buildair: a holistic framework to design safe built environments

BuildAir seeks to incorporate the infection risk component in building codes and design guidelines, whilst providing comprehensive tools and frameworks to make it possible. This overarching idea is motivated by the clear lack of preparedness revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding indoor spaces. The number of outbreaks of airborne respiratory diseases such as measles, tuberculosis or influenza is increasing and their human and economic impact, worldwide and in the UK, is enormous. Enhanced global disease portability opens the door to new epidemics. Yet, our level of response has not evolved significantly since 2020. Despite numerous advances in research and innovation, ventilation guidelines do not address specifically airborne transmission in the vast majority of built environments. A paradigm change is imperative; we must stop assuming that airborne spread of pathogens is unavoidable. To do that, it is necessary to collate the lessons learned from the past and turn it into practical, case-specific recommendations and tools. We have assembled a highly interdisciplinary Investigator Team composed by twenty researcher. We identified five areas where there are relevant research questions that need novel and enhanced cross-disciplinary understanding. Our vision is to co-deliver a novel holistic framework to proactively assess airborne infection risk in built spaces. This framework will bridge the gaps between modelling and monitoring risk infection whilst incorporating human behaviour and mental health considerations. We will co-develop the novel idea of using artificial intelligence and digital twins to establish effective links among these different areas. Our vision is not restricted 'a priori' to a single pathogen, a specific technological development or a particular built space. We aim to create an extendable and flexible framework that can incorporate a variety of scenarios and consider different levels of vulnerability. This framework will provide the new understanding needed to create comprehensive guidelines and protocols. The delivery of this project emphasises the engagement of the Investigator Team with end-users and stakeholders. We will analyse, expand and select the proposed research ideas with the highest transformative potential and gather the datasets and expertise that will ensure their delivery in the context of one or several inter-disciplinary programmatic awards. This team is supported by our project partners, UKSHA, Siemens, Ansys, Hertfordshire County Council and BIOREME. BuildAir has identified gaps and synergies among modelling, monitoring and human behaviour. We will develop strategies to adress those gaps and effectively design infection-free built environments. This new knowledge will generate the guidelines for the buildings of the future and the adaptation of the existing ones.