As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on all our lives, we slowly start to understand that our world, the way we live together and interact in groups is going to change not just in the immediate future. Social distancing will have a long-term impact on architecture and design of any building serving their community as a meeting place.
The focus of the Foundation is on research and educational programmes to support the next generation of architects with training and work experience. The aim is to help these students to shine in their chosen field through innovation and an emphasis on responsible, community centred designs.
As retailers around the world are facing the challenge to adapt their environments to the new requirements of their customers and business associates, The Foundation has partnered with Design International to leverage their creative expertise in food court design to identify solutions to the most pressing issue of the day: How to adapt what usually is designed to be a crowded and buzzing area to the requirements of social distancing without loosing the appeal and fun of communal dining.
“As hospitality, shopping, food and entertainment venues are gradually re-opening their doors to the public the key is to maximise the safety of the visitors while minimising the impact on the customer experience and community engagement” comments Gianluca Gerosa, President of the Foundation.
The initiative is designed to be an easily accessible design review and sketch service, delivered by a team from Design International working with mall owners to create social distancing compliant layouts for the re-configuration of the food courts within their properties. In line with the company’s corporate social responsibility and ethical values, Design International is contributing 300 free design days to this Design Planning Service program – the aim being to produce layouts for 300 Food Courts in 300 design days, matching the 300 malls that the company has completed over its 55 years of history.
“We value the strong relationships we have built with our clients during this time very much” says Davide Padoa, CEO of Design International. “This is why we feel that after enjoying so many years of shared visions and productive collaboration it is time to give something back to the industry. Our teams in London, Milan, Shanghai and Dubai stand ready to support any owner looking for support in this time of crisis.”
Food Court Remastered will be available to all mall owners on a first come – first served basis from 12 May 2020 at www.designinternational.com/giveback.
Design International is a global multi-disciplinary architectural and design practice headquartered in London with offices in Milan, Shanghai and Dubai. www.designinternational.com
Design International Foundation was created to drive innovation in architecture and design through research and education. It is based at the DI Campus in Milan.
