Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.1
3.8
Journals
Buildings
Special Issues
Post-COVID Architecture Research
share announcement

Post-COVID Architecture Research

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 July 2022) | Viewed by 58994

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Dirk H.R. Spennemann

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, P.O. Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia
Interests: conservation management; urban ecosystems; Pacific history; novel ecosystems; Indian diaspora; heritage and disasters; COVID-19; historic ecology; environmental history; intangible heritage; cultural heritage planning; heritage policy; adaptive reuse
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic, with a global death toll in excess of 5 million, is still raging in many countries, with many communities in varies forms of lockdown, the focus of architects, property managers and urban planners needs to shift to the post-pandemic world that will emerge.

At present, many countries, in search of stimuli to restart their COVID-19-ravaged economies, provide subsidies to the construction industry, which results in new builds and major revitalization projects. Of concern is that most of these are conducted along the lines of ‘business as usual’, perpetuating designs that were conceptualized before the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic, is only one in a line of coronaviruses that has affected humans, and it will not be the last. However, there seems to be little consideration whether the existing designs are appropriate for futureproofing human existence in urban and suburban settings.

The highly transmittable Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 has shown that even passing, fleeting contact can be sufficient for the virus to spread. This, for example, raises concerns for communal areas in building complexes such as passageways, stairwells and elevators. It also raises concerns for open-plan office designs. Likewise, how do we allow for the self-isolation of infected persons in residential settings, while safeguarding the other family members? The various lockdowns have shown the value of green spaces, both communal green spaces such as parks and private green spaces. How does this influence the design of future multi-owner/multi-tenant apartment complexes?

This is the time to rethink how we design our future personal and wider urban environment and how we modify and adapt existing structures. Failure to do so will lock in old design. Clearly, solutions will also be geographically specific and culturally appropriate, informed by and derived from local design and building traditions. 

This exciting Special Issue of Buildings will focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. We are looking for case studies and conceptual papers that address one or more aspects of the following to reduce the opportunities for virus transmission.

Prof. Dr. Dirk H.R. Spennemann
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • the design of single and multi-occupancy buildings
  • the design of internal private spaces, such as floor plans and apartment layouts
  • the design of private and public green spaces and landscaping in building complexes
  • the design of shopping complexes
  • the design of cinemas and theatres
  • the design of office buildings incl. internal layout
  • managing the flow of people in multi-user complexes
  • improving and controlling ventilation in structures
  • the adaptation and retrofitting of existing residential structures
  • the adaptation and retrofitting of existing hotel buildings
  • the adaptation of existing market structures (e.g., suqs)
  • adaptive solutions and their impact on heritage listed properties
  • other design and property management issues that involve the implications of COVID-19

Published Papers (12 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

7 pages, 222 KiB  
Editorial
Architecture for a Post-COVID World
by Dirk H. R. Spennemann
Buildings 2022, 12(10), 1537; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101537 - 26 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2011
Abstract
During the first three months of 2020, COVID-19, the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), rapidly developed from a localised disease outbreak into a truly global pandemic [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

