ENVIRONMENT BUILT FOR HEALING

Abstract

ABSTRACT Title of Thesis: ENVIROMENT BUILT FOR HEALING Paul Abel, Master of Architecture, Master of Community Planning, 2024

Thesis Directed By: Professor Kelly, School of Architecture Planning and Preservation Healthcare facilities can be intimidating places. To many people these facilities represent things that they fear like pain, disease, and death. However, while they are associated with these things the connection is misplaced. These facilities contain unpleasant human experiences for the purpose of resolving them. As advancements are being made in medical technology more operations are becoming available to patients. This means more patients are being exposed to fear inducing situations than ever before. These operations are also more commonly on an Out-patient basis where an extended hospital stay is not necessary. Healthcare facilities are often large hulking central hospitals with winding labyrinthine corridors separated from the world outside. These environments can cause fear and stress in their own right, piling on to the already difficult situations of the patients and their families. The typology of out-patient medical facilities provides an opportunity to address the fear and anxiety patients experience when anticipating an operation. This thesis will explore the role of the built environment in health and how architectural design can address medical fear, anxiety, and stress. Healthcare spaces can be welcoming, nurturing, healing, spaces that people no longer fear but recognize for their role of restoration and recovery.