Should Covid Dictate Design?

 "Modernist design was, in part, a response to the tuberculosis epidemic of the early 20th century"  While doing a little research on how Covid19 is effecting current design, I came across this statement.  I don't know just how accurate it is, but it was published in Colomina, B., X-ray Architecture by Lars Müller Publishers in 2019 and the idea behind it seems to be in line with some studies being done on the subject today.

Wondering what to do to make your youth services areas more covid friendly?  Ask me anything HERE and get an answer quickly!

You've most likely already had to make design decisions or are being faced with them now as you navigate the effects the pandemic has had on your own building and patrons.

But what are the pros and cons to doing a complete turnaround on your functional layout and how can you get the most out of the changes you DO make?  Take a look at the things I've learned in furniture layout design over the past 18 months:

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOW 

 1.  Create spaces that are functional and open for people to move around in comfortably. 

2.  Use fun and creative individual study units to allow for separation but in a way that doesn't make people feel so isolated.

3.  Maintain a familiar environment to keep your patrons (especially your younger ones) from feeling the stress of such dramatic changes.

4.  Allow your patrons to see you putting your sanitation methods into action to provide more patron confidence.

5.  Provide a sense of normalcy as often as you can even as you work to make your Library design feel safer and more intentional.

The one thing you don't want to do though is overdo it.  Keep your space sanitized.  Make reasonable furniture layout changes where you can.  Make your Library feel accessible and inviting.  But here's a list of don'ts I've learned while designing "covid-friendly" spaces for some of my current clients.

WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM OTHERS

• Don't design an entire layout around social distancing.  I know this seems backwards, but if you design your furniture layouts to accommodate less furniture and more space, you will eventually have to purchase more furniture to fill in the gaps.  And that gets expensive.  Not to mention it might be impossible to match what you purchase the first time around at a later date.

• Design for what your space requires and just restrict activity in a way that promotes social distancing.  You can always open those spaces back up whenever you feel comfortable doing so.

• Don't build up your dividing partitions on furniture to be too high.  We did this in one project at the request of the owner and they really regretted it later.  The occupants felt so isolated and the extra height really didn't make nearly the difference other safety measures fulfilled.

• Make sure everything can be converted back to normal operations without causing any major damage to your existing walls, ceilings and furniture.  Permanent solutions may be regretted eventually.

So make the changes that feel right for you and your patrons.  Only you know what will work the best for your Library.  But keep these tips in mind as you put together your system.  And if I can help in any way, please don't hesitate to either reply back to me or join the DIY Library Design facebook group here to get the answers you're looking for.  Tell me how I can help!