The Firefly | Pandemic Architecture Top100

Pandemic Architecture, an International Ideas Competition curated by the Design Ambassador for ARCHISEARCH.gr,  invited the creative community to open up a dialogue and create a think tank, looking for ideas from the architectural and design community about the future of the living, the workspace, the public space and the tourism industry after the outbreak of Covid-19.

People feeling lonely, anxious about what will happen, some even feel excluded. Many others have had to leave their homes without knowing when they will be able to come back. Hopelessness of wanting to go out, of wanting to breathe fresh air, but knowing they cannot, they must stay isolated…

WHAT IF WE COULD MAKE HOSPITALS COME CLOSER TO HOME?

THE FIREFLY

During this Pandemic, about 80% of infections was mild or moderate, without the need of hospitalization.

The Firefly is a set of three different modules that can be combined in many ways. Its easy assembly and flexibility make it perfect to adapt to diverse situations, such as, the courtyard of your house, the roofs of buildings, or even on the countryside.

The main module consists of the space where the patient will spend most of the time. It is a 3.6m x 3.6m room, equipped on its side with a piece of furniture in which the patient will find everything he needs to live comfortably for 14 days. This cabinet is divided into two parts, one for the patient and one for the medical team. In addition to storage space, space for electric installation facilities, a folding bed is also included, designed without legs for easier cleaning.

Apart from seats, a working table, a computer for the doctor and space for medical devices, an intelligent mirror is installed which will be able to measure the patient’s body temperature and make an analysis of his physical state. It was also important to keep in mind the contact with his relatives, so a projector and camera are also integrated, to keep in touch with his family and therefore avoid feeling lonely. The tilted side of the room is designed to open, thus providing a relationship between the patient and the surrounding environment, making it possible to breathe fresh air.

The other two smaller modules (1.2m x 3.6m) are designed as a sanitary module and an entrance module. The module that is intended for the bathroom, is designed with a toilet in which the sink is incorporated to save space. On the other side the shower will be installed, and next to it, a 0.4m3 water tank for an autonomy of 4 days. The container is made of a transparent material so that the user himself can see the water he is consuming, and therefore make a responsible use of it. The entrance module has a sink where you can disinfect yourself before and after seeing the patient, and an exchange cabinet. This piece of wardrobe allows the exchange of food and clothes without having contact with the patient. If needed, a third smaller module could be placed, as a way of connecting the other three different ones.

As for its construction, The Firefly is prepared to cover in an autonomous way the demand for water and electricity. This is done with the use of solar panels, installed on the roof, electric batteries located under the radiant heating floor and the water tanks.

The main material for the lining is polycarbonate, a translucent material that allows the patient to be surrounded by light all day. He will get up when the sun rises, and go to sleep when it is dark, being able to synchronize with the rhythm of nature.