Daily coronavirus architecture and design briefing: 14 April

Daily coronavirus briefing: today's architecture and design coronavirus briefing includes socially distanced cycle lanes, portable sanitation kits and warnings from Italy.

"Father of modern Iraqi architecture" dies from coronavirus

Architect Rifat Chadirji has passed away from coronavirus at the age of 93 in London. Chadirji designed over 100 buildings in Iraq, including the Baghdad Central Post Office and the Freedom Monument at Tahrir Square (via Middle East Eye).

Epidemiologist calls for everyone to wear a face shield 

US physician and epidemiologist Michael Edmond has claimed that face shields are more effective than masks at protecting the general public from coronavirus (via Dezeen).

Open House launches fundraiser to survive the pandemic 

The world's largest architecture festival has lost almost all of its income due to coronavirus and has started a fundraising programme asking people to become Open House Friends and donate in return for rewards (via Open House).

Italy's design brands warn of "economic catastrophe" if lockdown continues

A group of Italian companies have called on their government to ease the lockdown and allow manufacturing to restart on 14 April or risk country's economic future (via Dezeen).

Formula One ventilators idea scrapped in UK

Plans to use for new ventilators designed by Formula One to address the UK's medical equipment shortage have been cancelled after assessment shows them to be unsuitable for treating the unique symptoms of coronavirus (via Guardian).

Portable sanitation kit designed to promote public health

Chinese designer Kiran Zhu has created Handy Capsule, a portable sanitation kit complete with a disposable face mask, hand sanitiser, alcohol wipes and temperature stickers (via Dezeen).

Pratt Institute professor dead from Covid-19 at 73

Lou Goodman, who taught at the architecture department of the Pratt Institute in New York since 1979 has died at the age of 73 from coronavirus (via Harriet Harriss Twitter).

Coronavirus is both a "disaster and an opportunity" says Hella Jongerius

Dutch designer Hella Jongerius has told Dezeen that the pandemic provides an opportunity for designers to focus on finding solutions to "global problems" in a recorded animation for our Virtual Design Festival (via Dezeen).

Germany re-draws bicycle lanes to allow social distancing

Pop-up cycle lanes in Berlin have been drawn on the road to allow cyclists to use the roads while staying 1.5 metres away from each other (via The Guardian).

Artists create Zoom meeting backgrounds for remote workers

Meeting Masterpieces is a new site set up by New York consultancy Co:collective where users can download original backgrounds for their Zoom meetings and donate to an artist or charity (via Meeting Masterpieces).

Bar Basso launches fundraiser for Milan homeless shelter

Bar Basso, the go-to location for thirsty visitors during Milan's Salone del Mobile (cancelled this year due to coronavirus), has launched a fundraising campaign asking designers to donate the price of a drink to Opera San Francesco, a homeless shelter in the city that provides 200 hot meals a day and a free clinic for those experiencing poverty (via GoFundMe).

Woods Bagot designs adaptable apartment for coronavirus

Architecture firm Woods Bagot has designed an apartment with adjustable walls for people spending more time at home during the coronavirus lockdown (via Dezeen).

Keep up with developments by following Dezeen's coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. For news of impacted events, check Dezeen Events Guide's dedicated coronavirus page.

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