| dc.description.abstract | Pandemics spread due to poor housing conditions. Diseases have resulted in
inducing the concept of mass housing, evident from housing projects initiated
after the Great Plaque in London. Current pandemic, i.e., the spreading of the
COVID-19 virus affected physical health of humans at alarming rates. The
relationship between the spread of pandemics and living environments is
unexplored. The study intends to bridge the gap in literature, and explore
methods that could be implemented to mitigate situations in future scenarios.
The parameters by the WELL Building Standard®, of air, water and light have
been considered. Results explicitly prove mechanical systems of residential
housing units need a (MERV) of 8, as 70-85% of particles can be captured.
Relative humidity between 40%-60% can limit spreading of COVID19 within
housing interiors. Pressure difference between corridor spaces and rooms will
prevent air circulating from source to another in hospitals, minimising
spreading of pathogens. Similar strategy can be adopted into the housing context
via mechanical ventilation systems. The most effective method to limit
spreading of pathogens from room to room in hospitals is to design a buffer
space. This can be adopted in the housing context, such as powder rooms in
apartments. Airborne viruses that contain single-stranded RNA are reduced by
90% with a low dose of UV light and is eliminated through building glass layers.
A set of adaptive guidelines have been derived, to be applied in designing mass
housing and also in managing Built Environment in similar situations. | en_US |
