Design Challenge
#3: How might we learn from COVID-19 to reimagine our future for life, work, learning and play?
The spread of COVID has been linked to air-droplets, but also arguably the metal surfaces in Public spaces ( Hand Railings, Doors, Lift Buttons etc )
Copper has been recognised by different cultures as vital to our health since ancient times. It has been well documented that copper is ‘a natural, passive, antimicrobial material that can self-sterilize its surface without the need for electricity or bleach’.
Therefore, through ‘rediscovering’ the hygiene benefits that copper provides, it is the objective of this project to research, rethink and create a versatile copper surface system that is simple, natural and sustainable for different usage scenarios and applications.
Criteria #1: Value
New virus / germs keep mutating. How can we raise the thresholds and increase barriers of microbes which come in close proximity or contact with human beings ? Can we reduce the spread?
Criteria #2: Inspiration
If we could make public space surfaces such that it limits the transfer of virus, the rate pandemic would spread would have reduced exponentially.
Copper has been recognised by different cultures as vital to our health since ancient times. It has been well documented that copper is ‘a natural, passive, antimicrobial material that can self-sterilize its surface without the need for electricity or bleach’.
Criteria #3: Impact
Therefore, through ‘rediscovering’ the hygiene benefits that copper provides, we can help in reducing risk of COVID 19. it is the objective of this project to rethink and create a versatile and mass impact copper surface system that is simple, natural and sustainable for different usage scenarios and applications – for wide use in the society.
Criteria #4: Timeliness
The intended outcome of this project is a copper surface system that may consist of a range of modular units. When assembled, these units could be applied on or adapted to surfaces and objects, to suit different usage scenarios for both aesthetic and antimicrobial purposes.
Criteria #5: Systems Thinking
We intend to create a modular system which can cover surfaces with copper. It could be on door handles, lifts, MRT rails , table tops and hospitals.