VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY
DESIGN INNOVATIONS DURING AND POST-COVID-19 2020 will not be easily forgotten. With the loss of so many loved ones, the financial impact of being furloughed or losing one’s job, as well as witnessing the struggles of officials attempting to manage the situation, it’s certain that the impact of coronavirus will stay with us for a long time. However, from the depths of this crisis and its negative impact, there are hidden pockets of positivity, says Alan Dowdall, Associate at Ramboll UK. RAMBOLL UK
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hese have ranged from hotel owners giving their rooms to NHS workers to, at local level, people helping those in need with a simple task such as the weekly shop. Across the cultural spectrum, many people are putting themselves forward, using their skillset to make a difference. In this time of crisis, designers are also looking to make a difference and provide that positive impact. As designers, our job is to approach problems and provide solutions, and thus, the problems caused by COVID-19 have been no FC&A – AUGUST – 2020
exception. In fact, designers and construction professionals will be instrumental as we try to manage the impact of COVID-19, as their innovations will enable the UK to adapt to the restrictions imposed by coronavirus and allow us to continue to live and work together. The Social Contact Pod, a collective effort between Scott Brownrigg, Hoare Lea, Constructional Timber and Ramboll, is a great example of a group of designers coming together to provide a solution which many of the more vulnerable members of our society will need. Although
protecting themselves from coronavirus requires isolation from family and friends, a physical connection with loved ones is essential in maintaining one’s mental health and wellbeing. The ‘Pod’ enables such connections, whilst also providing security from contamination. The Pod is one example, but there are countless more. In Ramboll alone, we have had many a creative mind come up with innovative design solutions, from forming 20,000 PPE visors out of office stationery to building ‘prevent infection’ apps. Designers seem well adept at applying 24
their skillset, generally finetuned to a specialist subject, to a wider social application. It is design innovations such as these that will not only see us through this crisis but continue to have a positive impact going beyond the pandemic. When we emerge from this crisis, there will be challenges we will need to face, including the changes to social trends and implementing climate change initiatives on route to a net-zero carbon future. Design and construction professionals are going to play a key role in shaping this new world, enabling us to connect and interact with each other.
