The design of hospitals is not typically a major concern for most people until they find themselves as a patient. In that vulnerable state, the physical environment of the hospital becomes more significant. The question arises - will the hospital environment add to my stress, or make me feel better? Planners do not intend to create dismal spaces, but they need to consider how the design truly impacts patients and medical staff during what may be a difficult time and ensure standards are raised to reduce stress.

1. Why hospital design matters
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big deal for most people...
The design of hospitals is not a
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…until the day they find themselves in an
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personal vulnerability...

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...the physical environment
becomes more significant

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arises:
question
...and the

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Must the environment add to my stress?
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…or could the hospital make me feel better?

9. Is it simply a matter of
budget constraints?
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imagination?
…or is it a lack of

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the medical staff
I rely on for care…
And when I think about

12. Does the
environment add to
…or reduce their
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stress?

13. Planners don’t consciously set out
to create something dismal or
mediocre.

14. But they do need to ask themselves:
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What really happens here?
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life
until the hospital comes to life…
Then raise design quality standards

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…in case life brings the hospital into your world.

17. Farrow Partnership Architects Inc.
www.farrowpartnership.com