HEALING HOSPITAL

• a culture of
loving care

• a healing
physical
environment

• an integrated
work design and
technology
Aspects of Healing
Environment

Building Non-building

Single patient Ergonomics

& Furniture Access to
rooms landscape Natural daylight
Arrangement

Positive
Air Quality distraction
Windows through the use Wayfinding
of aesthetics

Building Layout
Floor materials Noise control
and Zonings
Aspects of Healing
Environment

Patient’s privacy – improved care

Single patient Reduction in the risk of cross infection

rooms

Greater flexibility in operation

 Patient and Family Spaces
Recent trends in healthcare settings for
patient rooms are the creation of homelike
settings. Important patient essentials are the
inclusion of family, comfort and privacy. In
addition, patients should feel connected to the
outside world and have a sense of control.
The following concepts provide some tools for
designing the patient room.

 Light ceilings
 Nature inspired artwork
PT. GRS  Windows w/scenic views
 Single bed rooms
 Same handed rooms
 Family spaces
 Guest sleeping accommodations
 Desk and locked storage
 Convenient work surfaces for staff
 Linen and supply storage

New Sebasticook Valley Hospital inpatient expansion nearly complete

Aspects of Healing
Environment

Bringing home to the hospital

Ergonomics
& Furniture More comfortable and relaxed
Arrangement
Familiar environment
Bringing Home to the Hospital

This inpatient oncology room at

Holy Cross Hospital in Silver
Spring, Maryland, designed by
SmithGroupJJR, simulates a
home atmosphere.

The growing trend of creating healthcare

environments that make not only the patient,
but also their loved ones feel like they can
relax and maybe even forget that they’re at
the hospital. It is proven that if someone feels
comfortable and relaxed, they can rest easier
and heal faster.
MOOD IMAGE
C O R R I D O R A N D WA I T I N G A R EA

AMBIENCE

ACCENT

CHILDREN CORNER
FURNITURE

GLOBAL RANCANG SELARAS

Aspects of Healing
Environment

Medical air quality

Air Quality Air conditioning

Natural ventilating
Aspects of Healing
Environment

View

Air Quality
Windows Daylight

Natural ventilating
Aspects of Healing
Environment

Controls the physical development

Building Layout
Air Quality Separates public and patient area
and Zonings

Functional efficiency, safety

Aspects of Healing
Environment

Aesthetics

Air Quality
Floor materials Safety

Long-term performance
Aspects of Healing
Environment

Additional insulation – calm environment

Air Quality
Noise control Absorbing materials

Machinery and delivery carts w/rubber

wheels
Aspects of Healing
Environment

Building Non-building

Single patient Ergonomics

& Furniture Access to
rooms landscape Natural daylight
Arrangement

Positive
Air Quality distraction
Windows through the use Wayfinding
of aesthetics

Building Layout
Floor materials Noise control
and Zonings
Aspects of Healing
Environment

More relaxed and comfortable

Access
Air to
Quality Medical rehabilitation
landscape

Welcoming ambience
Access to Landscape

Ninety-five percent of all

individuals who are asked how
to alleviate a stressful situation
respond that they are most
comforted and soothed by
being outdoors
Herzog & de Meuron / New North Zealand Hospital

The exploration of the biologically based

bond between humans and nature is
especially important in environments where
medical technology and products seem to
be an antithesis to nature. To reduce stress
and pain and to replenish the human
condition, design professionals are learning
to add strong references to nature in
healthcare environments.

Gødstrup Hospital - Nordic

Access to Landscape

Healing gardens offer a way to

blur the lines between indoors
and outdoors.

Roof gardens are providing

more ways to access nature as
well as changing the views
from many hospital rooms.

Herzog & de Meuron / New North Zealand Hospital

Ryan Palmer Foundation Healing

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Garden at The Children's Hospital
Access to Landscape

Designed by Albert Kahn

Associates, Inc., this patient
room in Elmhurst Memorial
Hospital demonstrates how the
use of natural colors and
materials along with views to the
outdoors can create an
enhanced atmosphere for
healing.

Researchers are also learning that emotional

responses triggered by both the use of color
and natural materials can affect physiological
responses in patients. A recent study at the
University of British Columbia demonstrated
that using wood, a natural material, in the
design of a room lowered sympathetic
nervous system activation and patient stress.
Access to Landscape

PT. GRS

PT. GRS

Mother Deborah Memorial Hospital –

Healing Garden
Access to Landscape

PT. GRS

PT. GRS

Mother Deborah Memorial Hospital –

Roof Garden
Access to Landscape

Fatmawati Hospital – Landscape

design
Access to Landscape Green Walls - Interior

Vertical gardens has improved air quality and

acoustics, providing occupants a sense of
connection with the natural environment.
Access to Landscape Green Walls - Exterior

Green wall benefits:

-Aesthetic improvements
-Reduction of the Urban Heat Island Effect
-Improved air exterior quality
-Improved air indoor quality
-Noise reduction
-Urban agriculture
-Onsite waste water treatment
-Improved health and well-being
Access to Landscape Green Roofs

obtain additional green space when space is limited

with green roofs.
Access to Landscape Solaris, Singapore

The continuity of the landscaping is a key component of

the project’s ecological design concept: it allows for fluid
connectivity of selected flora and fauna between all
vegetated areas within the building, enhancing the
locality's biodiversity and overall health of the habitats .
Aspects of Healing
Environment

