How can nature help people who find themselves in a hospital environment?
Look to evidence-based design (EBD).
Conventionally, the design of hospitals has focused on the functional delivery of care, which is the primary role of a medical facility, but there is a lack of consideration for well-considered, evidence-based design in these settings which could be limiting the healing of its patients.
What is EBD?
EBD is a developing body of science that ties elements of the physical environment with patients, staff, and resource outcomes. These practices can help enhance patients’ well-being through the manipulation of their surroundings to better support their needs, psychologically and environmentally.
What is Healing Environment?
healing environment was defined by Jerry Smith, LEED AP, as environments that expand upon a holistic approach to healthcare through a commitment to the overall healing experience. These designs intend to foster a healthy, positive user-outcome. As with all EBD, these environments focus not only on the patient but also on staff, families, and visitors. A key player in these healing environments is the role of nature and its restorative impacts. In fact, various studies uphold a healing potential: Patients having views of nature had shorter hospital stays and took less pain medication than those given a view of a brick wall.
A major component of EBD research analyzes nature’s healing effects on our bodies in relation to the built environment, resulting in facilities designed to help improve their inhabitants’ well-being. While designers integrate nature in healing environments in various ways, healthcare design has three common EBD applications:
- Incorporation of views of nature
- Increase of daylight in interior spaces
- Presence of therapeutic gardens
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