ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN


Key elements to create a ‘home away from home’


Abigail Katovsky, Associate, and Britni Stone, Senior Associate, at NBBJ, discuss some of the most important elements when seeking to make hospital environments feel more homely, comfortable, and non- institutional, and the significant impact this can have on patient recovery.


Home is a place of residence, but what makes a ‘sense of home’ so important to us as human beings? Beyond our basic human needs such as safety and shelter, home provides a sense of comfort, personal identity, and familiarity. Home is also where we experience choice – the ability to decide when, where, and how to be; to choose materials, furniture, and lighting, that make us comfortable; to showcase our personalities with artwork and accessories; and to bake, light candles, turn on music, or open the windows to engage our senses. Within healthcare facilities, there has been a shift from design that is institutional and clinical-focused, to a more human- centred approach. Because patient experience is highly dependent upon environment, recreating the comforts and aesthetics of home can help ease patient anxieties, create a welcoming environment, and in turn enhance the overall patient experience. Here, we offer scalable ideas to make the hospital seem more like home.


Tap into the power of personal choice Personal choice is a powerful thing at a time when a person is feeling most vulnerable. The ability to make a cup of tea, adjust the temperature, or open or close the blinds, can help patients feel more comfortable in their environment. Bringing these simple conveniences from the home to a healthcare setting is a matter of integration into the patient


A community garden encourages patients, staff, and visitors alike, to engage with the landscape and community.


journey. Choice can start with the check- in process, offering patients the option to check in from home on an app, utilise a hospital digital kiosk, be met by a greeter, or visit a receptionist upon entry. Designing waiting rooms with a variety of seating options – from large seating groups for families, to private, one-off lounge chairs or outdoor seating when possible – allows patients to choose where and how they wait for their appointment. Further, utilising greenery as division of space within these waiting areas allows for smaller seating zones, and provides views


of nature, which is scientifically proven to mitigate stress.1


Including kitchenettes


so that patients can make a beverage or snack while they wait helps lessen nerves and calm anxiety, and elements like task lighting give users the ability to further modify the setting to their liking.


Smart technology Smart technology and multipurpose furniture in patient rooms provide choice by allowing patients to easily manage daily needs and feel a sense of normalcy throughout their day. For example, a


Adding tea-points and a variety of seating gives patients choice while waiting.


A digital canopy provides a social platform for patients. October 2022 Health Estate Journal 53


NBBJ / Brick Visual


NBBJ


NBBJ / Brick Visual


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