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.
