An Italian architect and Urban Planner, Stefano Boeri, is the founding partner of Stefano Boeri Architetti, a Milan based design practice in Italy. He is one of the most celebrated architects in Italy and is also known for the vertical forest project in Milan, which comprises the entire façade stuffed in greenery. With so many countries in the world gearing up to dispense the Covid – 19 vaccinations to their citizens, the Italian government has announced that it will be constructing 1,500 vaccine pavilions throughout the country.
The design of the prefabricated pavilions conceived and designed under the team of Stefano Boeri Designs along with a team of consultants brainstormed to develop the design of botanically themed stations. The campaign concept, true to its form revolves around the image of a springtime flower, pink primrose, conveying a symbol of serenity, regeneration, and rediscovery of life. Accompanied by the slogan “Italy is reborn with a flower”, the pop-up pavilions will be erected in major piazza squares across the city and the public kiosks will relay the information about the importance of vaccination.
Italy has been hard hit by the pandemic and with over 65,000 deaths tied to the virus, the government is assuring that most of its citizens will be vaccinated by next September. It has surpassed the UK to become the country with the highest death toll among the European countries. “If this virus has locked us up in hospitals and homes, the vaccine will bring us back into contact with life and the nature that surrounds us. Getting vaccinated will be an act of civic responsibility, love for others, and the rediscovery of life. If this virus has locked us up in hospitals and homes, the vaccine will bring us back into contact with life and the nature that surrounds us”, explains Stefano Boeri.
Project Concept
As the concept explains, the inspirational flower, logo, design of the pavilion, and mobile information kiosks to be set up in public spaces. The project comprises an architectural design and a strong communicative aspect for the Covid -19 vaccination campaign.
Conceptualized by Stefano Boeri Architetti free of charge, the integrated proposal included three elements: the first to blossom after the long winter and announces the reawakening of nature with the arrival of spring. Associating the vaccination campaign with a flower constitutes not only the form of natural biodiversity but also the symbol of the natural cycle of life and continuous rebirth.
Pavilion Design
To facilitate a swift rollout of the vaccination process, Stefano Boeri Designed the pavilion to be a prefabricated structure in timber. The circular base design with a skeleton encased in an envelope of water-resistant textile aims to have the materials completely recyclable. Besides, the pavilion is intended to be self-sufficient with a photovoltaic array of solar panels on the roof to provide enough electricity throughout the course duration.
On the interior, spaces are divided through a system of flexible textile partitions that offer the needed acoustics and transparency at the same time. It shall also separate the spaces into three public zones viz. a vaccine administration area, waiting area pre, and post-vaccination. The central core of the structure will be a hub for the required necessary services housing the storage, changing rooms, and toilets for the healthcare workers.
The pavilions are aesthetically elegant as they are practical, yet futuristic in design juxtaposition with the historic fabric of the old city. The design is notable for its lightweight, flexibility, and sound absorption features providing transparency at the same time.
Sustainable Approach…
In order to make the vaccination facility reachable and accessible comfortably to all the residents, the pavilions will be set up in community spaces or public areas like city centers and town squares known as piazzas. This will not only speed up the vaccination process but also can help spread the message effectively. Visible from above, the large imprints of the pink flowers on the roof shall link every aspect of the campaign Italy’s squares will then visually blossom with a flower”.
The circular layouts allow for easy dismantling and re-assembly of the pavilions erected in Italy’s public spaces and thus mitigate the environmental impact of the same. Stefano Boeri’s graphic flower designs will act as a logo for the country’s vaccination communication program.
The real challenge was to design pavilions in an outdoor environment, built under a time crunch along with enough security and protection. Initially, the pavilions shall be administered around 300 locations and will rise to 1500 at the peak of offering vaccinations. The sustainable approach of the deployable structures will be made from bio-degradable and recyclable textiles. It will reach a target of vaccinating 1.8 million citizens on an average by mid-January.
