MOBILE TESTING FACILITIES INSPIRED BY ORIGAMI SCIENCE

ABSTRACT

In response to the research and testing imperatives brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19), the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Public Health requires a standalone space in which to conduct its disease-related research. UMD’s School of Architecture proposed and undertook the challenge of designing a lightweight, compact, modular clinic structure based on origami science. Such origami structure could be deployed with minimal time and construction labor or expertise. Origami, an ancient art of paper folding, has evolved into a science that has inspired architectural, structural, engineering, and medical device design for decades. The underlying principles of origami design have led to broad practical applications from disaster relief shelters to foldable aerospace solar panels. This origami design provides the proof of concept for a foldable, origami-inspired, mobile clinic for use in responding to the COVID-19. This experimental design has two aims: (1) demonstrate how to use constructability and practicality as design constraints to inspire the design solution and (2) find alternative ways of using design as a tool to address social needs. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, AnnaMarie Bliss and Dak Kopec;individual chapters, the contributors.