The design of healthcare environments can have a profound effect on patient outcomes. Throughout the years, health architecture has emerged as a vital role in the comfort of patients in each facility, presenting design decisions that promote the well-being of its users in skillful, creative ways. Architecture in healthcare addresses many different challenges to create beautiful yet functional spaces that encourage healing and contribute to provider satisfaction. How is this accomplished? Let’s explore health architecture’s impact on patient outcomes and what Think Architecture is doing to create healing environments that enhance well-being, reduce stress, and promote faster recovery.
The Connection Between Health Architecture and Patient Well-Being
While it’s easy to overlook a hospital or healthcare center’s design as you walk through, there is a delicate balance of functionality, safety, and patient wellbeing that is considered in the design of each space. This must be completed within complex regulatory frameworks, making the design process highly specialized. Decisions such as spatial layouts to material selection can directly influence operational efficiency and patient outcomes. Healthcare architects play a crucial role in shaping environments that foster healing while at the same time, meeting the stringent demands of modern healthcare, such as infection control, patient mental well-being, safety, and much more.
Harnessing Natural Light: Brightening Patient Recovery
Over the years, there has been much research on the benefit of natural light in our lives and the connection between mental health and architecture that incorporates natural light. Not only does natural light help to regulate circadian rhythms, but it also has a role in our heart function, emotional health, body temperature, and other necessary healing functions. In addition, incorporating natural light into the design reduces the length of inpatient stays by helping patients spend 41% less time in the hospital, speeds up post-operative recovery, and even contributes to more significant pain relief. Natural light also improves employee morale and productivity, with employees reporting less health-related absenteeism and lower stress levels. In using large windows, reflective surfaces, skylights, and window treatments, architects can provide designs for overall wellbeing.
A Sound Environment: Using Acoustics in Healthcare
Controlling acoustics is another challenge many hospitals and healthcare buildings face. Unfortunately, patients are often exposed to many unwanted sounds and a lack of privacy while they are in the healing process. Poor acoustics, such as high levels from equipment, alarms, foot traffic, conversations, and other unwanted sounds, can cause significant stress, hinder recovery, and disrupt sleep. Elevated noise levels increase anxiety, elevated blood pressure, and eventually–delay healing. Architects should use softer materials that absorb sound, especially in meeting areas and waiting rooms. Carpeting, curtains, ceiling tiles, and acoustic panels are effective tools for controlling acoustics and improving architecture for mental health in many healthcare facilities.
Wayfinding and Accessibility
Patients and visitors can find navigation in a hospital difficult. Luckily, wayfinding systems can help reduce confusion. This especially applies to patients who are easily anxious or disoriented. When architects incorporate more accessibility options in their designs, the experience in a healthcare facility is more smooth.
Biophilic Design in Health Care
Many studies have shown that biophilic design and architecture into healthcare settings can lead to improved stress management, less pain, positive health outcomes, and even better staff performance. Studies have shown that biophilic interventions can reduce an inpatient’s length of stay by anywhere from 4.9% to 33.3%. This reduction of patient stay not only helps healthcare centers treat more people, but it is also beneficial for the facility as a whole. Architects can incorporate finishes, colors, and textures that draw on nature to create relaxed, open spaces for visitors. Rooms can be designed with windows that face nature, such as a forest across the street or a landscaped garden.
Think Architecture: Leading the Way in Healthcare Design
With our many decades of experience, we have focused on creating environments that prioritize patient well-being through thoughtful, evidence-based design solutions. By incorporating natural light, quiet spaces, biophilic design, and improving acoustics, we understand the connection between health architecture and patient care. Contact our Utah architects to see how our commercial architecture services can help your facility today.