| 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 |
