The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of indoor air quality in preventing the spread of airborne transmissive diseases. Offices are some of the largest hotspots for disease transmission. To address this issue, a joint venture between FLEX/design and Euromate, called ‘X-Lair,’ aims to design an air purifier specifically targeting the reduction of airborne disease transmission.

This project focuses on developing an air purifier solution that not only effectively reduces the spread of airborne diseases but also considers user experience and implementation in office environments. While primarily designed for placement above desks, the proposed solution has the potential to be applicable in various contexts.

Extensive literature research, user tests, empirical studies, interviews, and mind- mapping techniques have been employed to explore the research domain, identify design drivers, and establish a list of requirements. An iterative design approach, including tests with smoke and computational fluid dynamic analysis, have guided key design decisions. Additional tools such as Midjourney and virtual reality have facilitated the elaboration and visualization of ideas in their intended environment.

The final design proposal of the Personal Air Filter features a suspended configuration above desks, providing a large capture area to effectively filter the user’s breath. Plume propagation is considered by locating the air intake at the edge of the hood. An integrated lamp ensures comfortable ambient lighting, enhancing the device’s aesthetic appeal in office settings and improving employee well-being. A user interface, including a smartphone application, allows for convenient control of ventilation speed and lighting intensity. Smart features like the ‘smart mode’ enable autonomous operation, while interconnectivity between multiple devices enhances overall effectiveness and reduces noise.

A functional prototype was developed to validate the device’s efficacy and user experience. Smoke tests demonstrated the Personal Air Filter’s effective smoke capture at both 100 and 200 m3/h, indicating the potential for downsizing the device without compromising its performance. Special attention should be paid, however, to ensure that the Personal Air Filter operates at an acceptable noise level below 45 dB, taking into consideration the need for a quiet and comfortable office environment. Furthermore, user tests emphasized the need for a smartphone application and adjustable height for the Personal Air Filter.

In summary, the design of the Personal Air Filter represents a significant advancement in improving indoor air quality and promoting the well-being of office employees. The Personal Air Filter has the potential to become a unique and effective solution for mitigating the spread of airborne transmissive diseases.