The Working Group on Innovation and Design in Materials, Furniture and Spaces Post COVID-19 is an initiative of the General Secretariat for Innovation of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities in conjunction with various specialised technological centres, including the Technological Centre for Furniture and Wood of the Region of Murcia (CETEM), the Metalworking, Furniture, Wood, Packaging and Related Technological Institute (AIDIMME), and designers of services, strategies, products and spaces of the "Public Administration and Design Working Group". These stakeholders have joined forces to analyse the behaviour of materials (wood, metal, plastic, etc.) and furniture in response to the coronavirus pandemic and our reactions to our immediate surroundings.
This collaboration resulted in the publication on 22 May of "Eight Keys to Open with More Peace of Mind. Advice on How to Adapt Furniture, Equipment, Spaces and Customer Service for Shops, Educational Centres, Offices and Other Communities and Public Buildings to COVID-19". The guide, which starts with the recommendation to become familiar with the specific rules of each sector, contains a set of guidelines for complying with the rules while ensuring the safety and confidence of staff and the public.
Study carried out for the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities by: César Astudillo, Manuel Carrillo (AIDIMME) and Jesús Sanz (CETEM), with the collaboration of Gelo Álvarez, Javier Fernández, Mariano Sardente, Samuel López-Lago, Susana Sancho and Vicente Porres.
As a continuation of this first step, suggestions have been put forward to exploit existing resources, and challenges, initiatives and lines of research have been identified with the ultimate aim of generating sufficient trust in users and improving their quality of life. The document "Challenges and Solutions for Furniture, Furniture Materials and Spaces in the Fight Against COVID-19" was published on 6 July. This study will be progressively expanded to incorporate new technological developments. This document is aimed at business organisations, companies with R&D&I departments, technological and scientific startups, interior design, furniture and architecture professionals (contract and hospitality), schools and universities, including teaching staff, among others.
AIDIMME has been represented by: Manuel Carrillo (coordinator), Mariano Pérez (director), PhDs Manuel Belanche, Rosa Mª Pérez and Amable Juárez, together with other PhDs and R&D staff and the technical and support team. Also noteworthy is the information provided by other technological institutes integrated in REDIT (Technology Institute Network of the Valencian Community) and FEDIT (Spanish Federation of Technological Centers), such as ITC (Ceramics Technology Institute), INESCOP (Footwear Technology Centre) and AIMPLAS (Technological Institute of Plastics), as well as various companies (many associated with AIDIMME) and the participation of Pilar Robledo from the Andalusian Knowledge Agency.
CETEM has been represented by: Jesús Manuel Sanz (coordinator), José Francisco Puche (director), PhDs Josefina Garrido and Virtudes Navarro, and technologists Sergio García, Carlos Gonzalez, María Sánchez and Guadalupe Santa.
The Public Administrations and Design Working Group has been represented by: Mariano Sarmiento (coordinator), César Astudillo, Gelo Álvarez, Javier Fernández, Samuel López-Lago, Susana Sancho and Vicente Porres.
