Elderly and people with health issue are most vulnerable in our society that need to be protected from COVID-19 virus. Unfortunately, this also means that grandparents won’t be able to see their children and grandchildren, they are isolated from friends and family, staying in hospices, in care homes, or rehabilitation centers. This isolation means that elderly people can experience a drop in their quality of life for months since we don’t know when the situation will change.

In response to this problem, “The Social Contact Pod” has been designed to allow families to spend valuable time with loved ones without the risk of contamination. It’s really important for elderly people to maintain physical connection with their loved ones despite the virus, it helps to bring back important connection that’s been cut out their lives.

Scott Brownriggs has teamed up with Ramboll (CLT Expert) and Hoare Lea (sustainability specialists) to come up with “The Social Contact Pod”. Each pod is constructed from simple and low cost CLT panels, it is lightweight and can be constructed rapidly, it is easy to transport using a standard truck or be pulled on a trailer. Easy installation has become the key, making this pod can be placed at the entrance to a care home or in a garden for immediate use. Once the pandemic is over, hopefully soon, Social Contact Pod can be repurposed or recycled with ease.

Click above image for larger view

Inside the pod, there’s a Perspex partition that separates two groups with one area of plastic membrane that allows for human contact and hand holding. It has high level of air quality, natural daylight, nice temperature, acoustics, and of course good access to fresh air. Aside creating connection, this pod design also focuses on simplicity and cost-effective operation. The Social Contact Pod is completely off-gird, it is powered by solar panels and battery.

Each side of partition features a handle-less door, ventilation, a cleaning station with sensor-operated sanitizer, and a flip up/down table. Communication between two groups are supported by speakers, which are integrated onto perforated acoustic metal ceiling.

The Pod is pretty flexible, if successful, anyone can use it, including when we need a safe space for doctor-patient consultations.