Unlocking the Power of Architecture for Health: Designing for Wellness
Zen Room design by Biofit for Fusion Students UK
Introduction to Healthcare Architecture
As discussed in Biofilico Founder Matt Aspiotis Morley’s 2024 TEDx talk, the design of our built environment plays a pivotal role in shaping our well-being. Healthcare architecture, in particular, stands at the forefront of this movement, significantly impacting the quality of life for individuals and communities alike.
Healthcare architecture can enhance human well-being by creating environments that support social connections, encourage physical activity, promote mindfulness, and facilitate learning and altruistic behaviors. Addressing rising mental health problems requires a holistic approach to health and well-being, integrating physical, social, and psychological factors.
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.” This holistic perspective highlights the importance of creating spaces that support all aspects of human (and we would argue also planetary) health.
The increasing wealth of medical research related to physical and mental health can be leveraged to inform the work we do in designing healthcare facilities and their interiors. Surely these spaces need to be doing everything possible to ensure the wellbeing of their visitors?
Architects and interior designers (like us) are uniquely positioned to influence this through innovative design that goes beyond mere aesthetics to actively promoting healthier lifestyles and habits.
By integrating elements of choice architecture for example, designers can subtly guide users towards healthier behaviors and create environments that not only heal but also enhance well-being.
Designing for Wellness
Patient-Centered Care and Mental Health
Patient-centered care is the cornerstone of effective healthcare architecture. This approach places the patient’s needs, comfort, and overall well-being at the core of design decisions.
By focusing on creating spaces that elevate the healing process and promote health-supporting human behaviours, architects can amplify the therapeutic impact of the built environment.
Key elements of patient-centered care in architecture include:
Spacious Rooms: Providing ample space reduces stress and enhances comfort.
Natural Light: Exposure to daylight can improve mood and accelerate recovery.
Private Bed Spaces: Ensuring privacy helps maintain dignity and peace of mind for patients.
Such designs ensure that healthcare spaces not only facilitate medical treatment but also contribute positively to the overall healing process.
Biofit gym interior design using biophilia in hanging plants, cork flooring, natural wood wall finishes, circadian lighting
Healthy Environments
Creating a healthy environment within healthcare facilities can go beyond these basics however, for example by providing environments addressing factors such as noise, air quality, and light quality.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design integrates natural elements into the built environment, fostering a connection between people and nature. This approach can be achieved through:
Indoor Plants: An abundance of plants will improve indoor air quality by filtering toxins and also provide a calming effect, leaving us with a sense of vitality and nature-connection
Natural Views: Windows and skylights that offer views of nature can reduce stress and enhance well-being as well as feelings of positivity.
Green Spaces: Incorporating gardens and outdoor areas within healthcare settings can encourage physical activity for those able to move around or simple provide therapeutic, calming benefits of being close to nature.
Biophilic design elements are known to improve occupant health, happiness, and productivity, making them invaluable in healthcare settings.
Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation
Poor indoor air quality can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, infections, and headaches. Poor indoor environmental quality, due to inadequate ventilation, can significantly impact certain population sectors. Ensuring good ventilation is therefore crucial in healthcare environments to:
Remove Pollutants: Effective ventilation systems help to eliminate indoor pollutants and allergens.
Control Moisture: Preventing moisture build-up reduces the risk of mold and mildew, which can exacerbate respiratory conditions.
Maintain Comfort: Proper ventilation helps regulate temperature and humidity levels, contributing to overall comfort.
Innovative ventilation solutions, combined with air purification technologies, can significantly enhance the air quality and health outcomes in healthcare facilities.
Thermal Comfort, Noise Reduction, and Biological and Physiological Symptoms
Maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and minimizing noise are essential key physical design characteristics for creating a healing environment. Key strategies include:
Temperature Control: Designing for a consistent temperature range of 18-24°C helps ensure thermal comfort.
Insulation and Glazing: Using advanced insulation and glazing technologies, such as solar control glass and triple glazing, can stabilize temperatures and reduce external noise.
Acoustic Treatments: Sound-absorbing materials and thoughtful layout planning can mitigate noise pollution, creating a more serene environment.
