Threshold space for prevention and control of COVID-19 exposed environment

Abstract

Dwelling as an alternative to cure and isolate confirmed positive or asymptomatic people of COVID-19 becomes an essential place. However, it is necessary to ensure no physical contact between dwelling users since COVID-19 can be transmitted through droplets. Preventing and controlling the transmission is achieved by inserting transitional space between users, activities, or programs. The idea of transitional space is determined from Rumoh Aceh, an adaptive vernacular design that provides a boundary between public and private zones to limit access to strangers. This paper aims to translate space configurations of Rumoh Aceh as local wisdom to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission by making transitional space, a separation between confirmed positive or asymptomatic and healthy people. The data is obtained from the observation of three Rumoh Aceh in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. The space configurations are translated into five types of threshold space, promoting social distancing between users, providing cleaning space for personal hygiene, giving atmosphere for self-isolation, having natural ventilation features, and daylight exposure. Then, these types are explored and adapted in a contemporary dwelling design. As a final translation and exploration, this paper provides strategies and design recommendations for a threshold space in a contemporary dwelling design. The strategies and recommendations are explored and adapted in a 60 square meter house plan.