Iris | Deployable ICU Wards for Intubated Patients | lagos nigeria |

Responding to the Crisis

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems worldwide faced extraordinary pressure, with critical shortages of ICU beds and vital medical equipment. Lagos, Nigeria, confronted an especially severe situation, having fewer than 350 ICU beds for its population of over 200 million. Recognizing this dire urgency, a couple of friends and I who are healthcare design professionals to rapidly enhance ICU capacity through innovative, sustainable solutions, using Lagos's abundant resource—shipping containers.

Why "Iris"?

The project was named "Iris," inspired by the swift Greek goddess of the rainbow, known for her agility and ability to deliver critical messages swiftly between the gods and humankind. In mythology, Iris's rainbow symbolizes a vital connection between heaven and earth, bridging realms during times of urgency and need. Echoing the myth, our "Iris" project represented clarity, rapid communication, adaptability, and a crucial link bridging healthcare needs with immediate, practical solutions during an uncertain global health crisis.

Essential ICU Requirements & Innovative Design

The "Iris" project rigorously followed international, evidence-based standards for ICU design. We developed a comprehensive medical specification, including ICU-grade beds, ventilators, infusion pumps, vital-sign monitoring systems, and robust infection-control strategies. Special emphasis was placed on critical ventilation standards and air-quality management to safely accommodate intubated COVID-19 patients, while maintaining stringent environmental control measures to ensure both patient and staff safety.

Leveraging Sustainable, Adaptive Resources

Shipping containers, locally abundant in Lagos due to trade dynamics, were selected for their structural integrity, portability, adaptability, and sustainability. We transformed these sturdy structures into fully-equipped, functional ICU wards, optimizing interior layouts for spatial efficiency, seamless workflow, and stringent hygiene practices. The containers' inherent modularity and transportability enabled rapid deployment, scalability, and versatility, embodying our commitment to sustainability and resourceful design.

Collaborative Humanitarian Impact

This pro bono, collaborative effort highlighted the transformative power of responsive, sustainable design in humanitarian crises. By quickly and thoughtfully addressing the ICU capacity shortage, the "Iris" project not only provided immediate healthcare relief but also set a forward-thinking precedent for future rapid-response healthcare infrastructure globally.