Unraveling the Spatial Dimensions of Disease Outbreaks: Implications for the Future of Third Places—A Scoping Review

Abstract

Third places are vital social spaces, outside the typical workplace and living environment, that facilitate meaningful interactions and contribute to an individual’s sense of community and well-being. Nevertheless, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, safety requirements led to the closure of many third places, disrupting socialization, and limiting the positive impact these spaces typically have on people’s lives. This recent global experience highlighted the need for interior design approaches to create more adaptable third places. Through this review, we aimed to explore the evolving influence of different disease outbreaks on the design of interior spaces, focusing on third places and similar communal environments. Emphasis was on exploring interior design approaches employed to reduce transmission risks, ultimately enhancing the resilience and sustainability of these spaces. A scoping review of the literature was conducted, adhering to the framework established by Arksey and O’Malley. Using content identifiers and a detailed flowchart, we found five themes: (a) flexibility through scalability and reconfiguration; (b) fluid circulation and optimized wayfinding; (c) natural ventilation and indoor–outdoor connection; (d) infection control by material selection and design; and (e) integration of technology. By highlighting these approaches, strategies for creating sustainable, resilient, and unobstructed third places are reviewed post-pandemic to ensure social and overall well-being continuity.