18 pages, 2938 KiB  
Article
Designing for COVID-2x: Reflecting on Future-Proofing Human Habitation for the Inevitable Next Pandemic
by Dirk H. R. Spennemann
Buildings 2022, 12(7), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12070976 - 08 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2549
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2022 has revealed the vulnerability of modern society to a highly contagious airborne virus. Many spaces in the urban and built environment designed during the late twentieth and early twenty-first century are ill-suited to maintain the level of social [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2022 has revealed the vulnerability of modern society to a highly contagious airborne virus. Many spaces in the urban and built environment designed during the late twentieth and early twenty-first century are ill-suited to maintain the level of social distancing required to reduce the probability of virus transmission. Enclosed spaces—in particular, communal circulation spaces such as corridors, elevators and lobbies—have proven loci of transmission, together with circulating reticulated air and lack of proper ventilation. While urban planning needs to incorporate the lessons learnt during COVID-19 in order to future-proof our communities through the provision of well-designed greenspaces, the main burden will fall on architects, who will play an instrumental role in designing buildings that are fit-for purpose. This conceptual paper reviews the status quo and discusses a number of strategies to future-proof human habitation for the inevitable next pandemic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 622 KiB  
Article
Demographic Groups’ Differences in Restorative Perception of Urban Public Spaces in COVID-19
by Shiqi Wang and Ang Li
Buildings 2022, 12(7), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12070869 - 21 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2922
Abstract
The health-promoting functions of one’s spatial environment have been widely recognized. Facing the huge loss of mental resources caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting and perception of urban public spaces with restorative potential should be encouraged. However perceived, restorativeness differs from individual features. [...] Read more.
The health-promoting functions of one’s spatial environment have been widely recognized. Facing the huge loss of mental resources caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting and perception of urban public spaces with restorative potential should be encouraged. However perceived, restorativeness differs from individual features. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has considerable effects on residents’ leisure travel and psychological states. Therefore, the aim of our research is to identify the demographic variables influencing restorative perception of typical urban public spaces under the social background of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research consists of 841 residents’ restorative evaluation of four kinds of urban public spaces according to the Chinese version of the Perceived Restorativeness Scale, including urban green spaces, exhibition spaces, commercial spaces and sports spaces. Then, 10 individual factors were recorded which represented their demographic features and the influence of COVID-19. Then, the relationship between individual features and perceived restoration of different urban public spaces was analyzed, respectively, by using One-way ANOVA and regression analysis. The results show that the urban green spaces were ranked as the most restorative, followed by commercial spaces, sports spaces and exhibition spaces. Further, the findings indicate that significant factors affect the restoration of four typical urban public spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4693 KiB  
Article
Solar Chimneys as an Effective Ventilation Strategy in Multi-Storey Public Housing in the Post-COVID-19 Era
by Pau Chung Leng, Siew Bee Aw, Nor Eeda Haji Ali, Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling, Yoke Lai Lee and Mohd Hamdan Ahmad
Buildings 2022, 12(6), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12060820 - 13 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3464
Abstract
This paper studies the effectiveness of a solar chimney for improving ventilation and air-exchange rates in multi-storey public housing in tropical climates for the potential mitigation of airborne disease transmission. Virtual models of a typical apartment room with natural cross-ventilation, replicated across four [...] Read more.
This paper studies the effectiveness of a solar chimney for improving ventilation and air-exchange rates in multi-storey public housing in tropical climates for the potential mitigation of airborne disease transmission. Virtual models of a typical apartment room with natural cross-ventilation, replicated across four levels to mimic a multi-storey block, were set up with six internal wind velocity sensor points per floor. The simulation software Energy2D was then used to evaluate the performance of the models, first testing the presence of a solar chimney, and then additionally the degree to which the solar chimney model was affected by a complementary ceiling fan. Wind velocity was also measured, as this is a variable that affects ACH rates. Using a non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the introduction of a solar chimney was found to have a significant impact on air-flow rates (a variable that positively affects air-exchange rates), resulting in a p-value of 0.000 and Z-value of −3.920. Regression analysis determined that the solar chimney’s effect was enhanced when complemented by a ceiling fan (R-squared value of 0.4687). Consequently, we propose several design strategies that may enable the adoption of the solar chimney concept to improve natural ventilation in residential units. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1838 KiB  
