THE PATIENT ENVIRONMENT
The new Tyks Lighthouse Hospital in Turku offers ‘a compelling demonstration of biophilia’s power in healthcare settings’. In supplying internal doorsets, Swedoor faced the challenge of visually representing each unit’s animal theme, while adhering to the stringent standards set for hospital doors.
than just an irritant, but can have a detrimental effect on recovery, particularly for patients prone to sensory overload. For private rooms, acoustic performance can be critical, so incorporating soundproofing features into their design is key.
Key considerations for modern healthcare settings Improving the clinical environment isn’t just about creating a better space for patients, but can go some way to enhancing the wellbeing of their committed caregivers too. Working in a hospital setting is both demanding and stressful. Healthcare professionals often work long, irregular hours, while coping with the daily emotional toll of patient suffering and loss. Yet, despite the gravity of the job at hand, the reality is that many healthcare buildings have failed to prioritise the creation of good and nurturing working conditions. All too often, staff have needed to contend with noisy environments, limited space, and the constant glare of artificial lighting. This could be detrimental to their wellness, increasing the risk of burnout and – consequentially, impacting their ability to provide optimal care.
Many studies have demonstrated this, with a recent
literature review finding that the aesthetic appeal of a facility contributed to higher staff satisfaction and wellbeing.3
This included higher levels of natural light,
and interior designs that had a connection to the neighbourhood and to nature. Noise was also identified as a physical design element that contributed to staff stress and fatigue. A comparative study of two ICUs found that nurses who were exposed to higher sound pressure levels exhibited significantly higher levels of annoyance.
Greater efficiency and increased staff retention As the NHS experiences substantial staffing challenges, it is essential that healthcare professionals have access to comfortable surroundings and calming spaces that promote employee wellbeing. In turn, this can not only lead to better treatment, but can also contribute towards improved staff retention and productivity, ultimately leading to greater efficiency and financial benefits. Taking these factors into account, and it’s clear why hospitals are paying greater consideration to how design elements impact both patient outcomes and staff productivity. While this may include everything from acoustics to ergonomics, here we explore three key
72 Health Estate Journal January 2025
elements to consider for good design: colour theory, biophilia, and privacy. Colour plays a crucial role in shaping our environment and impacting our mood. This has even more pertinence in healthcare settings, and has been shown to influence patient recovery and staff productivity.4
The psychology
of colour – the way in which different hues evoke specific emotions and physiological responses – suggests that brighter shades can stimulate energy, while softer, warmer palettes can induce feelings of calm and relaxation. Although white was once the go-to colour for
hospitals, colour theory is being continually leveraged to enhance the overall experience for patients, visitors, and staff. For instance, soft blues and pastel greens are often employed in therapy and operating rooms to reduce anxiety, while warmer tones of orange, yellow, and beige, may be used in common areas like hallways and waiting rooms, to create a welcoming and more comfortable atmosphere. Equally, bright and cheerful colours – from pinks and purples through to bright reds and oranges, often combined with playful patterns, murals, and themes like animals, typically feature on paediatric wards to help uplift and reduce stress in younger patients. From a functionality perspective, the strategic use of colour can be utilised in signage and wayfinding systems to help individuals navigate complex hospital layouts more easily, in turn minimising anxiety and confusion. The Kolding ‘super-hospital’ in Denmark used a unique
approach to colour in its design. Built under the principle of ‘Healing Architecture’, every aspect of its décor focused on creating an environment that fosters positivity, calmness, and comfort. Swedoor, part of the global Jeld-Wen Group, played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life through the provision of customised doorsets.
Application of colour theory This extends to the application of colour theory, taking cues from local nature. Inspired by the quiet calm of the forest, a rich shade of green brings a sense of peace into the hospital from the forecourt up to the wards. At that point, a calming blue colourway symbolises the serenity of the sky. In certain rooms and areas, a third and final golden palette affords a sense of warmth and optimism for patients and visitors. Swedoor provided a customised doorset specification
that enabled a cohesive application of colour, while meeting the hospital’s core requirements for optimum levels of hygiene and functionality. Working with the
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