Emergency architecture. Modular construction of healthcare facilities as a response to pandemic outbreak

Abstract

Emerging infectious diseases originating from wildlife species continue to demolish humankind leaving an imprint on human history. December 2019 has marked the emergence of a novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-2019) originated in China in the city of Wuhan. Drastic emergence and spread of infectious disease have shown to appear in highly densified areas causing rapid spread of epidemic through population movement, transmission routes, major activity nodes, proximity, and connectivity of urban spaces. An extreme number of cases rising throughout the world caused space unavailability in healthcare facilities to serve patients infected with Covid-2019, therefore urging for innovative emergency management response from construction and architecture industry. Prefabricated modular construction has been widely utilized around the globe assembling rapid response facilities after catastrophic events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and forest fires. An increasing number of Covid-2019 cases demanded effective and compressed implementation of medical centres to provide expeditious and secure healthcare. The paper examines the potential of standardization of modular construction of hospitals as a response to current and potential pandemic outbreaks. The research provides fundamental planning requirements of isolation units and their design flexibility as a key to rapid emergency solution.