Article
Refurbishing Classrooms for Hybrid Learning: Balancing between Infrastructure and Technology Improvements
by Ahmed Marey, Sherif Goubran and Khaled Tarabieh
Buildings 2022, 12(6), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12060738 - 30 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2231
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to all facets of education. As students are slowly repopulating university campuses after lockdowns and online learning, universities are looking into ways to ensure social distancing can be maintained in learning spaces and capitalize on the [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to all facets of education. As students are slowly repopulating university campuses after lockdowns and online learning, universities are looking into ways to ensure social distancing can be maintained in learning spaces and capitalize on the benefits of online-learning modalities without compromising educational quality. One option that has gained attention is hybrid or dual-delivery learning. In this model, some students are present in classrooms, while others join the class through online platforms. However, most university classrooms are not designed to deliver the voice of instructors and classroom students to online platforms. This change in modality requires universities to invest in infrastructure and technology. This research studies the optimum setup for dual-delivery classrooms, investigating a range of infrastructural and technology improvements that can be made to traditional classrooms to help optimize the perceived sound quality for remote learners. The investigation entails a qualitative study to assess the improvement in perceived sound quality (clarity, ability to recognize words, and perceived echo) for remote students vis-a-vis the improvement in the room (such as sound-absorbing padding or carpets) and its technology (such as ceiling and lapel microphones). Specifically, it investigates the degrees of room and the technology improvements needed to ensure that the voice of instructors and the classroom students’ interactions, such as questions and discussions, are heard and comprehended by remote students. We collected responses for nine experiment conditions through 39 tests addressing both instruction and students’ interactions. We formulate a matrix of recommendations for higher education institutions to follow. The suggestions proposed also have other environmental benefits beyond sound quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 420 KiB  
Article
Preferences for Hotels with Biophilic Design Attributes in the Post-COVID-19 Era
by Fatemeh Khozaei, Claus Christian Carbon, Mahdieh Hosseini Nia and Mi Jeong Kim
Buildings 2022, 12(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12040427 - 01 Apr 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4091
Abstract
Since the COVID-19 crisis has caused the cancellation of a great number of travel plans in the last two years, this study examines the prospects of the post-COVID-19 era, during which we expect tourism will return strongly. The impact of the epidemic on [...] Read more.
Since the COVID-19 crisis has caused the cancellation of a great number of travel plans in the last two years, this study examines the prospects of the post-COVID-19 era, during which we expect tourism will return strongly. The impact of the epidemic on people’s attitudes toward tourism, particularly their tourist choices, appears to be a major challenge for post-COVID-19 international tourism development. Very little is known about tourists’ accommodation preferences during the period emerging after the COVID-19 crisis. With a long and challenging experience of lockdowns, stress, and fear of disease, the current study attempts to examine peoples’ preferences for hotel attributes during the post-COVID-19 era. It examines factors contributing to peoples’ preferences for hotels with biophilic attributes. A total of 507 Iranian undergraduate and graduate students participated in the study. They answered questions on their perceived stress, level of depression, the specific burden of COVID-19, the perceived benefits of nature, and their preferences for biophilic design attributes in their accommodation. The online survey was conducted from August to October 2021. We found that the burden of COVID-19 increased the stress level of the respondents, which consequently increased the chance of depression. We further found that perceived stress and the benefits of nature significantly affect tourists’ preferences for exposure to nature and hotels with biophilic attributes. Based on the data, we suggest that the demand for biophilic buildings will be strongly increased during the post-COVID-19 era. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 7229 KiB  
Article
Designing Post COVID-19 Buildings: Approaches for Achieving Healthy Buildings
by Satheeskumar Navaratnam, Kate Nguyen, Kajanan Selvaranjan, Guomin Zhang, Priyan Mendis and Lu Aye
Buildings 2022, 12(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12010074 - 12 Jan 2022
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 12606
