Introducing 'The Social Contact Pod' for the vulnerable

The most vulnerable in our society have the greatest need to be protected from the Covid-19 virus.  However, to protect them from contamination they are isolated from their friends and family, in care homes, hospices and rehabilitation centres across the UK.  Government guidance indicates that this situation will not change anytime soon. 

In response Ramboll has worked with Scott Brownriggs’ Design Research Unit and Hoare Lea on a practical, rapidly assembled solution.

‘The Social Contact Pod’ allows families to spend valuable time with loved ones without the risk of contamination. It recognises the desperate need for people, particularly the elderly to maintain a physical connection with loved ones despite the virus; bringing back that all important connection that has so swiftly been cut out of our lives.  Allowing for that most human of actions, grandparents can hold the hands of their grandchildren once again.

Constructed from simple low cost glulam (CLT) panels (potentially surplus stock from house builds), it is lightweight, rapidly constructed and is easily transported on the back of a standard truck or pulled on a trailer.  It can be installed at the entrance to a care home and/or dropped in a carpark or garden for immediate use. Importantly it’s been designed to be fully sustainable so that pods can be repurposed or recycled with relative ease when they are, hopefully, no longer needed.

Within the fully accessible design, a Perspex partition separates the two groups; an area of plastic membrane allows for human contact and hand holding. 

In terms of internal comfort, the pod has high levels of air quality and natural daylight, along with a comfortable temperature, acoustics, and access to fresh air. Simplicity is key to the design, the pods are cost-effective to run, with the lowest carbon emissions possible, and feature simple controls for people to adjust their environment as needed.

Each side of the partition incorporates a handle-less door, ventilation, a cleaning station with a sensor operated sanitiser and a flip up/down table. A perforated acoustic metal ceiling has integrated speakers to support communication. 

With sustainability in mind, the Social Contact Pod is designed to be completely off-grid, powered by solar panels and battery, and constructed using sustainable Cross Laminated Timber.

Ramboll timber expert Alan Dowdall, said “In these isolating times being able to connect vulnerable people with their loved ones is a social necessity. For the ‘Pod’ structure we focused on simplicity and repeatability to make the Pod cost effective and easy to build from a standard kit of parts, which will hopefully encourage many of these to be rolled out".

If successful, the Pod has the flexibility to be used in other scenarios, including providing a safe space for doctor-patient consultations. 

The Design Research Unit/ Hoare Lea/ Ramboll team are looking for willing collaborators within the construction industry to help build a prototype, before a potential roll out in the next few months.  

Ed Hayden, Director at Scott Brownrigg concludes: “The sudden and dramatic changes to our lives have affected all of us, but we have to be aware of how terrifying and isolating this is for the most vulnerable in our society. As architects and designers it is our duty to help to bring social contact back to the elderly and vulnerable in a safe and familiar way. We call upon our construction industry partners to join with us and create these social contact pods, and bring contact back into their lives”. 

Interested parties should contact Scott Brownrigg at designresearchunit@scottbrownrigg.com