Improve patient and staff well-being

Air Quality
Natural daylight Patient healing – stress reduction

Saves energy
Aspects of Healing
Environment

Fresh atmosphere
Positive
distraction
Air Quality Welcoming ambience
through the use
of aesthetics
Bringing nature indoors
Aspects of Healing
Environment

Reduction of stress and frustration for the visitor

Air Quality
Wayfinding Functional efficiency, safety

Patient empowerment, improving cognitive skills

in spatial understanding
Improving the hospital
environment*
*Based on EBD theories

Public Spaces Pediatrics

Maternity, NICU,
Surgical areas
and Nurseries

The five senses

Staff areas
and healing
 Public Spaces
To provide visual clarity and to enhance the
healing process for patients, to improve the
environment for caregivers and to enhance
the working atmosphere for staff the following
design recommendations are based on
current color and EBD theories:

This colorful, daylit waiting area at Banner Health Clinic in Maricopa, Arizona, is Public Spaces
designed by SmithGroupJJR using evidence-based design principles to help
provide an atmosphere of comfort.
 Create a unique atmosphere
 Provide an oasis from the real world
 Use a distinctive color palette
 Provide access to nature
Nature-themed artwork, warm colors, natural materials and
ample lighting provide a soothing waiting area at the Banner  Select furniture that promotes social
Maricopa Health Clinic.
interaction
This brightly colored seating respite in Banner Ironwood Medical Center in San
Tan Valley, Arizona, also acts as a wayfinding accent along a main corridor.
 Create small, flexible groupings
 Enhance relative privacy
 Design to enhance the dining experience

A pleasant combination of all colors works to make this space This small-scale cafeteria designed for Banner Ironwood Medical Center
an appealing get-away for diners at the Nursing WZC De demonstrates how the use of bright colors and images of nature provide a
Regenboog, in Zwijndrecht, Belgium. diversion from a typical hospital setting.
Pediatrics
Pediatric environments offer the ability to turn
up the color creating a welcoming and fun
space. The goal is to create a positive
mindset and make children part of the
process with interactive activities and a sense
of control.

Creating a residential style that masks

medical equipment can provide a comfortable
and nonthreatening environment. Primarily
clear and light colors add brightness.
Windows and skylights can provide views of
nature.
Maternity, NICU and Nurseries
Home-centered design, art and improved
aesthetics align with the perception of
excellent care. Women in labor had an
average 2.1 hours less of delivery time and
requested fewer epidurals to block pain, when
visual art was incorporated in the room.

Delivery/birthing rooms should be soothing in

nature. Colors may range from warm,
comforting tones to those that are cooler and
relaxing. Indirect lighting, floor to ceiling
curtains, beautiful textures, art and wood
furnishings add to the sense of a residential
atmosphere.
Emergency Rooms and Treatment Areas
Barbara Huelat, AAHID, FASID, IIDA, is one of
the designers on Project ER One, a federally
funded initiative to examine the ideal
emergency room in case of mass casualties
due to a terrorist attack at the nation's capital.

In the design of this prototype, Huelat

recommends that emergency environments
need to be areas with soft and muted palettes
based on nature. The focus of good design is
to achieve safety, comfort and speed.

All materials used in ER rooms should be

selected for good acoustic values and the
ability to mitigate the spread of bacteria.
Exam and consultation rooms may need to
incorporate neutral colors that will not interfere
with visual diagnosis. The addition of imagery
that conveys a nature theme supports the goal
of creating a comforting experience.
Surgical Areas
Color used in surgical areas at
the Elmhurst Memorial
Hospital, designed by Albert
Kahn Associates, Inc., provides
a calming and soothing
atmosphere for patients as well
as an inspirational and
functional work atmosphere for
staff.
Staff Areas
Due to the critical nature of observation,
labs are best supported by whites, off-
whites, tan, beige or gray tones. It is best to
add color only as an accent on furniture,
seating and with artwork.

Work stations should be visible and use

good ergonomic design. Staff lounges can
be designed as a respite from the rest of
the hospital areas incorporating bright
colors, and contemporary artwork.
THE FIVE SENSES AND HEALING
Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste: designs
and best practices that integrate all five
senses should be the goal for all healthcare
design professionals.

However, There are many physical design

elements that affect the sense of touch.
These include:

Basel Hospital •Window blinds that provide color, offer light

control, privacy and sound absorption.
•Cubicle curtains that can bring color and
pattern into the environment.
•Countertops which should be the highest
quality of solid surface materials, avoiding
crevices and delaminating that could trap
bacteria.
•Upholstery and furniture selections that can
provide a surface to use as accents of color
as well as provide different opportunities for
the sense of touch.
•Ergonomic designs will provide enhanced
safety for patients and visitors.
•Flooring alternatives that can include
linoleum, rubber and wood.
•Combined, these “touchable” surfaces work
Health Care REIT, Inc.
to improve these important environments.
THE FIVE SENSES AND HEALING
Healthcare quality surveys report patient
sleep disruption from noise as a very
common and serious complaint. The ability
of the brain to become habituated to sound
has spawned a whole web industry of
downloadable nature sounds called 'pink
noise'. Some design tools to reduce noise
include:

•Superior ceiling tiles

•Elimination of overhead paging systems
St Vincent's Hospital •Installation of quiet nurse communication
system
•Additional insulation
•Introduction of a water feature
•Provide sound equipment to Incorporate
music as therapy
•Specify sound – absorbing flooring in
patient rooms
•Machinery and delivery carts w/rubber
wheels
•Installation of carpet in corridors and public
areas

Humboldt General Hospital