RESEARCH ASPECT

Healing Architecture
Elements of healing architecture
Role of nature in the healing process
Therapeutic gardens
Spaces of social support
User influence on design

Healing Architecture:
It is best described as a design concept, which represents the vision of encouraged human well-
being and healing influenced by well-designed architectural surroundings.

The architecture itself is not considered the healing source, although factors like daylight, room
atmosphere, sound, music, art and optional privacy, altogether are believed to assist in creating
carefully designed environments that affects and supports the psychological and physical healing
of the patients.

The ideas and the intention behind the design concept of healing architecture is not a new way of
thinking, but is rather a continuation of earlier assumptions that the surrounding environment,
daylight, nature views and access, etc., had a healing effect on patients.

Evolution of Healing Architecture:

These ideas may be traced back to thoughts and ideas evolved in the 18th century. At that time,
leading doctors and nurses proposed changes in the layout and design of hospitals in order to
reduce the danger of contamination by designing smaller wards and increasing ventilation. Later
these theories are followed by Florence Nightingale, who in Notes on Hospital from 1859
published her philosophies and thoughts of the supporting effect of aesthetic environmental
settings for the patients physical and psychological condition.

How Architecture heals:

Architecture and design can promote the healing process by giving patients a psychological and
physical lift. Healthcare buildings need to actively contribute to the healing process by relaxing
and reinvigorating patients. Stress is the bodys biggest obstacle in healing, and many
contemporary hospitals inflict so much stress on patients that it actually slows down healing.

In order to fully take advantage of the bodys healing potential, environments hold the ability to
stimulate the senses and become active healers themselves. This helps minimize negative effects
of stress on the body, guiding a positive physical and psychological response which prevents the
body from weakening due to stress.
Architecture is not a treatment, but can most significantly become part of the healing process
through the creation of spaces that foster and provide meaning to those activities utilized to
achieve gradual rehabilitation through a therapeutic environment. Light, color and movement
within a residence as well as landscape and location are essential elements of this architectural
therapy. Minute details in architecture that might not affect a person with a stable mind and a
healthy body may affect a patient dealing with post-
accidental trauma.
Hejmdal
Cancer Caring Center
The general impression of Hejmdal
is dominated by Gehrys wooden
structure, which might impress a
normal person under normal
circumstances, but these sharp
lines might be a cause of stress for
patients.

Rush University Medical Center

Simple interiors with minimalistic
design elements and not too sharp
lines, preferably curved lines can
create soothing environment
instead of creating chaos.

The power of a healing environment comes from the design details that empower patients to
take responsibility for their own health

(Leibrock, 2000)