These elements contribute to a comfortable and tranquil setting, crucial for patient recovery and staff efficiency.
Infection Control and Operational Efficiency
Infection control is a critical aspect of healthcare architecture, aimed at preventing the spread of diseases within healthcare facilities and addressing physical ill health. Key architectural strategies include:
Non-Porous Surfaces: Utilizing materials that are easy to clean and disinfect reduces the risk of contamination.
Hands-Free Fixtures: Installing automated doors, faucets, and dispensers minimizes contact points where germs can spread.
Isolation Areas: Designated spaces for isolation help contain infections and protect vulnerable populations.
By integrating these strategies into the design, healthcare facilities can maintain high standards of hygiene and safety.
Streamlined Healthcare Delivery
Operational efficiency in healthcare settings ensures that facilities can provide timely and effective care. This is achieved through:
Optimized Layouts: Designing clear pathways and strategically placing departments close to each other reduce patient movement and staff travel time.
Advanced Technology: Incorporating digital systems for patient management and communication streamlines operations and improves care coordination.
Flexible Spaces: Creating adaptable spaces that can quickly convert to meet varying needs enhances responsiveness and utilization.
These design principles support the smooth operation of healthcare services, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes. Additionally, income and education level can impact the effectiveness of healthcare delivery, as they influence health outcomes and access to care.
Encouraging Active Lifestyles and Health Supporting Human Behaviours
Promoting physical activity within healthcare environments can play a significant role in preventing chronic conditions and supporting overall health.
Encouraging active lifestyles not only helps in disease prevention but also offers numerous health benefits, including improved physical and mental well-being. Architectural strategies to encourage activity include:
Accessible Fitness Facilities: Providing gyms, walking paths, and exercise areas within healthcare complexes encourages patients and staff to stay active.
Staircase Design: Prominently placed and inviting staircases can motivate individuals to choose stairs over elevators.
Outdoor Spaces: Incorporating gardens, walking trails, and outdoor seating areas promotes physical activity and offers a respite from clinical settings.
Fostering Connections, Community, and Urban Health Resources
Social connections and a sense of community are vital for positive mental health. Healthcare architecture can support this through:
Public Spaces: Creating inviting communal areas where patients, visitors, and staff can interact and relax.
Comfortable Waiting Areas: Designing waiting rooms with comfortable seating, natural light, and engaging surroundings can reduce anxiety and enhance the patient experience.
Community Integration: Locating healthcare facilities within easy reach of community amenities fosters a seamless integration with the surrounding area.
Such designs not only enhance the patient experience but also contribute to a supportive and connected community.
lounge area with pool table and biophilic design by Biofilico for Carnegie Mellon University Qatar
How does the WELL Building Standard impact physical and mental health?
The WELL Healthy Building Standard is an evidence-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring the performance of building features that impact human health and well-being.
It integrates specific strategies across various domains to positively affect both physical and mental health. Here’s how some of these strategies foster a healthier environment:
1. Air Quality
Ventilation and Filtration: WELL standards emphasize optimal ventilation and advanced filtration systems to reduce indoor air pollutants. Improved air quality decreases respiratory issues and lowers the risk of allergies and asthma.
Low-Emission Materials: Using materials that emit minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reduces the presence of harmful chemicals in the air, minimizing headaches, eye irritation, and long-term chronic conditions.
Impact on Mental Health:
Clean and Fresh Air: Good air quality promotes cognitive function and enhances mood, leading to a more productive and comfortable environment for occupants.
2. Water Quality
Filtration and Treatment: Ensuring access to clean, safe drinking water by employing rigorous filtration and treatment methods helps prevent waterborne diseases and supports overall hydration, crucial for bodily functions and performance.
Impact on Mental Health:
Availability of Hydration Stations: Readily accessible water stations encourage regular hydration, which is linked to better concentration and mental clarity.
3. Nourishment
Healthy Food Access: The WELL standard promotes the availability of nutritious food options, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This helps prevent obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related health issues.
Labeling and Portion Control: Guidance on food labeling and portion sizes supports informed eating choices and prevents overeating.
