E3S Web of Conferences 274, 01013 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202127401013 STCCE – 2021 Emergency architecture. Modular construction of healthcare facilities as a response to pandemic outbreak Marina Smolova1, and Daria Smolova2[0000-0002-2297-0505] 1Kazan State University of Architecture and Engineering, 420043 Kazan, Russia 2NFOE Inc., QC H2Y 2W7 Montreal, Canada Abstract. Emerging infectious diseases originating from wildlife species continue to demolish humankind leaving an imprint on human history. December 2019 has marked the emergence of a novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-2019) originated in China in the city of Wuhan. Drastic emergence and spread of infectious disease have shown to appear in highly densified areas causing rapid spread of epidemic through population movement, transmission routes, major activity nodes, proximity, and connectivity of urban spaces. An extreme number of cases rising throughout the world caused space unavailability in healthcare facilities to serve patients infected with Covid-2019, therefore urging for innovative emergency management response from construction and architecture industry. Prefabricated modular construction has been widely utilized around the globe assembling rapid response facilities after catastrophic events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and forest fires. An increasing number of Covid-2019 cases demanded effective and compressed implementation of medical centres to provide expeditious and secure healthcare. The paper examines the potential of standardization of modular construction of hospitals as a response to current and potential pandemic outbreaks. The research provides fundamental planning requirements of isolation units and their design flexibility as a key to rapid emergency solution. Keywords. Modular construction, prefabrication, prefabricated construction, emergency architecture, healthcare facilities, hospitals, prefabricated architecture, Covid-2019. 1 Introduction Wuhan – the centre of Covid-2019 origination, considered to be the largest city in Central China and the central core for commerce and industry with high connectivity to international airports and proximity of people in living environments that amplified disease capacity [1]. The outbreak of Covid-2019 began during the Chinese Spring Festival, which caused an enormous acceleration of population movement resulting in the burst of infected people. January 21st has shown 215 cases confirmed in China, including 198 cases in Wuhan region and 17 cases that spread to other cities such as Shenzhen as the first reported case outside of Corresponding author: [email protected] © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). E3S Web of Conferences 274, 01013 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202127401013 STCCE – 2021 Wuhan, Beijing, and Shanghai [2]. Dense urban areas, mass gatherings, and domestic Architectural Design Institute and later constructed by China Construction Third Engineering transportations were former factors that influenced the speed, capacity, and transmission of Bureau [6]. The hospital included isolating units’ of 1600 beds located on a 79900 m2 the virus to other regions and countries. covering the area of 21.97 ha [6]. To reduce the workload and accelerate the project, A high number of cases caused by great population and lack of available spaces in engineers and architects have used modular prefabricated systems. A steel structure was hospitals required urgent response from authorities. Despite the similarity of Covid-2019 utilized as a primary modular assembly delivering various functions adopted to host spread patterns around the world, cities responded differently thus resulting in distinct and operations in full isolation [6]. innovative design solutions for healthcare systems. In order to provide health services, China has transformed conference centres and stadiums into shelters for medical care [3]. To host huge numbers of people Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals were constructed using prefabricated modular units within few days after Wuhan outbreak began [4]. Modular construction method indeed differs from the conventional construction process. Modules are built and prefabricated off-site and then transferred and assembled into a structure at their final destination [5]. Modular units can be assembled as a set of volumetric elements including walls, ceilings, and floors on-site, or can be delivered fully completed for rapid construction. Modular prefabricated construction has been widely used to save lives influenced by global warming calamities serving the urgent and temporary shelters. Nowadays, living in an unpredictable world, modular architecture allows prompt and efficient response permitting to save greater number of lives. In comparison to conventional construction process, utilization of prefabricated units is more efficient when rapid construction is necessary, which allows to cover big areas and provide medical care to people in need. Authors believe that modular construction serves a great potential in providing emergency response in a new pandemic era. The model of the Leishenshan construction process has accelerated and promoted the integration of modular units into emergency construction worldwide, therefore developing an innovative design approach in combatting Covid-2019 virus. Preliminary research has shown the lack of supportive materials of modular hospital design, which highlights the importance of further research. The paper focuses on the application of modular design of Leishenshan hospital, which Fig. 1. Functional zoning of Leishenshan hospital [7]. has accelerated the new development of modular unit systems. The paper is based on The construction process combined the assembly of modules on-site fitting into the innovative design technologies and their reflection on the efficiency and utilization of structure where innovative BIM technologies assisted in planning and precise hospital hospitals during Covid-2019 pandemic. Following that, the research highlights the essential formation. Despite the overall complexity of the task and compressed delivery time, the information about the design standards and specifications required in the design of modular construction of healthcare facilities for the treatment of infectious diseases is complex and systems. Additionally, it indicates important sanitary requirements specific to the construction of virus-related hospitals. requires not only prefabrication units but the use of modern BIM technologies and The paper aims to indicate the potential of modular construction of temporary hospitals, cooperation off and on-site. therefore creating innovative preparation measures. Authors believe that modular During the design stage architects and engineers integrated two types of modules with construction of hospitals will allow not only a better preparedness for future viruses but dimensions of 3×6×2.9 m and 2×6×2,9 m [6]. Modular units adopted a skeleton system provide more flexibility of design serving the potential for hospital expansion and rapid composed of composite board walls as main elements [6]. The utilization of a composite system delivery of separate modular healthcare facilities. allows rigidity, safety, stability, and durability of the entire structure. To form the module, walls, ceilings, and floors panels included glass fiber insulation and steel plate finishes [6]. Each modular unit is well insulated and equipped with a drainage system placed in corners. 2 Materials and methods The construction process of Leishenshan hospital took ten days and was subdivided into To understand the specificity of prefabricated hospital design, the paper provides in-detail several stages. As shown on fig. 2, implementation process consists of several stages. Initial constriction and design process of Leishenshan hospital. It highlights essential data covering the preparation includes work of excavators and bulldozers for levelling the ground. When the ground beginning of the construction process, implementation, and its lifetime utilization. Following is flat, sand is being distributed on the ground into layers combining geotextile fabric and analysis includes plans and schemes, which highlight necessary design standards of modular unit waterproofing materials in between to form the basis for foundation. Following that, concrete hospital construction, consequently identifying fundamental requirements of design. foundation is poured into the framed area with pillars for further waste drainage system. When the foundation is set, a skeleton of the units is placed accordingly to the plan. Consequently, skeleton modules being completed with prefabricated panels and essential electrical, medical, 2.1 Construction of Leishenshan hospital and ventilation systems, after which beds and other equipment can be placed. Leishenshan hospital was built as an emergency response to provide healthcare to patients infected with the novel Covid-2019 virus. The hospital was designed by Zhongnan 2 E3S Web of Conferences 274, 01013 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202127401013 STCCE – 2021 Wuhan, Beijing, and Shanghai [2]. Dense urban areas, mass gatherings, and domestic Architectural Design Institute and later constructed by China Construction Third Engineering transportations were former factors that influenced the speed, capacity, and transmission of Bureau