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ENVIRONMENTALAL
ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL
MEDICINE MEDICINE
MEDICINE
Hospital Design:
Creating a Healing Environment
Interview with Leni Kirkman, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer at University
Health; conducted by Elizabeth Allen, Director of External Communications at University Health, and Trisha Doucette, Editor, San
Antonio Medicine magazine. their arrival to the facility and continues inside where concierge ser- When you think about design, there are a lot of decisions we can make to
Photography by Mark Greenberg for University Health vices are common in a visually appealing public space and curated art reduce that stress by allowing families to be there for support.”
installations reference elements of hospitality design.3 Another concept that came to fruition from the 2008 planning
At University Health in San Antonio, Texas, administrators inten- phase was the SaludeArte: Art of Healing program, which encom-
he built environment impacts how people physically maneu- tionally made the decision to create uplifting environments and utilize passes art exhibits, performance art and workshops for patients and
ver and function in a space, but it also contributes to a sense color. “Architecture and Design is your first step in understanding the staff. Gardens were incorporated into design to offer respite for visitors
Tof safety and overall well-being — or not. As a result, people patient experience. I would argue that design is as important as any and provide soothing views from inside spaces, and color psycholo-
are constantly trying to reshape the physical component of a space other form of healthcare,” said Leni Kirkman, Executive Vice Presi- gy was used to determine palettes for specific needs and areas. Kirk-
to positively impact the emotional response it evokes. This action is dent, Chief Marketing Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer man explained, “Intentional elements such as nature, art and design
ever-present in hospital design. at University Health. enhancements are extremely important in creating spaces that reduce
In fact, each historical era created its own unique hospital design While some architects may have specialized experience in building anxieties and make hospitals feel warmer and more welcoming. We saw
that responded to the practice of healthcare in that period. Beginning hospitals and ambulatory care clinics, the healthcare landscape is con- on day one of the Sky Tower opening the importance of these visual
in the 10th century, basilicas evolved from religious buildings where stantly growing and changing. At University Health, the architectural elements through patient and family testimonials.”
people sought refuge, to hospitals. By the Renaissance Period, cross- team meets with hospital user groups to understand the flow of how In a world where consumers are demanding experiences in everyday
ward hospitals emerged and were eventually modified into four angled they do their work, the types of spaces they need for productivity and social interactions, hospitals are evolving to include more positive sen-
wards with an altar in the center so that all patients could participate in efficiency, how they care for patients and how they work as an academ- sory stimulation that promotes a kinder, calming healing environment.
mass. Gender-segregated wards were established in the 17th century, ic medical center.
and by the 19th century, wards radiating from a central station allowed In 2008, during the planning phase of the Sky Tower at Univer-
direct sight lines to patients’ beds and more windows were added for sity Health, a Master Facilities Planning Committee considered spa-
natural ventilation. The early 20th century brought social class to the tial principles and how the service of a space is designed. Right-sizing References:
mix with the introduction of private rooms and also reserved space for spaces for specific procedures and patients in wheelchairs or walkers, 1. Perales, A. Design & Healing Hospital Typologies. Typologies: A
medical specializations. Then between the 1960s-80s, the Mega-Hos- chairs to suit different purposes throughout the hospital and special Taxonomy of Type is from The Architecture of Health: Hospital
pital was designed in response to population demands and the space considerations for visiting family members were addressed. They came Design and the Constriction of Dignity by Michael P. Mur-
required for healthcare technologies. 1 up with the concept of designing patient rooms with three zones: a phy Jr. with Jeffrey Mansfield and MASS Desgn Group (2021,
Today, good hospital design focusses on improving the overall family zone with comfortable chairs and a couch that expands to a Cooper Hewitt). https://artsandculture.google.com/story/
healthcare experience for patients as well as providers while accom- bed, the patient area with personal space and the care team area where design-amp-healing-hospital-typologies-cooper-hewitt-natio-
modating the constant evolvement of technological advancements and equipment can be moved about. This zone model has continued nal-design-museum/XAWRwVgcQpJ39g?hl=en
patient demographics.2 Architecturally, adaptability and sustainability through the construction of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital and 2. Evolution of Modern Hospital Architecture: Innovations,
are imperative but both patients and staff benefit from a well-designed, other community hospitals. Trends, and Impact. Healthcare 360 Magazine. https://heath-
aesthetically pleasing space. In clinical care areas where patients are Accommodating family members was especially important, as family care360magazine.com/evolution-modern-hospital-architecture/
conscious, natural light with window views, art, sound, and materi- support is essential in creating a healing environment. “We want to be 3. Staczek, D. 10 Elements of the Perfect Hospital Design. Archi-
al and color palettes all create a calming and healing environment. able to understand the needs of our community, and we want to make it tizer. https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/perfect-hospi-
Beyond clinical care areas, addressing patients’ comfort begins upon as comfortable for patients as possible. Going to the hospital is stressful. tal-design/
24 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • July 2024 Visit us at www.bcms.org 25
