these mobile COVID-19 testing stations for LA can be repurposed to serve the homeless

los angeles-based studio M-Rad has envisioned mobile stations that can start conducting COVID-19 and antibody tests across los angeles in the coming weeks. the firm believes that the implementation of its portable mobile testing units could significantly help alleviate pressure on local hospitals, especially those located in the most vulnerable neighborhoods. at just under $40,000 per unit, the combination of six mobile testing units is expected to cover approximately 3,500 test per day across 18 neighborhoods.

the M-Rad-designed mobile testing units are constructed of antimicrobial copper — the most effective surface to fight against the coronavirus. approved by the U.S. environmental protection agency (EPA), copper surfaces have tested to destroy the virus in as quickly as three minutes. much like the operations at stationary testing booths that have proven to be successful in south korea, medical practitioners at the stations in LA will be taking swabs from patients using arm length rubber gloves through a perspex divider to prevent any chance of cross-contamination. 

following testing for the COVID-19 pandemic, the mobile units will be repurposed to serve the homeless population in the form of shelter, medical and cleaning facilities, remote food delivery, blood donations, or vaccine delivery. in collaboration with custom trailer manufacturing company, trailer made, M-Rad looks to produce and spread the units across los angeles in less than a month.

project info:

title: COVID-19 mobile testing unit

architect: M-Rad architecture

design team: matthew rosenberg, ben dudek, etienne serveau

fabricator: trailer made

location: los angeles, california

project type: mobile healthcare facility

estimated launch date: may 2020