who are passionate about designing fantastic healthcare buildings.
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