Taiwanese design studio creates prototype modular ward for hospitals using recycled aluminium

Design studio Miniwiz, together with Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), and Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, has built a prototype modular ward for hospitals using recycled aluminium panels, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Named Modular Adaptable Convertible (MAC), the prototype has been built to adapt to the high market demand, which can quickly transform buildings or under-utilised space into various types of wards. The modular units can be assembled either inside existing buildings or on land adjacent to hospitals. They are designed to be an alternative temporary ward where COVID-19 patients can be treated.

"As the Covid-19 pandemic spreads globally, the demand for medical and hospital wards have also skyrocketed," said Miniwiz.

The Taiwanese design studio also said, "People avoid going to hospitals to reduce any possible contamination risks. Therefore, many countries have built temporary, mobile-cabin hospitals on the nearby outdoor areas, but these traditional units built with basic equipment and without ventilation can have high temperatures causing discomfort for the medical staff treating the patients."

MAC consists of a kit of interlocking parts that can be connected to create negative pressure environments to enable the control of the risk of virus spread by containing particles. Thanks to aluminium panels, the kit is lightweight and easy to ship long-distance.

"With fast deployment in mind, the kit is highly mobile, and designed for air shipping, allowing the structure to be assembled within 24 hours, from component sourcing to functional wards," said Miniwiz.

Walls inside the prototype modular wards are built from Miniwiz's anti-viral and bacterial acoustic panels. The panels are also made from recycled aluminium cans and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), hence, they have sound absorption panels covered with an anti-bacterial coating including an Ultraviolet self-cleaning system, which Miniwiz said "reduces 99.9 per cent of bacteria count, while repelling viruses".

"Sustainable beyond concept delivery, Miniwiz will maximise the use of post-consumer single-use material including aluminium cans and PET bottles," said the studio. "These materials will then be upcycled into medical-grade antiviral/bacterial materials."

Following the completion of the prototype, Miniwiz looks forward to collaborate with Fu Jen Hospital to install additional modular units.