Dynamics of Industrial Revolution 4.0: Digital Technology Transformation and Cultural Evolution –
Wulandari et al (eds)
© 2021 The Author(s), ISBN 978-1-032-04451-4
Redesign of an interior HVAC system in order to limit the spread of the
COVID-19 virus in co-working spaces
A.D. Handoyo
Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia
E. Wicaksono
Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang, Indonesia
ABSTRACT: The existence of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world of design. The
current habit and design process are pushed to be able to adapt new habits in the post-pandemic
era. Public areas such as shared workspace have become one of the prioritized places for implementing health protocols as they work collectively. This study aims to identify the most optimal
solution so that the existing building design can meet the health protocol standards in the new era
of normality. Through precedent study, this research analyzes the ventilation system of co-working
space in Bandung. The observation focused on public areas that have the longest duration of use.
It was found based on the study that the design of open workspaces is relatively safe with cross
ventilation to dilute the air. However, enclosed space design requires additional attributes such as
UVC lamps to kill germs to clean the air.
Keywords: UVC, COVID, co-working space, air conditioning, interior design
1 BACKGROUND
The condition of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (hereafter referred to as COVID virus) demands the
manager of buildings to adapt the old design to new normal requirements through a process of
a redesign (Yatmo 2020; Hatmoko 2020; Tabinas 2020). In general, people spend most of their
time at home (Gilrandy et.al. 2020) or the office/co-working space (Turner 1971; Heidegger 1971;
Pramadesty 2018). Strong airflow from an air conditioner may spread a droplet that carries the
virus (Lu et al. 2020). The COVID virus also tends to be stable and has longer life outside of its
host body in a low temperature and humid environment such as in a space with an air conditioner
(Hillside 2020). The risk of spreading a disease will expand if there is less air exchange inside
the room, just like SARS cases at Hotel Metropole Hongkong in 2003 and the emergence of new
contagion clusters in offices.
For the sake of energy efficiency, some building managers only recycle air that has been cooled
down in the room. If not designated adequately, the air conditioning system may become a primary
incubator as well as a source of disease.
This case is different with an air conditioning system in an airplane or hospital that is specifically
designed with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) system that can block particles with a
diameter of 0.3 microns or higher, with 99% or even higher efficiency (Schoen 2014). However,
this HEPA filter has a limitation, which is its expensive price. An alternative system for artificial
airing is required and proposed to prevent the spread of the virus at an affordable price.
This research aims to analyze the airing system inside an existing design in adapting new habitual
activities, by taking a study to the design of co-working space in the city of Bandung. Co-working
space is chosen not only because this place serves as an office, but also as a home office concept
that is supported by various facilities.
DOI 10.1201/9781003193241-12
65
Wulandari et al (eds)
© 2021 The Author(s), ISBN 978-1-032-04451-4
Redesign of an interior HVAC system in order to limit the spread of the
COVID-19 virus in co-working spaces
A.D. Handoyo
Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia
E. Wicaksono
Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang, Indonesia
ABSTRACT: The existence of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world of design. The
current habit and design process are pushed to be able to adapt new habits in the post-pandemic
era. Public areas such as shared workspace have become one of the prioritized places for implementing health protocols as they work collectively. This study aims to identify the most optimal
solution so that the existing building design can meet the health protocol standards in the new era
of normality. Through precedent study, this research analyzes the ventilation system of co-working
space in Bandung. The observation focused on public areas that have the longest duration of use.
It was found based on the study that the design of open workspaces is relatively safe with cross
ventilation to dilute the air. However, enclosed space design requires additional attributes such as
UVC lamps to kill germs to clean the air.
Keywords: UVC, COVID, co-working space, air conditioning, interior design
1 BACKGROUND
The condition of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (hereafter referred to as COVID virus) demands the
manager of buildings to adapt the old design to new normal requirements through a process of
a redesign (Yatmo 2020; Hatmoko 2020; Tabinas 2020). In general, people spend most of their
time at home (Gilrandy et.al. 2020) or the office/co-working space (Turner 1971; Heidegger 1971;
Pramadesty 2018). Strong airflow from an air conditioner may spread a droplet that carries the
virus (Lu et al. 2020). The COVID virus also tends to be stable and has longer life outside of its
host body in a low temperature and humid environment such as in a space with an air conditioner
(Hillside 2020). The risk of spreading a disease will expand if there is less air exchange inside
the room, just like SARS cases at Hotel Metropole Hongkong in 2003 and the emergence of new
contagion clusters in offices.
For the sake of energy efficiency, some building managers only recycle air that has been cooled
down in the room. If not designated adequately, the air conditioning system may become a primary
incubator as well as a source of disease.
This case is different with an air conditioning system in an airplane or hospital that is specifically
designed with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) system that can block particles with a
diameter of 0.3 microns or higher, with 99% or even higher efficiency (Schoen 2014). However,
this HEPA filter has a limitation, which is its expensive price. An alternative system for artificial
airing is required and proposed to prevent the spread of the virus at an affordable price.
This research aims to analyze the airing system inside an existing design in adapting new habitual
activities, by taking a study to the design of co-working space in the city of Bandung. Co-working
space is chosen not only because this place serves as an office, but also as a home office concept
that is supported by various facilities.
DOI 10.1201/9781003193241-12
65