Hospitals, like all buildings, are both shaped by people and capable of shaping occupants’ behaviours and feelings (Gieryn, 2002). They are complex places that are simultaneously physical, social and symbolic environments (Gesler et al., 2004) The architecture of hospitals is, therefore, inextricably bound up with the forms of medical theorizing and medical practice which were operant at the hour of their construction and, what is more, all subsequent modifications to hospital design can be seen as a product of alterations in medical discourse,” Prior claims.
Hence somehow it has been believed that hospital designs effect to the patients's treatment processes. However which factors are having the best positive impacts on patients and how can we maximise their contributions?
The most important ones among the hospital design in my opinion would be the calmness (external and internal) and protecting Hosp. environment from external dust
It can be an approach; Bring some examples to show which hospital designed in a sustainable way first, then look into the patients cured in such pleases and their behavioral reactions after the fact to get your answer.
This is a broad question and lots of studies have been done in the field of 'environmental psychology' and the results were published in relevant journals(Environmental psychology, environment and behavior also in architectural journals. factors like having access to green spaces or having a view to an open green space are effective in treatment. So I recommend to look for these. Also in case of hospitals you may find good sources by adding a key word of 'science-based design' or 'human-based design' to your search. hope it is helpful.
Thank you for your response Ramana. I tatally agree with you "calmness environment" in hospital is a crucial element which architects should aware when designing. And I believe thats why colour is paid attention as well as trees are encouraged to be in hospital spaces. What else would you suggest in order to improve the calmness in such as those spaces?
Thats a great suggestion Mehdi Zahed. Thanks you a lot for that. I agree that quantitative is a helpful method in this case in order to figure out the result. I am searching for some good examples of hospital buildings to approach, do you have any recommendations? Simultaneously, I am considering to combine quantitative and qualitative methods as there are quite a lot of relative topics have been successfully conducted.
Why not hospital be constructed at a level little higher to land.
In my opinion there are two big matters concerning the question:
1. Sustainability for the so called hospital design which is supposed to be considered as a cradle to grave design, including using non hazardous building materials.
2. Sustainability for the patients' life themselves, it means the patients should be freed from any disturbance in regard with hospital design i.e. a very clear plan and way finding and a very easy maintenance and repaired hospital design.
Hope this help ...
The approach to a better Hospital Design should be transdisciplinar. When we have go to a Hospital, generally its not a cheerful occasion, whether you´re a patient or when you are visiting someone. Hospitals should receive those people in a calm, efficient and professional way but not forgetting they are in a very fragile situation, demanding personal warmth and human comfort. And the way we build these spaces must convey these goals. Being a Colour Consultant and an Architect I know that the built environment produces an overwhelming effect on people, and in this particular case, in patient comfort and recovering time. Lighting is another aspect that has a huge role in the comfort of these spaces. Many times, for instance, we forget that patients are lying down facing the ceiling and therefore we must not have lights in those surfaces in order to provide comfort to their fragile eyes.
Thanks you so much for your suggestions Vanita. I believe materials and well designed functions are two of the most important factors that impacts on patients experiences.
_Material not only contribute to the levels of thermal comfort, it also a soundproof in order to provide a quite spaces for patients.
_Way finding and maintainance are absolute worth to be paid attention when designing a hospital.
Thank you so much for pointing out those important aspects when approaching to a hospital designs João Pernão. I totally agree that colour and lighting are crucial factors that significantly effect to patient's treatment processes. Appropriate designed colour will positively impact on patients experiences and vice versa. There are also great suggestions when you mentioned about the feeling of those who come to hospital as well as ceiling should be paid more attention as it is being faced hours by lying patients.
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