A design and renovation firm known for its work in skilled nursing and assisted living is rolling out PlexiPods, a solution for limited visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AE Design Group’s plexiglass-divided living room for families and visitors is expected to operate first in a skilled nursing facility in Brooklyn. Though the furnished room will have the appearance of one large, comfortable space, visitors can access it directly from the outdoors without entering any shared spaces within the facility.
The outer room will have its own ventilation, heating and cooling systems to forestall any viral transmission, and a mist spray will sanitize the space between each use. Furniture and accessories will also contain antimicrobial properties such as copper and UV lighting.
Voice-activated technology will enable those on either side of the barrier to converse as though seated side by side. A flexible “hug” wall is planned, as well as other specialty extras for those facilities that are looking for exciting frills, such as visual technology that allows children to draw images on a screen to share with their loved ones on the other side of the wall.
“AE’s vision for this project is infinitely customizable,” said Avigail Eisenstadt, CEO, founder and principal designer of AE Design Group. “Since every facility has a unique aesthetic, these rooms will be tailor-designed to flow with the rest of the facility. As AE is known to do, these rooms will be designed to suit their locations. For example, visiting areas in downtown Chicago will give off an urban vibe while those that are in coastal areas feel soft and beachy.”
Layouts can be designed to incorporate wheelchairs. If a facility wants several rooms the firm will create a corridor that leads from an exterior door that has access to two to three rooms. The dividing glass walls can be smoked to enable privacy between each room.
