Trust building

Rebecca Lo finds out how HK architects are trying to pursue the goal of making office and residential buildings virus-proof in the wake of the pandemic.

People around the world have spent much of 2020 hunkered down at home. Those looking to return to work have legitimate concerns about the risks of catching a viral infection in a shared space.

It is well documented that COVID-19 spreads through viral residue on surfaces, direct transmission through sneezing or coughing by those infected, and viral airborne particles. While personal hygiene addresses the first mode of transmission and social distancing the second, the third is the most difficult to pin down.

"Of the three, airborne transmission is now understood to pose the greatest risk," says Greg Pearce of design firm One Space. Pearce has conducted webinars and presented papers on the subject. He feels, in order to restore trust in the built environment, seamlessly integrated protection needs to be a natural part of the user's experience.

"Practically speaking, two things remain that we can do in building design to reduce airborne contamination risk: redefining the purpose of gathering in buildings and re-conceive buildings as living organisms," Pearce states. "The reasons that workers go to the office have shifted — rather than solo desk work, it is a place to go when staff needs to connect with colleagues."