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the accessibility, social gathering, lifestyle, and working environment to be changed to reduce the infection. Coronavirus spreads between people in several different ways. Small liquid particles (aerosols, respiratory droplets) from an infected person are transmitted through air and surfaces [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the accessibility, social gathering, lifestyle, and working environment to be changed to reduce the infection. Coronavirus spreads between people in several different ways. Small liquid particles (aerosols, respiratory droplets) from an infected person are transmitted through air and surfaces that are in contact with humans. Reducing transmission through modified heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and building design are potential solutions. A comprehensive review of the engineering control preventive measures to mitigate COVID-19 spread, healthy building design, and material was carried out. The current state-of-the-art engineering control preventive measures presented include ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), bipolar ionization, vertical gardening, and indoor plants. They have potential to improve the indoor air quality. In addition, this article presents building design with materials (e.g., copper alloys, anti-microbial paintings) and smart technologies (e.g., automation, voice control, and artificial intelligence-based facial recognition) to mitigate the infections of communicable diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3717 KiB  
Article
Quarantine Hotels: The Adaptation of Hotels for Quarantine Use in Australia
by Demet Dincer and Ozgur Gocer
Buildings 2021, 11(12), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120617 - 06 Dec 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5370
Abstract
The COVID-19 global health crisis has spatial implications concerning social isolation to control the spread of the virus. The preventive measures require travelers to stay in mandatory quarantine for 14 days upon arrival from another country. Due to a shortage of government facilities, [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 global health crisis has spatial implications concerning social isolation to control the spread of the virus. The preventive measures require travelers to stay in mandatory quarantine for 14 days upon arrival from another country. Due to a shortage of government facilities, more hotels have started to function as quarantine facilities. This research focuses on quarantine hotels in Australia, as one of the first countries to implement an international border restriction, to evaluate the spatial needs of users and what see outcomes can be identified. By primarily focusing on hotel users’ well-being during the isolation period, this paper responds to an information gap regarding the quarantine hotel system by providing user opinions on the negative and positive factors affecting their well-being. A survey with multiple-choice and open-ended questionnaire items was conducted with 54 participants to investigate their experiences in quarantine hotels. Among the nine key sources of well-being, the three highest-scored responses were an operable window (4.7), ventilation (4.5), and natural lighting (4.3). Access to the outdoor environment via a balcony or operable window was an acute and fundamental requirement for guests. Additionally, participants mentioned that they are unwilling to return to the hotel where they spent their quarantine, which raises issues regarding the future of hotels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 1965 KiB  
Article
An Assessment Methodology for the Evaluation of the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Italian Housing Market Demand
by Francesco Tajani, Felicia Di Liddo, Maria Rosaria Guarini, Rossana Ranieri and Debora Anelli
Buildings 2021, 11(12), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120592 - 28 Nov 2021
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4227
Abstract
Due to the forced changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had in many aspects of ordinary life (working, social life, training and learning in schools etc.), the characteristics of domestic spaces have significantly modified buying, selling and renting decisions in the real estate [...] Read more.
Due to the forced changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had in many aspects of ordinary life (working, social life, training and learning in schools etc.), the characteristics of domestic spaces have significantly modified buying, selling and renting decisions in the real estate market. The aim of this research was to structure a methodology, articulated into four steps, to assess the variation that has occurred in residential market demand as a result of COVID-19 anti-contagion measures, with regard to six metropolitan Italian cities. We considered two samples of properties for each city, the first referencing the pre-COVID-19 pandemic spread and the second collected in the current situation. Consequently, we were able to determine variations in residential market appreciations through the application of a regressive econometric technique. The obtained results highlighted the relevance assumed by indoor acoustic and thermal comfort property factors, compared with the pre-COVID-19 condition. The proposed methodology could be useful to support the public and private entities involved in urban investment decision-making processes, allowing us to identify the most appreciated factors of the residential real estate market demand, in order to improve the conditions of existing and future assets and reduce the related risk levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

