INTERIOR DESIGNING OF A HOSPITAL

CONTENTS

What is Interior designing? .................................................................................................... 3
Interior designing of hospitals. what is the difference? ................................................... 3
Expectations of the stakeholders of a hospital:...................................................................... 3
Promoters .......................................................................................................................... 3
Patients ............................................................................................................................. 3
Staff ................................................................................................................................... 4
Importance of understanding the functional zones of a hospital: ........................................... 4
The public zone ................................................................................................................. 4
The patient zone ................................................................................................................ 5
The staff zone .................................................................................................................... 6
The service and storage zone ........................................................................................... 6
Some points to consider when designing the interiors of a hospital ....................................... 6
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 8


WHAT IS INTERIOR DESIGNING?
In the context of design, Interiors refers to any space within an enclosed structure that is
inhabitable and human centred. These spaces include residences, offices, institutions,
schools, hospitals, theatres, restaurants, hotels and resorts, airports and the like. This
context also spills onto the structures extensions such as porches, entrances, swimming
pools, landscaped areas, decks, patios etc. Interior designing is the designing of the
interiors of a space, including flooring, windows, doors, walls, lighting, furniture and
decorative material. Every design starts with a goal to make the space comfortable and
aesthetically pleasing.
INTERIOR DESIGNING OF HOSPITALS. WHAT IS THE
DIFFERENCE?
The unique challenges of designing interiors for hospitals demand that interior designers
have a sophisticated body of knowledge about the hospital, health and safety requirements
and the different needs of patients and caregivers in these unique environments.
Besides making the place comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, designing the interiors of a
hospital include the additional goals of reducing and controlling environmental hazards and
risks; preventing accidents and injuries; maintaining safe conditions for patients, staff and
visitors; maintaining an environment sensitive to patient needs; minimizing environmental
stresses for patients, staff and visitors.
EXPECTATIONS OF THE STAKEHOLDERS OF A HOSPITAL:
Understanding the requirements of the potential occupants plays a vital role in master
planning of a hospital. This becomes even more significant while planning and working on
the interiors, inputs of the promoters is nonetheless important however the inputs from
potential staff and patients is essential to create an environment that supports a philosophy,
a culture and operational viability. Understanding the expectations of each stakeholder is
therefore a pre-requisite of interior designing of a hospital.
PROMOTERS A cost effective feasible concept that ensures utilization of the best
possible materials and manpower to satisfy the needs of the patients as well as staff of the
hospital is what would interest the promoters. This of course does not mean that they would
not want an aesthetically pleasing interior which is also comfortable.
PATIENTS Gone are the days when people view a hospital as a place where they can
only expect to receive treatment for the ailment they are suffering from. A hospital today is
required to be much more, patients and relatives expect a hospital to be as comfortable as
their home, provide amenities that are as good as those provided by the best of hotels and
malls while at the same time giving the best possible diagnosis and treatment for their
illness. In a nutshell comfort, safety, a healing environment and aesthetics that are pleasing
to the eye are what the present day patients would expect.
STAFF The staff of the hospital ranging from doctors, to nurses, to other paramedics and
other support staff spend a major portion of their day within the confines of the hospital. They
need a soothing environment that balances off the stress that comes from continuously
working among the sick. If one would ask them they would however very often only say they
look for an environment that is safe for patients as well as them, durable interior finishes that
are relatively easy to clean and therefore contribute to the control of hospital acquired
infections, comfort and interiors that can lift ones spirit are points that very often may just slip
off their minds.
IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE FUNCTIONAL
ZONES OF A HOSPITAL:
The interiors of each zone of the hospital requires different specifications, designing
approach, material usage, lighting system, ceilings, flooring, color scheme, furniture use,
linens, music, plants, art and accessories. The various zones to be considered when
planning the interiors are listed down below.

