Portable Epidemiological Isolation Unit. Ephemeral Architecture for Covid-19 Emergency

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Colombian Ministry of Science and Technology launched the call for research proposals MinCienciatón. The call invited researchers in different fields, including epidemiology and biomedical design, to present solutions that help mitigate the health emergency produced by the fast spread of the virus worldwide. Among other subjects of interest, the call encouraged researchers to present ideas for the isolation of infected patients and the protection of medical staff. In this context, the LAB^[1] was selected to design and produce a Portable Epidemiological Isolation Unit. Product of the laboratory’s research in polyhedral geometry and ephemeral architecture, we designed a pneumatic structure which permits the treatment of infected patients in aseptic and well ventilated spaces – as well as the isolation of medical staff and equipment. In the event that the health system becomes saturated, the Portable Epidemiological Isolation Unit will allow the sanitary authorities to expand its hospital capacity when needed. It will also permit the installation of field hospitals in isolated areas of the national territory that do not count with the necessary infrastructure to cope with the sanitary crisis.

^[1] In compliance with the blind evaluation policy of the journal, this proposal does not mention the name of the laboratory in question nor its institutional bond.