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MCDM AG.COM | M A RCH /A PR IL 2017 | Medical Construction & Design 33 Balance as a top priority Ultimately, the scientifi c meth- od focuses on the treatment as a cause/eff ect relationship, and not the consequences of the applied treatment within the overall context of the patient's well-being. In the east, balance in all things is a life-long objective and, as such, balance must take into consideration many factors that the scientifi c method would consider incon- sequential to the objective of the treatment. Balance is also at the forefront in the minds of the new generation of health- care developers/consumers and has been strengthened by the understanding that the application of healthcare must be done with a parallel under- standing of the context. Learning from the private sector The private sector can bring a unique perspective to the mar- ket, especially given its con- nection to fulfi lling consumers' needs in the retail/commer- cial realm. Understanding the desires of the population they serve, the private sector goes beyond the delivery of clinical care and addresses the preventive health concept as part of their overall strategy to provide a responsive and ho- listic healthcare system. Thus the appearance of wellness centers and health promotion centers are examples of the shift toward wellness and the preventive health concept. Wellness centers sup- port wellness initiatives and promote a healthy lifestyle. These facilities are developed to make the acute care part of the hospital more eff ective by helping patients avoid lifestyle choices that negatively aff ect their health. They will also help patients transition back into the community after a hospital stay. For a recent health pro- motion center in Hangzhou, China, CallisonRTKL's design inspired the community to really care about their health. People in China are already focused on wellness as part of their daily routine, and this center upholds this goal and brings a more culturally relevant healthcare standard to China. The design of the center has more of a contemporary feel but also fi ts in with local and cultural characteristics. The design elements fuse to focus on the patient, providing the community with a positive healthcare experience and a new standard of care. Focus on community It is important for the facil- ity to be embedded into the community, a place where people can congregate and complete some of their daily tasks, like picking up grocer- ies or medicine, as part of the overall healthcare concept. Features not normally found within a healthcare facil- ity have become essential to creating a connection with the community. As an example, an outdoor amphitheater was implemented for one com- munity, providing a source of entertainment the community could use on a daily basis out- side of healthcare services. This trend is also happen- ing in other countries such as Japan, where at Tokyo Bay Rehab Hospital a piano placed in the atrium space provides a pianist residing in the neigh- borhood a place to play, which he repays by providing a relax- ing atmosphere, as well as a pleasant distraction to those within. Creating such situa- tions allows for these types of moments to affi rm the connec- tion with the community. Many in the private sector see the designer as a partner in shap- ing their vision of place and community and will promote healthcare, not as an added amenity, but as an essential part of the community fabric. Like anywhere else, each healthcare project in China is unique and China is on the cusp of a new era for health- care that will bridge the gap between pragmatic, acute care and an overall focus on well- ness and preventive medicine. Given time, there is no doubt that the new generation of pri- vate sector healthcare clients will bring China to the fore- front of health and wellness. Beau Herr, RIBA, is senior vice presi- dent for CallisonRTKL's healthcare practice and serves as the group's re- gional business development leader for the Pacifi c Rim. Ivy Yang is an associ- ate vice president in CallisonRTKL's Dallas, Texas offi ce. From Top: This health promotion center provides a contemporary design, while staying true to local and cultural characteristics. > Chronic care services, including occupational and physical therapy for both inpatients and outpa- tients, are included within Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital. 5.4% Gross domestic product percentage of health spending in China — oecd.org 56% Percentage of health spending funded by public sources in China — oecd.org