With Covid-19 vaccinations being rolled out around the world, here are three proposals by architects to speed up the process including drive-through facilities, shipping-container clinics and pods in town squares.
Urban pods by Stefano Boeri Architetti
Italian studio Stefano Boeri Architetti has designed circular timber-and-fabric pavilions that will be set up in 1,500 squares around the country.
The off-grid pavilions have roof-mounted solar panels to provide them with energy. Large pink flowers adorn the facade and roof to symbolise the rebirth of normal life in one of the countries worst-hit by the pandemic.
“Italy’s public life is in our piazzas,” Boeri told Dezeen. “We need to make sure that these pavilions will be reachable, comfortable and places that the community consider, for a period of time, part of their lives in order to defeat Covid-19.”
Find out more about Stefano Boeri Architetti’s Urban pods ›
Mobile vaccination units by Waugh Thistleton Architects
UK architect Waugh Thistleton Architects has proposed building a fleet of pre-fabricated vaccination units from converted shipping containers. These would be delivered on trucks around the UK. The architect has calculated that 6,500 mobile vaccination centres could immunise the entire UK population in 16 weeks.
“Over 12 weeks, these shipping containers could be mobilised throughout the country in car parks and other public areas to vaccinate the entire population of the UK,” Waugh Thistleton Architects partner Andrew Waugh told Dezeen.
“The vaccination units can be delivered into the heart of villages and remote communities or in clusters spread through towns and cities, vaccinating the local population before moving on.”
Find out more about Waugh Thistleton Architects’ Mobile vaccination units ›
Drive-through clinics by NBBJ
International architect NBBJ has developed a drive-through clinic concept that could be adapted for a mass vaccination programme.
Originally developed as a way of treating hospital patients without requiring them to leave their vehicles, the architect believes the prefabricated facilities could be set up in under-used parking facilities at both hospitals and shopping malls.
“Covid has pushed us to think about breaking out of the boundaries of a traditional healthcare space and actually providing primary care in a totally unorthodox space like a car,” NBBJ partner Ryan Hullinger told Dezeen.
Find out more about NBBJ’s drive-through clinics ›
