This summer, the beach has become the star destination, but the evolution of COVID-19 has challenged the unwritten rules governing our particular “colonization” of the sand. To confront this new reality, the architects’ collective JAJAxD presents “Unconfined Beach,” a proposal that seeks to make coexistence with the virus compatible with the pleasure of bathing.

The solution is as simple as it is ingenious: a kit called “Beachbealt” that would be integrated into the usual beach gear, alongside buckets, loungers and umbrellas. The device consists of warning tape that, when unrolled and supported by a series of wooden stakes, makes it possible to clearly and visibly define a safety perimeter. This space, with dimensions that vary according to the chosen tape length, creates an individual or family environment that helps maintain interpersonal distance from other beachgoers.

Beyond its practical function, “Beachbealt” acts as a constant reminder, similar to the face mask, that safety protocols must also extend to our beach rituals. With a playful and participatory approach, the proposal respects the tactical rules that each year lead us to renew our “base camp” on the sand, offering a new tool with which to face the summer season with greater safety and collective awareness. The project, signed by Juana Sánchez, Álvaro Carrillo, Joaquin Perailes, Aitor Frias and Diego Jiménez, invites us to rethink the occupation of public space in new times.