COVID-19 Bulkhead: open-design protective screens

The project

In March 2020, we developed and produced a family of screens intended to limit direct contact in public-facing settings during the COVID-19 emergency. The project combined manufacturing with the release of design files, allowing others to download them and produce the screens.

The proposal addressed a need shared by professionals in healthcare, food retail and other essential services: introducing a physical partition at service points. The project publications identified pharmacies and supermarkets as possible settings, rather than tailoring the design to a single establishment.

Our contribution covered the design and production of two construction options in clear acrylic. One used an assembly of separate parts; the other used heat bending. Both belonged to the same screen proposal, offering two different approaches to its construction.

The graphic documentation brings together component drawings, assembly diagrams and examples of placement on counters and tables. The geometry features a rectangular panel, side supports and an opening at the bottom. The use examples position this opening where documents are passed across, with the panel remaining between the two sides of the service point.

The design was released as open and downloadable so that others could manufacture it. The project announcement also placed the production of protective equipment within a charitable initiative intended for hospitals and other healthcare centres. This intention to donate was part of the original approach, alongside sharing the files.

Drawings and diagrams accompany the two construction options: assembly from separate parts and heat bending.

The application examples explore screen placement at service points and where documents are exchanged.

Processes and materials: fabrication services · available materials · studio machinery.