How to separate spaces, what colors evoke peace, what are the ingredients that help maintain hygiene and how to create a holiday atmosphere despite the situation?
Connection between interior spaces and balcony
Photo:
Goli Cohen
Throughout history our approach to the built environment has changed whenever an epidemic has broken out, due to the desire to reduce the risk of infectious diseases.
If we look at a typical house today, we will see evidence of how designers and architects responded to epidemics by redesigning the physical spaces.
The biggest change came to the bathroom.
In the past they were luxurious rooms with heavy curtains and carpets from floor to floor, until the sanitary movement in the mid-19th century.
Following the outbreak of the cholera epidemic in London, public health and home design became increasingly important.
Some furniture was perceived as bactericidal, so materials with smooth, impermeable surfaces (like tiles) became the norm.
White subway tiles became popular in many commercial places at that time.
White tiles have been installed so that workers can immediately locate any dirt and wipe it off easily.
Today the same classic white tile is used by designers in kitchens and bathrooms in homes and hotels.
The designers adopted new ideas for treating diseases.
In the 1920s and 1930s, sanatoriums (places to treat tuberculosis) began to be built, according to the philosophy that sunlight and fresh air would help patients.
This created modern spaces with lots of windows, balconies, bright white paint and surfaces that would not collect dust.
These design principles have been transferred to residential design (Richard Neutra's Wall House) and remain popular in modern design today.
Separation of areas by furniture in different shades and materials // Photo: Goli Cohen
I continue to adopt these basic approaches and maintain the principles of material and color, which allow for comfort while maintaining hygiene and yet create an aesthetic experience that inspires comfort.
These principles are beautiful for any space where people are - work spaces, living areas, houses, private apartments and apartments in sheltered housing.
Separation of spaces
During the epidemic period and especially in closure we are forced to place a distance between each other, separating us from the outside world, to prevent the spread of the virus.
Separate space and rooms designed for different activities, giving the family breathing space, will become increasingly important in home design.
We convert areas and rooms quickly, such as home offices, work and creative corners, which emphasizes the importance of each separate space.
Already now and in the future we will plan and design homes with several areas for work - offices, libraries, study and creative areas.
Variable space is perhaps the most relevant concept.
We can invent living spaces that can, in the blink of an eye, move furniture, partition or even change the lighting, become areas for activities and entertainment, such as a home gym, media / audio room and games rooms.
All of these are necessary to make time for everyone.
Work area in the living room space // Photo: Goli Cohen
During this plague we found ourselves with a lot of free time, so whether it was a family game or a training, the need for division into spaces increased, and not necessarily separate rooms.
After all, isolation exists, there is no need to maximize it.
We can set an area with a nice background (bookcases, artwork) and good lighting for zoom meetings.
Soothing colors
Epidemics, understandably, create a feeling of restlessness, sorrow and anxiety.
The person longs for colors that instill a sense of security and comfort.
A tenant will strive to feel these feelings in his home, so we would like to bring the color to the doorstep of the home.
You can give shades in the walls, textiles and furniture, which will simulate a feeling of being outside, in space, in nature.
These are shades that promote inner peace, in an age where mental and physical well-being are critical.
Reading area in the bedroom with the option of using a laptop // Photo: Goli Cohen
One of the current trends in the world is the use of plant-inspired shades, named after them and even containing the sense of smell: sage, mint, cherry and more.
In the past, the range of shades was more similar to pastel ice cream flavors.
Hygienic materials
Non-porous materials can be recommended, are easy to clean and reduce the likelihood of infection, but the right and safest thing to do is to follow the guidelines of health care providers.
Bathroom with comfortable surfaces for maintaining hygiene // Photo: Goli Cohen
In kitchen, dining, bathroom and even game tables it is important to use comfortable materials to maintain hygiene.
However, attention should be paid to appearance and feel.
It is desirable that the material be pleasant to the touch, not rough and durable.
Metals such as copper, brass and bronze are natural microbial substances that have essential properties for the destruction of a wide range of microorganisms.
Not only are these metals hygienic, but they are suitable for home heating.
It is worthwhile and beautiful to use these metals in faucets, door handles and cabinets and places that are often touched.
Natural colors on the holiday table add a sense of luxury and freedom // Photo: Goli Cohen
Surfaces made of quartz stone are hard, stain and scratch resistant and extremely sanitary.
Trees like bamboo, oak and cork prevent the growth of bacteria and microorganisms.
Oak flooring gives a warm, bright and soothing look, compared to the common use in recent decades of dark and luxurious wood.
Small details
The terrace is the ultimate outdoor in the days of closure.
It requires rearrangement, from comfortable, non-plastic furniture, a table the size of a meal or reading room, and even the ability to rotate the TV and computer screens out of the apartment space.
Nature enters the home thanks to the connection between the living area and the furnished balcony // Photo: Goli Cohen
Pets will get a corner both in the apartment space and on the balcony, because they are also a part of our lives.
They should be allowed their own comfort corner so that they can stay with us and alleviate the loneliness.
The kitchen has become the center of the house, the content center (cooking programs) and a status symbol, so it is important to invest in its design.
It is important to maintain aesthetics in the bathroom, as they say: "indulge, indulge".
Use of bidet - comfort and pampering on the side Possibility of maintaining daily hygiene.
It is also a saving on toilet paper, which may be missing again on the shelves on closing days.
Flowers and herbs provide an atmosphere of nature indoors, in an age where access to the open space is so lacking for us.
In collaboration with the interior architect near Tzur, interior designer at the Azrieli Group sheltered housing housing
In collaboration with Tzur, an interior architect
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