How Air Moves

The 19th-century cholera pandemics were overcome through a two-step approach: first, identifying the water-borne pathogen and its transmission, and then re-engineering urban water systems. In the wake of the 21st-century pandemic, how might urban design adapt?

In order to even begin the search for the right solutions, one question must first be answered. How does influenza propagate within buildings?

And to answer this, how air flows within and through buildings must first be understood.

*Below is a subset of a larger HKU research project I was heavily involved in, led by Professor E.H. Schuldenfrei, in collaboration with team members that specialised in Architecture, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Data Analytics, Interior Architecture, Computational Design and more, supported by a grant from Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (HKU C7105-21G).

I am the sole author of all the photographs, drawings, texts and diagrams shown below.

My Role: Lead Industrial Designer, High-level Engineer

Status: Ongoing

Software: Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop, Software Engineering

Hardware: 3D Printing, Electrical Engineering

“Pandemics have taken a devastating toll on global economies and societies, yet their impact on individuals is equally severe, with many people left feeling lonely and isolated.”

The latter issue is what I am truly after.

The device is still in its initial development phase and will continue to be tested, refined, and iterated upon.

To be continued...

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