Wallace, J. & Colbert, Z. (2021). “Reopening Retail: Architectural Strategies for Adapting Retail Environments to Physical Distancing Protocols.” In S. Basset et al (Eds). 2021 RAIC CCUSA 2021 Academic Summit on Architecture Proceedings. (pp.110-117).
https://raic.org/academicsummit2021
https://bringbackmainstreet.org/msdc-submissions/reopening-retail
The impact of the novel coronavirus on the built environment has sparked a reevaluation of architectural and urban design, echoing historical responses to public health crises. Drawing from past interventions like the establishment of building codes in response to tuberculosis outbreaks, contemporary architecture faces the challenge of reimagining public spaces to accommodate the realities of living with Covid-19. This shift is particularly evident in retail environments, where physical distancing measures have prompted a reassessment of traditional main street dynamics. Through a series of hand-drawn architectural modifications presented in an interactive flipbook, this work explores adaptive design strategies for various retail typologies, aiming to catalyze public discourse and democratize the architectural vocabulary towards fostering innovation and better policy decisions in the built environment.
Drawings by Josh Wallace