Humanising Healthcare Architecture

Abstract

Architecture and health are interconnected. Architecture has the ability to have a positive influence on health by catering to human needs and requirements, producing built environment characteristics that support such positive behaviours. In many cases, the architectural value of the hospital building leans more towards its functional value, often overshadowing the emotional values. Recently a more holistic vision of people, spaces and activities is being adopted in designing healthcare facilities. Healthcare has evolved from treating the disease to treating the person – putting the patient as ‘whole person’ at the centre of hospital design. Many specific patient-centered studies have shown, as the psychological distress which inevitably follows illness can be encountered with an environment able to support patients’ psychological needs. Hospital design adopting holistic approach to illness that treats both, the body and the soul is the goal of humanising care. This evolution of specific design culture towards the concept of healing leads architects and designers to focus on the implications of soft qualities to design high quality environments – light, inside and outside views, color effects, finishing materials, etc., all determining factors for creating welcoming, harmonious and reassuring spaces. Humanisation is a key element to building efficiency. Humanisation and comfort in building environments can actively contribute to the efficiency of the building and effectiveness of care.