Coronavirus emergency could change hospital design

As COVID-19 cases increase, healthcare organizations are converting hotels, convention centers, and city parks into new hospital spaces

According to an article on the Smithsonian website, architects are already talking about how modern hospital designs could change to avoid a repeat of the current situation.

Current modern hospitals often lack the flexibility to accommodate a sudden surge of patients. To help fill the gaps, U.S. healthcare providers are embracing temporary hospital designs. 

HKS Architects has released concept studies for converting buildings into temporary hospital spaces in 14 days or fewer. The firm also organized an a webinar on conversions with representatives of hospital systems, hotel chains, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Read the article.