31 pages, 3727 KiB  
Review
Prophylactic Architecture: Formulating the Concept of Pandemic-Resilient Homes
by Ghada Mohammad Elrayies
Buildings 2022, 12(7), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12070927 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4237
Abstract
The lockdown instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn the world’s attention to the importance of homes as integrated structures for practicing all aspects of life. The home has been transformed from a mere place to live into a complete piece of infrastructure [...] Read more.
The lockdown instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn the world’s attention to the importance of homes as integrated structures for practicing all aspects of life. The home has been transformed from a mere place to live into a complete piece of infrastructure accommodating all activities of life, including study, work, shopping, exercise, entertainment, and even telehealth. Although quarantines were necessary to protect against viral infection, we have faced social and psychological challenges due to the failure of the current home design to accommodate the new lockdown lifestyle during the pandemic. Thus, this study aims to set a foundation for the development and design of resilient homes in a post-quarantine world by establishing a comprehensive framework for quarantine-resilient homes. The framework was established on the basis of the relevant literature and proposals from architects and experts. It brings a perspective to the future requirements of homes so as to provide architects, stakeholders, and policymakers with the appropriate knowledge to mitigate the impact of lockdowns on mental health and well-being in residential buildings by focusing on the physical and architectural environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

28 pages, 4002 KiB  
Review
A Review on Building Design as a Biomedical System for Preventing COVID-19 Pandemic
by Mugahed Amran, Natt Makul, Roman Fediuk, Aleksey Borovkov, Mujahid Ali and Abdullah M. Zeyad
Buildings 2022, 12(5), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12050582 - 30 Apr 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6227
Abstract
Sustainable design methods aim to obtain architectural solutions that assure the coexistence and welfare of human beings, inorganic structures, and living things that constitute ecosystems. The novel coronavirus emergence, inadequate vaccines against the present severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-(SARS-CoV-2), and increases in microbial resistance [...] Read more.
Sustainable design methods aim to obtain architectural solutions that assure the coexistence and welfare of human beings, inorganic structures, and living things that constitute ecosystems. The novel coronavirus emergence, inadequate vaccines against the present severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-(SARS-CoV-2), and increases in microbial resistance have made it essential to review the preventative approaches used during pre-antibiotic periods. Apart from low carbon emissions and energy, sustainable architecture for facilities, building designs, and digital modeling should incorporate design approaches to confront the impacts of communicable infections. This review aims to determine how architectural design can protect people and employees from harm; it models viewpoints to highlight the architects’ roles in combating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and designing guidelines as a biomedical system for policymakers. The goals include exploring the hospital architecture evolution and the connection between architectural space and communicable infections and recommending design and digital modeling strategies to improve infection prevention and controls. Based on a wide-ranging literature review, it was found that design methods have often played important roles in the prevention and control of infectious diseases and could be a solution for combating the wide spread of the novel coronavirus or coronavirus variants or delta. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 1607 KiB  
Review
A Review on Research and Development of Healthy Building in China
by Yaolin Lin, Xingping Yuan, Wei Yang, Xiaoli Hao and Chunqing Li
Buildings 2022, 12(3), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12030376 - 18 Mar 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4773
Abstract
Healthy buildings are a deep-level development of green buildings, which can effectively help relieve stress and improve occupants’ physical and mental health. In addition, they are is likely to play an important role in preventing the spread of respiratory infectious diseases. Therefore, healthy [...] Read more.
Healthy buildings are a deep-level development of green buildings, which can effectively help relieve stress and improve occupants’ physical and mental health. In addition, they are is likely to play an important role in preventing the spread of respiratory infectious diseases. Therefore, healthy buildings have attracted worldwide attention. This article reviews the research and development of healthy buildings in China. First, it briefly introduces the definition of healthy buildings, the key elements of evaluation standards, energy conservation measures and new technology applications for healthy buildings, and lessons learned from the global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2. Secondly, it presents the milestones of healthy building development and healthy building projects in China, and the benefits of healthy buildings were also discussed. Finally, the differences in the evaluation systems of healthy buildings between China and other countries were analyzed, the problems of the current policy system of healthy buildings in China were identified, and suggestions for future development were provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-COVID Architecture Research)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-12
Back to TopTop