Qwork Pod: A Safe and Innovative Office Solution

An Anti-Infection Hexagonal Hive for Essential Workers

The Qwork Pod is a unique and flexible office furniture design that addresses the need for a safe working environment during the ongoing pandemic. Inspired by the challenges faced by essential businesses, Radwan envisioned a solution that would protect workers while allowing them to continue their important work.

What sets the Qwork Pod apart is its anti-infection features. The hexagonal hive-like structure is made of hygiene-friendly non-porous nanomaterials, providing a protective barrier against viral infections. The pod features an automatic handle-less airtight acrylic door, controlled by facial recognition, ensuring a touchless entry and exit experience. Inside, ventilation fans with built-in air purifiers maintain a clean and fresh environment.

The Qwork Pod's construction is equally impressive. The solid body is made of a polymethyl methacrylate and natural mineral aluminum hydroxide composite, known for its improved thermoplastic moldability and hygienic properties. The outer body is coated with a nano-based antiviral antibacterial coating or graphene oxide (GO) sheets with silver particles, further preventing the transmission of diseases between high-touch surfaces.

Measuring 250 cm (W) by 220 cm (L) by 250 cm (H), the Qwork Pod offers flexibility and can be customized to fit any office layout. It is equipped with an automatic handle-less airtight acrylic door, controlled by facial recognition, ensuring a seamless and secure experience for the user. Ventilation fans with built-in HEPA filters maintain a clean and healthy environment inside the pod.

The Qwork Pod's interaction is simple and user-friendly. As the pod owner approaches, it detects their face and automatically operates, opening the door, activating the fans and filters, and turning on the light. The door shuts automatically upon entry, and the pod remains operational for the duration of the work time. When the user leaves, the pod shuts down and remains closed until their return.

The Qwork Pod project started in March 2020 and was completed in April 2020 in Cairo. Extensive research was conducted on the methods of COVID-19 infection, relying on trusted medical sources such as the World Health Organization. The design team also explored antiviral coatings that could prevent pandemics like COVID-19.

This groundbreaking design has been recognized with the prestigious Bronze A' Design Award in the Office Furniture Design category in 2021. The Qwork Pod showcases the ingenuity and resourcefulness of its designer, Mohamed Mostafa Radwan, who incorporated best practices in art, science, design, and technology to create a solution that improves the quality of life for essential workers.