health healthcare healthcare architecture spaces environment healing illness atmospphere space healthcare Fig: 1 - Healthcare atmospheres have the ability to improve one’s mindset, how can we modify the existing spaces to healing environments? (Credits-Adhy Savala)

HEALTHCARE ARCHITECTURE

The existence of architecture is primarily to be at the service of humans. Architecture is experienced every day and by everyone all around the world. The design of the built environment affects us physically, mentally and also emotionally. Simultaneous engagement of senses helps us perceive the world around us, while stimulated environments not only affect our emotions and perceptions but also have an effect on how we react to them. Making architecture more than just a built space but a space that has multiple layers of experience to it.

The influence of space is higher in spaces where there is a physiological and psychological connection, such as healthcare spaces. Healthcare spaces can either boost the healing process or amplify the illness. For which there is a need to understand the relation between space and health, in order to understand the impact on the patients.

Considering the impacts of the environment on patient recovery and illness, the investigation into healthcare spaces from a psychological and physiological perspective is an immediate need.

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED

Building on the above premise, write an essay looking at realistic answers that society and architects should look at when they're designing healthcare spaces, and how their design is impacting their users.

The piece should investigate answers to the following questions; based on real-life experiences or interviews or reasoning built through research:

How have healthcare spaces to date have influenced our perception of them? And how do we see it in future?
What are the dogmas and stigmas held in our society regarding healthcare? And how can we through innovative solutions break free from them?
How can architects redefine healthcare spaces beyond their perception and make them more 'Healing Spaces'.
Do you think that healthcare spaces need to be humanised? If yes, how do you think this can be done?
How would healthcare design be influenced if sensory response was made a design parameter?
What according to you are the factors that 'humanize' a building? And why are they important?
If you had a chance to break the imageability of healthcare spaces through user-centric design what core principles would you follow?
What future steps do you think we need to take as designers, to make this change in healthcare spaces?

DELIVERALBES

Participants shall deliver an essay of about 1000 - 1500 words and less than 3 images, in a cohesive piece that answers the above questions and arguments based on them. The images need to be ensured that they are copyright-free or you own their rights.

ReHealth

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