Role of Ventilation and Spatial Designs in Airborne Disease Transmission Within Residential Aged-Care Facilities
Article
Ullah, Fahim, Olatunji, Oluwole, Qayyum, Siddra and Tanveer, Rameesha. 2025. "Role of Ventilation and Spatial Designs in Airborne Disease Transmission Within Residential Aged-Care Facilities." Designs. 9 (5). https://doi.org/10.3390/designs9050110
| Article Title | Role of Ventilation and Spatial Designs in Airborne Disease Transmission Within Residential Aged-Care Facilities |
|---|---|
| ERA Journal ID | 212267 |
| Article Category | Article |
| Authors | Ullah, Fahim, Olatunji, Oluwole, Qayyum, Siddra and Tanveer, Rameesha |
| Editors | Ramírez-Gómez, Á. |
| Journal Title | Designs |
| Journal Citation | 9 (5) |
| Article Number | 110 |
| Number of Pages | 25 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG |
| Place of Publication | Switzerland |
| ISSN | 2411-9660 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/designs9050110 |
| Web Address (URL) | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/9/5/110 |
| Abstract | The global aging population, particularly those aged 60 and above, is increasingly vulnerable to communicable diseases. Building ventilation (BV) plays a key role in residential aged-care (RAC) facilities, where COVID-19 has had a significant impact. This study systematically reviews the published literature to examine the influence of BV systems (BVSs) on airborne disease (COVID-19) transmission in RACs and recommends strategies to protect vulnerable residents. Using the PRISMA framework, articles published in the last decade were sourced from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Bibliometric analyses revealed key research clusters on risk factors, transmission, facilities and services, and gender-based and retrospective studies. Australia, the USA, Africa, and the UK have made the most scholarly contributions to this field. Three main research areas emerged: BVS functionality, ventilation’s role in COVID-19 transmission, and spatial building design for effective airflow. Findings reveal that inadequate ventilation and poor indoor air quality are major contributors to disease spread, further influenced by ventilation rate, airflow, temperature, humidity, and air distribution. A hybrid ventilation design that integrates natural and mechanical systems with technologies such as HEPA filters, UVGI, and HVAC is recommended in the current study. In addition, building form and layout should incorporate spatial, engineering, administrative, and hierarchical controls in line with sustainable ventilation design guidelines. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on the roles of ventilation and design in infection control. It offers practical recommendations for architects, RAC managers, government agencies, and policymakers involved in designing and managing RACs to reduce the risk of communicable disease transmission. |
| Keywords | airborne diseases; communicable diseases; COVID-19; residential aged-care facilities; spatial design; ventilation |
| Article Publishing Charge (APC) Amount Paid | 0.0 |
| Article Publishing Charge (APC) Funding | Other |
| Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
| ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420320. Residential client care |
| 401001. Engineering design | |
| 330202. Building construction management and project planning | |
| Byline Affiliations | School of Surveying and Built Environment |
| Bond University | |
| Griffith University |
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https://research.usq.edu.au/item/100086/role-of-ventilation-and-spatial-designs-in-airborne-disease-transmission-within-residential-aged-care-facilities
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