Copper Conversations was a drawing I had created for the 2020 ISO[NATION]Home office competition the brief required the following:
Design a work and living space for a household of one to four dwellers
Consider the work-life habit changes after the worldwide isolation / quarantine
Drawings should be in the right scale to show how people interact with the space
The design could be a flat, a house, an open plan or in any other configurations
No limit to the number of floors and no site context is required
During the COVID-19 outbreak, most people were forced to isolate at home, turning our living spaces into sanctuaries from external threats. Social distancing is challenging, especially in shared homes with vulnerable individuals. Our spaces must be adaptable to these new needs. The WHO’s 2-meter distancing rule and precautions regarding surfaces create a divided living environment. As architects, we typically focus on the tactile qualities of materials, but now we must consider materials that actively prevent the spread of infection.
Copper Conversations proposes an intervention using copper, a material known to inhibit bacterial growth. Since bacteria and viruses can linger on plastic and steel for up to 48 hours, copper is introduced in high-contact areas to prevent infection.
Mechanical systems, such as air filtration and controlled air conditioning, are incorporated, along with passive ventilation through windows and screens. Washing machines and dryers are placed in ventilated areas away from communal spaces. Traditional home elements, like the dumbwaiter, are reintroduced to connect floors without needing to leave rooms.
While isolation is necessary, it can lead to monotony and stress. The need to work from home only adds to this. Therefore, the design focuses on incorporating elements essential to a healthy lifestyle: sunlight, well-ventilated spaces, versatile areas for exercise and relaxation, connections to the outside world, internal screens for distancing, and materials that help prevent infection.
Copper Conversations illustrates these essential living standards through a drawing of an adaptation to my own family home.
