Envisioning a Post-COVID World | Arturo Tedeschi’s Rendition of the Historic Milan Tram

1. ENVISIONING A POST-COVID WORLD | ARTURO TEDESCHI’S RENDITION OF THE HISTORIC MILAN TRAM The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the various aspects of life has been much discussed and debated across the globe. Now, as people are trying to restore some semblance of normalcy in their everyday lives, their biggest challenge is still about following the various precautionary guidelines to stay safe and healthy. The most important of these guidelines is undoubtedly the need to maintain adequate social distancing. However, while it is easy for people to follow social distancing norms while travelling on foot, the whole concept generally goes for a toss, when it comes to using various modes of public transportation. This is perhaps one of the biggest reasons that the restrictions imposed on public transport are yet to be lifted in many parts of the world. Creating A New Ray Of Hope The best minds at the various ​architecture colleges in India ​and across the globe are struggling to solve the problem of maintaining social distancing in means of public transport. At such a time, Italian architect, Arturo Tedeschi has provided a big ray of hope by designing a coronavirus-friendly tram concept for his home city of Milan. Milan is one of the hardest-hit cities of Italy to have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which renders even greater significance to Tedeschi’s design. With a vast majority of people in the city still sceptical about using public transport, Tedschi’s design offers discreet social distancing solutions to ensure a safe journey for the passengers. Salient Features Of The Design Given the fact that tram has been an important part of public transportation in Italy, Tedeschi’s design may help in the faster revival of this service. The innovative tram concept named Passerella is basically a modern take on the classic ATM Class 1500 tram. This tram was first introduced in the city of Milan in 1929 and the Passerella reflects Tedeschi’s attempt to reinterpret the style and proportions of the very first model, which held the number 1503. The designer, in addition to having updated the form of the tram, has also included a series of adaptations and technologies that have become a necessity for safe travel in the post-COVID-19 world. The most important of these features include interiors having pixel glass shields to separate individual passenger seats.

2. In addition, the floor of the tram has several circle-shaped markers to indicate the right place for the standing passengers to place themselves while maintaining appropriate social distancing. Moreover, the interior of the tram has been designed in the form of a fashion catwalk which is referred to as Passerella in Italian. It creates the impression of an open corridor with rows of seats lining each side. Despite sharing the most basic characteristics of the classic 1503model, Tedeshi’sPasserella has an ultra-modern and sleek look. He has surrounded the runway-style passage of the tram with premium materials including gilded, arc-shaped edgings on pixel glass dividers. These perfectly match the circle markings on the floor of the tram and the golden hue helps to clearly highlight the design against the black background of the interiors. According to Tedeschi, the tram design is inspired by Milan’s deep-rooted association with fashion, which he believes can act as an antidote in this post-COVID moment for the citizens of the city. An Inspirational Feat With people across the world still trying to come to terms with the lasting changes resulting from the pandemic, Tedeschi’s design can prove to be a great mot​ivational feat. His efforts to turn the social distancing warnings that have become so commonplace in almost every city and town across the globe, into something more friendly and stylish is likely to inspire countless students pursuing a ​Bachelor of Interior Architecture​, to develop similar awe-inspiring solutions. The design focuses on both practicality and great aesthetics while ensuring the safety of the passengers without actually giving them any scope to think about the risk presented by the pandemic. The best aspect of Tedeschi’s design is that its principles can be adapted to work for public transportation systems across the globe and can thus help solve a major commuting challenge for countless people. Adapting to new ways of living in the post-COVID world is all about giving up old habits and developing new ones. However, this transition does not necessarily have to be stressful and risky as has been proved by the unique tram design crafted by Arturo Tedeschi. Original Source: https://medium.com/ansal-university/envisioning-a-post-covid-world-arturo-tedeschis-rendition-of-the-h istoric-milan-tram-ff6556bd054e