We’ve all been talking about the “new normal”, but we have very little idea what that really means. Lifestyle changes, consumption patterns, and psychological shifts are all inevitable in the long-term, but more immediately we’re going to have to come up with some innovative ways to work within social distancing practices.
The New Normal in a Post-Covid World
With the lockdowns easing the world over, and people slowly returning to the office, schools, public spaces, what does our redesigned socially distanced world look like? Let’s look at some creative solutions from designers around the world.
1. Theatre: Berliner Ensemble (Berlin, Germany)
With the first post-Covid theatre production slated to open on 4 September, German theatre company Berliner Ensemble (f. 1949) has been working on a reduced seating plan for its main auditorium. They have ripped out 500 of the 700 seats in order to achieve the advised 1.5m distance between seats, with 70% of the now 200-seater arranged in pairs. A minimum distance of 3m will be maintained between the stage and the first row of the audience, and some doors will remain open throughout the performance to allow for air circulation.
The theatre is also doing away with the concept of the “interval” altogether to avoid crowds at the toilet at that time—which means audience members no longer need to hold it in; they can now take bathroom breaks as and when their bladder insists on it. The Berliner Ensemble, which shuttered down on 13 March this year, revealed what their auditorium now looks like with an announcement on Twitter last week.
Image credit: Berliner Ensemble Twitter
2. Hotel: The Manser Practice (UK)
Say goodbye to the idea of welcome drinks and smiling receptionists? Architectural firm Manser Practice—who have designed several hotels in the UK—imagine that post-pandemic hotel practices will, first of all, include significantly reduced human contact. Touchless check-ins and temperature checks, and hotels are also working on app-led touchless access, one-way systems, larger rooms with inbuilt gyms, and delivery hatches for room service and laundry so staff never need to enter your room.
"Using smart technologies to minimise the number of touchpoints between entry and the hotel room will put guests more at ease about potentially contaminated surfaces,” the firm said, "Robot cleaning might be an option as well but we haven’t yet cracked automatic bed making!"
3. Parks: Domino Park (Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC) & Parc de la Distance (Austria)
A five-acre public park that runs along the East River, Domino Park is a historic site that pays tribute to generations of Domino workers and their neighbourhood. As New York City opens up, authorities have painted white circles on the grass of the waterfront park to ensure visitors maintain social distancing while they’re there.
Meanwhile, Austria-based Studio Precht has taken things up several notches with the a proposal for a fingerprint-shaped, maze-like ‘Parc de la Distance’ with high hedges for those who wish to stroll in solitude. “What would a park look like and how would it function if it takes the rules of social distancing as a design guideline?” Chris Precht said. “And what can we learn from a space like this that still has value after the pandemic. For now, the park is designed to create a safe physical distance between its visitors. After the pandemic, the park is used to escape the noise and bustle of the city and be alone for some time.”
4. Schools: Social Distancing Hats (China)
How do you even explain social distancing to children?
Harder still, how do you make sure they keep it?
In Yangzheng Elementary School in Hangzhou, China, kids are wearing wide-winged hats made of cardboard tubes that measure approximately 3-feet across to help them keep the distance. Turned into a fun project (or a lasting fashion trend), they’re being encouraged to explore their creative side with decorations including balloons, stickers, leaves, and so on.
Meanwhile, research and design platform Livable responded to the United Nations' Global Call Out to Creatives initiative to increase awareness around social distancing with this ratan frame for the head and body. It wasn’t intended for use by the public, but who knows? The world is a wild place right now.
5. Bars & Restaurants: Australia
Disposable cutlery, digital menus, hand sanitiser on every table, and physical distancing in both indoor seating and outdoor takeaway queues. These are the basics you can expect at most restaurants when they do finally re-open. In Australia, eateries are also introducing “greenhouse dining”, where their patrons eat in individual greenhouses and redesigning their spaces for outdoor seating only. Cleaning services, thus far done discreetly, will now be carried out in a clear view of their guests, to put their minds at ease. And of course, the staff will be duly masked and gloved at all times.
6. Nightlife & Bars: Europe
Perhaps the most depressing thought on this list is the idea of what post-pandemic partying might look like. Amsterdam has already started experimenting with clubs playing music for socially-distanced and seated (!) party-goers, capped at a total limit of 30:
Meanwhile in Germany, a club held the country’s first drive-in social-distancing rave on 9 May. This is what 250 cars parked in front of the DJ looked (and sounded) like.
Germany is also experimenting with dancing circles, in which attendees are assigned a table and chalk circle on the dance floor upon entry. Unless they’re dancing inside their designated circles—spread six feet apart—all guests are required to wear masks. Others are experimenting with dancing squares cordoned off with rope/chain.
With time, bars are also likely to follow in Japan’s footsteps and look at replacing human staff with robots:
