Healing Architecture – Part II

Text: Christina Noli

«You have to start in the strategy phase. This is followed by a comprehensive needs and needs analysis in order to set the course for a successful environment for all participants at this early stage - but primarily for the patient. Residents: inside - to create», knows Bettina Atzgerstorfer, MAS work and organizational psychologist, interior designer and head of corporate customer business at Zingg-Lamprecht.

The needs and needs analysis mentioned by Atzgerstorfer is based, among other things, on the psychological basic human needs (Grawe, 1998). The following applies: The more rooms and the built environment orient themselves to them, the greater the well-being and the feeling of mental security arises. This refers to the need for orientation and control, the need for pleasure gain and avoidance of discomfort, the desire for attachment and belonging and finally the need for self-esteem protection and increase.

Disorientation, loss of control or isolation are emotional states that are highly relevant when staying in hospitals or nursing homes. Such feelings can be counteracted in many ways by means of an appropriate interior design. An example of this is the creation of loneliness-reducing (social) spaces for the elderly. Nursing homes are opened up to quarters in such a way that both the residents and the older residents benefit from more community and participation. An appropriate room design is supported by the integration of various services such as, family doctor’s practices, restaurants, dance cafes or nurseries. In this way meeting points arise and isolation is systematically counteracted. 

Um solche Projekte gelungen zu verwirklichen, gilt es zwei weitere wichtige Faktoren bereits früh in der Projektphase zu berücksichtigen: die menschliche Wahrnehmung und die Bedürfnissättigung. Die Architektur von Räumen kann hier sowohl präventiv, kurativ oder auch rehabilitativ wirken. Gemäss den Studien von Evans & Mitchell McCIn order to successfully implement such projects, two other important factors must be taken into account early in the project phase: human perception and the saturation of needs. The architecture of rooms can be preventive, curative or rehabilitative. According to the studies by Evans & Mitchell McCoy (1998), there are five essential design parameters that strongly influence sensory and neurological perception - and are therefore indispensable: stimulation (how intensively we experience our environment), affordance (to which reactions and actions the space animates us), coherence (how coherent is a space and how oriented we feel in it), control (what influence we can take on the space and adapt to our needs) and recreation (how much the stress and cognitive fatigue reduction succeeds). oy (1998) sind es in der Umsetzung fünf essenzielle Gestaltungsparameter, die die sensorische und neurologische Wahrnehmung stark beeinflussen – und deshalb unverzichtbar sind: Stimulierung (wie intensiv erleben wir unsere Umwelt), Affordanz (zu welchen Reaktionen und Handlungen animiert uns der Raum), Kohärenz (wie stimmig ist ein Raum und wie orientiert fühlen wir uns darin), Kontrolle (welchen Einfluss können wir auf den Raum nehmen und an unsere Bedürfnisse anpassen) und Erholung (wie stark gelingt die Stress- und kognitive Müdigkeitsreduzierung). 

In order to successfully implement these parameters, the concept of biophilia has proven itself. Studies show that the nature-integrating approach can increase human well-being and productivity. With biological light planning, vegetation, water, sounds and smells nature is created in the room. Nature analogies such as biomorphic forms and materialities and the organic, non-living evocation of nature also play into the concept of biophilic architecture.

The nature of the room is also decisive: balconies, large windows with a view of nature ensure local reference. Just like materials from the environment. Important are, for example, curves that are good for the human eye as well as paths and views that do not lead to a wall.

Auch die Natur des Raumes ist ausschlaggebend: Balkone, grosse Fenster mit Sicht in die Natur sorgen für Ortsbezug. Genauso wie Materialien aus der Umgebung. Wichtig dabei sind beispielsweise auch Rundungen, die dem menschlichen Auge guttun sowie Wege und Blicke, die nicht an eine Wand führen.

This all sounds plausible - at least in theory. But in practice, a multitude of questions arise at the beginning of the project: What are the needs of the target group? What added value can I offer her? What framework conditions must be observed? What are my financial resources? How do I connect the needs of patients and residents with those of employees in the construction project?

It is therefore necessary to unravel this «ball of questions». As is often the case, the solution is a middle ground that best meets the needs of all stakeholders - and creates spaces that promote well-being and reduce stress for all involved and ultimately have a positive effect on both quality, HR and financial indicators. The speakers' conclusion: Healing Architecture is definitely not just a hype, but a clear guide to the future of architecture and interior design that puts human needs in the foreground.

In the last 20 years we have successfully implemented more than 80 projects in the health and social sector and are thus one of the most competent contacts in the market and are at your side with technical expertise and experience in each of your projects with words and deeds.

We have a broad-based expert team consisting of a gerontopsychologist, work and organizational psychologist, architect and interior designer. This diversity of perspectives and competencies enables us to develop and implement human-centered, innovative and functional room and furniture solutions - always in close cooperation and coordination with our customers.