THE PUBLIC ZONE This zone encompasses the porch, all entries to the building,
lobbies, waiting areas, cafeterias, retail space, spiritual space, conference and seminar halls,
registration areas and admission and discharge areas.
The public zones are the areas that are the face of the hospital to almost all who visit it. They
should therefore be able to:
Create a Memorable Experience Use of architectural elements, finishes, imagery
or plant life.
Create an Intuitive Orientation to Spaces Providing visibility to the outside creates
sense of direction.
Establish the Unique Identity of the hospital
The porch for example should be able to welcome people, impart a beautiful feeling and take
away the fear and apprehension that usually accompany them when visiting a hospital. Use
of nature in the form of flowers and greenery is one of the best ways a porch can do this.
The main lobby is an area that is usually the first view that people see of the interiors of the
hospital, it can therefore have an ability to please them and make them feel good about
being in. Hospitals today need to have lobbies planned the way hotel lobbies are with the
elegance and sophistication depending on the target population they attract.
Within a hospital waiting room, patients could get views of nature or be surrounded by
calming colors and pleasing sounds that can sooth patient anxiety and stress. Another
approach that would help patients endure those long waiting periods involves giving
thought to the arrangement and ergonomics of where they sit. Comfort while waiting is key,
particularly for hospital patients who might be in a great deal of pain. Television in waiting
rooms in essence, is a great idea but what about those that dont want to watch television,
particularly when a waiting room only broadcasts news or other intense shows. It is
important to realize that there is a difference between trying to distract a patient from
boredom versus bombarding them with additional stressors. Waiting rooms can serve as
buffer zones, transitional areas or even learning places as they receive occupants coming
from one place and then prepare them to go into the next.
THE PATIENT ZONE This includes areas that a patient circulates and resides in
along the journey to receive treatment and care. The various areas are wards, consultation
rooms, diagnostic areas, emergency room, operating theatres, ICUs and other treatment
areas like the paediatric unit, the maternity area, cardiac catheterisation areas, the
endoscopy room, the dialysis area etc.
The inpatient zone should not be an unfriendly place that is dull, dark, unclean having an
unpleasant odour and a potential place for infection. Patients are already under a lot of
stress worrying about when they are going to get better, they therefore need an emotionally
supportive environment, a calm, healing environment that is patient-friendly at the same time
ensures safety. Unfortunately, many hospital environments are still overfilled with technology
and interior design that is clunky, noisy and visually too sterile and intimidating. Patient
experience in such places dampens the senses and makes patients heal in spite of their
surroundings. Currently; however, there is an ongoing push to make such environments
more humane, comforting and natural. Attention to color or organic textures, for example,
are proving to significantly impact occupant or patient mood.
Critical areas like the operating theatres, the intensive care units require interiors that
minimize the potential of hospital acquired infection to the extent possible. To site an
example the most perfect walls and flooring for the operating theatres are the ones that are
seamless with no edges and joints. Creating spaces which are durable and easily
maintained is one of the most important criteria when planning the interiors of a hospital, this
is even more important when it comes to the inpatient zone.