Impact on Mental Health:
Healthy Eating Environment: Creating spaces that encourage mindful eating and reducing the presence of junk food can help alleviate stress and improve overall mental well-being.
4. Lighting
Circadian Lighting Design: WELL emphasizes lighting that supports our natural daily rhythm in order not to distrupt sleep patterns and promote deep rest at night.
recharge room design by Biofilico for Carnegie Mellon University Qatar
Recharge Rooms in Healthcare Buildings
Recharge rooms are dedicated spaces designed within healthcare environments to provide a calming retreat for staff, patients, and visitors. These rooms are carefully crafted to offer a respite from the high-stress, high-pressure atmosphere typical of healthcare settings.
Their primary aim is to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support the overall well-being of those who use them.
Here are a few of their key characteristics and benefits:
Soothing Color Palette: Soft, muted colors that are visually calming.
Natural Elements: Use of biophilic design elements like plants, natural materials, and imagery of nature.
Comfortable Seating: Ergonomic furniture that supports relaxation and reduces physical stress.
Controlled Lighting: Adjustable lighting to simulate natural light cycles or provide dim, relaxing illumination.
Soundscapes: Incorporation of calming sounds such as nature noises or gentle music.
Aromatherapy: Diffusion of calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus to enhance relaxation.
Technology Integration:
Digital Mindfulness Tools: Access to guided meditation apps, virtual nature scenes, or relaxing visual projections.
Noise Cancellation: Soundproofing or white noise systems to create a peaceful environment.
Privacy and Quiet:
Soundproofing: Design that minimizes external noise.
Private Spaces: Areas where individuals can retreat for solitude or quiet reflection without disturbances.
Enhanced Sleep Quality:
Promoting Restorative Rest: Exposure to calming, low-stimulus environments can improve sleep patterns, particularly for healthcare staff who often work irregular shifts.
Mental Health Benefits
Reduced Anxiety and Depression: Regular use of recharge rooms can decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression by providing a safe space to decompress and reflect.
Enhanced Mood: The combination of soothing sensory experiences can elevate mood and increase feelings of well-being.
Cognitive Restoration:
Mental Clarity: Breaks in a tranquil environment improve mental clarity and focus, crucial for healthcare staff making critical decisions.
Reduced Burnout: Recharge rooms help prevent burnout by providing necessary mental breaks, allowing healthcare workers to return to their duties refreshed and rejuvenated.
Enhanced Social Connections:
Shared Spaces for Interaction: While designed for individual retreat, recharge rooms can also serve as a quiet place for small, intimate interactions, fostering a sense of community and support among staff and patients.
Practical Applications in Healthcare Settings:
Staff Well-being: a safe place to de-compress, take a time out or even a power nap when needed
Break Room Alternatives: Recharge rooms serve as an alternative to traditional break rooms, offering a quieter and more restorative environment for healthcare staff.
Shift Transition Zones: Ideal for use before and after shifts to help staff mentally prepare or decompress.
Patient Support:
Pre- and Post-Treatment Areas: Patients can use recharge rooms before or after treatments to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
Family and Visitor Retreats: Spaces for family members and visitors to find respite and gather their thoughts, reducing the stress of supporting a loved one in a healthcare setting.
Recharge rooms in healthcare buildings play a crucial role in fostering physical and mental well-being for all occupants. By providing a sanctuary from the demands of the healthcare environment, these spaces contribute to a healthier, more balanced approach to patient care and staff support.
Investing in the design and integration of recharge rooms reflects a commitment to holistic health, recognizing the profound impact of the built environment on overall wellness.
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Conclusion
Architecture has a profound impact on our health and well-being. By thoughtfully designing healthcare environments with elements that prioritize physical and mental health, architects can create spaces that are not only functional but also therapeutic.
Addressing rising mental health problems through thoughtful architectural design is crucial for a holistic approach to health and well-being.
At Biofilico, we specialize in wellness-focused architectural solutions that enhance health and happiness. From integrating biophilic design to ensuring operational efficiency and comfort, our expertise can help you transform your healthcare facility into a space that truly promotes well-being.
Speak to our expert team today to learn how we can help you unlock the power of architecture for health.