My interest in the healing effects of spaces in people stemmed from years of working in the healthcare sector. How a space could alter someone’s behaviour, actions and emotions has always intrigued me. For over 7 years, I witnessed, first-hand, how a patient’s physical and emotional wellbeing can change according to their surroundings. Also how much this can affect their recovery time. The idea of being in confinement (this was how majority of patients called it), even if only for a short period of time, can be very stressful not just for the patient but also for their families and the staff responsible for their care. In recent years, designers began addressing these issues by looking for intelligent and cost effective ways of enhancing aesthetic elements as well as by creating more appealing spaces that seem to reduce stress and anxiety levels.  Thanks to the advances that occurred in both technology and materials designers can now veer away from the conventional healthcare designs and create more modern and minimalistic spaces. Such a change begs the question, can interior architecture aid in the rehabilitation not only of the patients but also of their families and healthcare staff? Can interior architecture improve the quality of the healthcare service and change the public’s negative opinion of it?

 

As part of my research I have gathered information, from the general public and healthcare professionals, which has helped me narrow down the principle aspects that I will be focusing on for my research there been the impact of enviromental stressors in a healthcare ennvironment and how can architectura aid with the healing process. Furthermore, I will research the possible correlation between architecture and the healthcare healing environment.