Pandemic rescue architecture

A Przemysław Kiełb from the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology received an honorable mention in the Zbyszek Zawistowski "Diploma of the Year" competition for his work "Mobile architecture in times of pandemic on the example of a contemporary lazaret in the Żerań Port in Warsaw." The work, created under the supervision of Professor Radoslaw Achramowicz, is a response to the growing challenges facing contemporary architecture in the face of global health, demographic, climate and political threats.

site plan

© Przemysław Kiełb

problems of the modern world

In his work, Kielb analyzes how global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the problems associated with the lack of adequate infrastructure capable of responding quickly to emergencies. The increase in the number of male and female residents in coastal areas and the severity of climate change are increasing the risk of disasters and forcing the creation of systems that can respond quickly to medical needs. According to Kiel, the answer to these problems should be mobile architecture - flexible, modular, ready for immediate installation and adaptable to a variety of conditions.

axonometric view

© Przemysław Kiełb

idea of mobile architecture

The diploma project involves the creation of a system of mobile units that can be quickly transported, disassembled and used as field hospitals or clinics in emergency situations. The modules are reusable, which reduces costs and allows for repeated use. Technological solutions, including pneumatic structures made of PTFE membranes, allow installation in almost any climate, from frigid Arctic zones to hot deserts, making them robust and flexible, yet lightweight and easy to install.

layouts

© Przemysław Kiełb

technologies used

The project uses technologies inspired by aeronautics. The structure of the modules is based on monocoque technology, known for its lightness and strength. The pneumatic system allows the internal pressure to remain stable, ensuring the strength of the structure even if one of the elements is damaged. The structures can be folded and unfolded repeatedly, making them extremely durable and economical.

cross section

© Przemysław Kiełb

location - Żerań Port

Kiełb chose Port Żerański in Warsaw as the test site for the temporary hospital. The site meets the requirements for distance from residential buildings and provides access to public roads, which is crucial for rapid transportation and logistics. The hospital's spatial layout was inspired by the solutions used during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the concept of zoning to avoid cross-infection.

location

© Przemysław Kiełb

challenges and benefits of the project

The project also considered the impact of such solutions on the comfort of male and female users. The modules provide access to natural light and create an environment conducive to mental health, according to the principles of biophilia and salutogenesis. The form of the inflatable structures, giving the objects organic shapes, is expected to benefit the well-being of patients.

cross section

© Przemyslaw Kielb

Przemysław Kiełb's thesis is an attempt to respond to the needs of the modern world.His project is not only a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also an attempt to find solutions that could be applied to future emergencies, such as natural disasters or migrations forced by conflicts. The mobile architecture proposed by Kiel offers a forward-looking model of medical infrastructure - flexible, sustainable and able to adapt quickly, which could be crucial in providing medical assistance where it is needed most.

conclusions

© Przemysław Kiełb

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