AIA’s COVID-19 Task Force publishes design guide for retrofitting buildings for hospital use

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has published a preliminary “Preparedness Assessment Tool” to help architects and healthcare directors appropriately select existing buildings for reuse as Alternative Care Sites (ACS). 

The document brings together best practices for ACS design based on existing and recently implemented directives and was developed according to “joint professional input from trained and experienced health care architects, designers, engineers, scientists, life-safety consultants, healthcare professionals, and hospital facility operations,” according to the document. 

The Tool stakes out key priorities for these temporary sites and offers design guidance for limiting the spread of viruses within the facility while establishing a baseline level of quality and functionality for the healthcare delivered in these spaces.