Open up to old ideas in fight against modern pandemic, says UniSA architecture expert

Before modern medicine could work its miracles health carers had to be more creative when fighting contagious diseases, and a UniSA expert argues we can learn they same lessons they did.

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The simplicity of 19th century architecture could hold the key to avoiding deadly virus outbreaks in the future, a UniSA researcher says.

As the state continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, doctor and architecture expert Julie Collins says open spaces, natural light and fresh air could be the best defence against disease.

A revolving shelter at Nunyara Sanitarium at Belair in around 1910. The sanitarium had two rotating shelters constructed on a circular iron track with a bed so patients could rest in the open air. Picture: National Library of Australia

During research for her new book, The Architecture and Landscape of Health: A Historical Perspective on Therapeutic Places 1790-1940, Dr Collins uncovered “freaky” similarities between past pandemics and today’s crisis.

“When you look at health crises like the tuberculosis pandemic in the 1800s, before we had pharmaceuticals and biomedicine, (building design was) one of the only ways we could prevent and counter the spread of communicable diseases,” she said.

“Some of the things that emerged from looking at these buildings was lots of ventilation and fresh air.

A room at Nunyara where tuberculosis patients were encouraged to sleep by open windows with as little clutter and dust as possible.

“Then, when we developed pharmaceuticals, these kind of magic-bullet cures, a lot of those ideas fell by the wayside, which is a pity because, as we can see now, they are still relevant to the isolation principles we’re falling back on in the absence of other effective treatments.”

Dr Collins said modern architecture had neglected proper ventilation and taking advantage of sunlight.

She said COVID-19 could mean that the layouts of busy buildings and social venues, such as coffee shops, would be re-examined.

Glenside, formerly known as Parkside Asylum was designed in 1870 making space for isolation, segregated accommodation as well as exposure to nature and fresh air.

“One of the main things that came out of research was that architects and medical professions were talking to each other (in the 19th century),” Dr Collins said.

“I found architectural plans were being published in medical journals and doctors were speaking at architectural planning conferences on a regular basis. So, there was a lot more close collaboration between the professions.

“That would be something going forward – to get architects understanding the nitty gritty of diseases, and get doctors speaking to people who are designing the buildings on what they really need to make them work.”