Rethinking: Humanising: Isolation: Aotearoa New Zealand (A novel approach to design)

Abstract

Our modern, globalised world is more vulnerable to infectious diseases that can spread voraciously—globalisation has aided the rapid spread of diseases and increased the frequency with which goods and people are transported across borders. Infectious disease pandemics are not a new phenomenon, and their global spread has occurred throughout history, notably the "Spanish Flu" post first world war, and more latterly, MERS CoV (2012), and specific regions and countries. A decade later, the SARS CoV-2 (Covid-19) coronavirus pandemic assailed humanity as a global phenomenon.

Over six million people have died as a result of the novel airborne disease. The pandemic has put unprecedented strain on the healthcare infrastructure and the hotels that were designated as Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facilities within Aotearoa, New Zealand. Growing evidence suggests that if purpose-built quarantine facilities that followed best practice design research guidelines had been in place prior to the outbreak, the pandemic's effects could have been significantly reduced.

The role of architecture in mitigating future infectious disease outbreaks and the resulting impact on society will be explored in this project by designing spaces that prioritise health and safety while ensuring patient/resident well-being is at the core of the design. Architecture can aid in infection control through design and promote health and well-being. Biophilic design elements, natural light, air quality circulation, and appropriate building materials have all been shown to improve well-being outcomes. This research-by-design project will put well-being-focused design strategies to the test in order to create a successful health and well-being facility. This research could help reimagine how spaces are designed and operated using new design strategies, allowing the method to be replicated globally.