Medical Construction & Design

MAY-JUN 2017

Medical Construction & Design (MCD) is the industry's leading source for news and information and reaches all disciplines involved in the healthcare construction and design process.

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48 Medical Construction & Design | M AY/ J U N E 2017 | MCDM AG.COM forms, such as botanical and animal motifs and other natu- ral feature simulations. Many biophilic healthcare designs reference natural analogues through shapes, forms, pat- terns, colors and materials that mimic natural elements and avoid harsh straight lines. Artwork, glass, furnishings, resin panels and textile designs soften interiors to instill calm and comfort. Banner Health engages local artists and art vendors to create nature-in- spired and culturally respon- sive art installations in its acute and ambulatory care facilities. Light and space Lighting design and fi xture selection should address func- tional requirements of clinical and patient care areas, and also incorporate design elements and features that mimic ex- periences in nature. Diff erent combinations of soft pools of light, warm light, light as shape and interest, light for harmony and light and shadows provide a calming eff ect for patients, families and caregivers. Other considerations include appropriate melanomic lux, color rendering index lev- els and the color temperature of daylight, which all con- tribute to making healthcare environments more conducive to wellness. Today's healthcare projects are beginning to incor- porate lighting products that automatically adjust to mimic day/night light cycles. Place-based relationships Evidence shows that by con- necting to place, people experi- ence a greater sense of belong- ing and community, which leads to increased happiness and satisfaction. By engaging local artists to create meaning- ful designs that integrate ma- terials unique to the area, the design embraces the project's history, land and community. At Banner Page Hospital, a Planetree-designated hospi- tal in Page, Arizona, a diverse group of stakeholders col- lectively created a unique bio- philic design element inspired by a natural element repre- sentational of the Fibonacci sequence, considered a sacred and powerful symbol in the local Native American culture. The spiraling symbol became the shape that informed the physical layout of the space and served as a primary pattern for the project. The pattern was used in a variety of design features and honors the people that thrived there for centuries. Natural patterns, processes Healthcare environments have often been criticized for not engaging the senses and, in extreme cases, contributing to human sensory depriva- tion. Research related to how the body's sensory system responds to nature shows the importance of incorporating natural patterns and processes into healthcare design. Design recommendations include the change-of-time pattern, and multi-sensory experiences that encourage engagement of the non-visual senses of sound, smell, touch and taste. Consider using out- door materials that naturally age over time, incorporating operable windows that allow in the sounds of nature, or planting herbal and sensory- rich gardens for both smell and taste. Paying attention to variations in thermal airfl ow to make patients feel comfortable yet invigorated, and allowing patients and caregivers the opportunity to physically touch natural materials such as wood, rocks and textiles, all support this pattern. Evolved human- nature relationships This element includes patterns proven to promote a sense of comfort and protection through the physical design and layout of spaces. There are several patterns to con- sider, but none more important in a healthcare setting than At East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, light courts were incorporated into the design and planning of the unit, providing a connection to daylight in every interior room. They defi ne the neighborhood organizational model for the unit, making the space feel more personal and private and contributing to intuitive wayfi nding. East Tennessee: Denise Retallack; Park Avenue: Robert Benson

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