THE STAFF ZONE The staff of a hospital would circulate in all areas of the hospital,
however certain areas that are dedicated to them are offices, work rooms, nurse stations,
physician spaces, change rooms and locker rooms, lounges, conference, and all research
areas.
Staff zones also need special attention as they are capable of increasing the feeling of
stressfulness or completely alleviate it. Staff areas like offices, lounges, change rooms and
locker rooms require interiors that are comfortable and giving a relaxed feeling. These areas
of this zone can be designed using colours that are different from what the staff are exposed
to in the diagnostic, treatment and other work areas, use of furniture that gives a homely
relaxed feeling such as sofas and inclusion of various forms of art like paintings, sculpture
etc.
The other areas like the conference hall, nursing station, physician spaces, offices and
workrooms need to have interiors that do not aggravate stress but at the same time not
imparting too much of a relaxed feeling.
THE SERVICE AND STORAGE ZONE - This includes all building support spaces
like communication, electrical, air conditioning, IT etc., CSSD, laundry, kitchen, utility
spaces, general and medical stores, pharmacy, housekeeping spaces. Designing of this
zone should be such that it is able to facilitate People Movement Promote wayfinding,
orientation and ease of movement.
SOME POINTS TO CONSI DER WHEN DESIGNING THE
INTERIORS OF A HOSPITAL
People do not go to a hospital by choice they are compelled to do so. A hospital should
therefore not look, feel or smell like one. The following are a few ways a hospital design can
bring about a positive influence to the patients health:
Cleanliness and control of infection is the most important criteria to be considered
while designing the interiors of a hospital These include, but are not limited to:
a. Coved skirtings
b. Strategically placed wash hand basins, alcohol gels, and Dani-
Centres
c. Easily cleanable floor, wall and ceiling materials and finishes
d. Avoiding horizontal surfaces that will collect dust especially if these
are higher than an average person, e.g. wall cupboards should
either have sloping tops or should be joined up with the ceiling
e. Avoiding nooks and corners that are difficult to reach and clean
f. Using materials that can be washed and sterilised, e.g. use of
curtains vs. blinds
Creating a sense of place by going beyond simple signage, hospital patients should
be able to have a sense of their location without ever feeling lost. It has been found
that having a sense of place helps keep patient stress levels down.
Inclusion of more private rooms as far as possible is also important to hospital
design. Providing private rooms reduces medication error and falling instances.
Private rooms also make for better visiting with patients and their loved ones. Here of
course one needs to consider the type of clientele the hospital is slated to target
Utilization of nature and artwork to provide for more positive patient experiences.
Both nature and artwork contribute to patients having a greater sense of well-being
where spaces lend themselves toward contemplation and feeding the senses. In
essence, designers should not forget the healing power of nature when designing
healthcare space. Healing gardens can be created as an addition to the patient zone
they are sure to bring in a positive effect on healing and can definitely make one feel
relaxed and comfortable. An image that offers stress reduction and a tranquil view
would be ideal in a work area like on a wall facing the nursing station.
Designing a noiseless environment. A major problem within hospitals today is noise,
often patients cannot sleep through the night as medical carts screech through the
halls and doors open and close. Hospital designers should pay greater attention to
acoustics within hospitals as noisy environments generate more stress for patients
and also, sleep is critical for patient recovery.
Taking advantage of color. Use of color in hospital designs can help patients have a
sense of orientation , color is used to give different hospital areas a sense of place.
Color has also been known to be associated with mood. Grey can make one feel dull
whereas the lighter shades of blue, green, pink or purple can give a relaxed feeling.
Color perception can impact patients healing. The paediatric area requires more
colourful spaces than the rest of the hospital. It is important to use the right colors in
waiting areas, examination rooms, hallways and patient private rooms; it can have a
definite affect on patient motivation and stress levels.
Color theory is an important aspect of design for Patient Care. Understanding the
appropriateness of colors and applications and how they affect patients is vital. When
selecting color for a specific area designers should consider the following elements:

Colour impact on space
Addressing emotional impact from different colour combinations
Knowing physical and psychological affects of colour

Lighting: Lighting needs to be functional and it should enhance the visual appeal of
the built environment. Well-planned layering of ambient, task and accent lighting is
critical in
creating effective, efficient and aesthetically pleasing lighting. In a hospital however
bringing in the maximum of natural light can expedite the healing process.

A few points to think of when planning the lighting system in a hospital - Public area
lighting can be more decorative and can be image-building; patient area lighting
needs to be planned with adjustability and flexibility; patient rooms should have
lighting planned for various settings, lighting must be sufficient to allow medical
exams to be performed, but a more home-like setting with dimmed light must also be
an option; lighting in staff offices and areas needs to be functional and task-oriented.
By incorporating technology, we can extract features from nature in a more conscious
manner. As designers bring architecture together with nature, they can align
environments with human natural biorhythms. For example, lighting properties could
more closely resemble those found in natural sunlight.
Pattern and texture are important in the development of the design for healthcare
facilities. Patient conditions can make them sensitive to various patterns and
textures. The environment should support a sense of stability and visual clarity.

Flooring: Flooring in a hospital cannot be the same in all zones, each zone requires
different specifications. The public, staff, storage and service zone do not have
special requirements besides durability, ease of maintenance, not too soft or too hard
and ability to impart a positive image. Patient areas and treatment areas on the other
hand call for specific types of flooring, seamless flooring are the most appropriate.
Signages Should be easily visible, contents in languages understood by the
majority of staff and patient population presented in a non-cluttered form.

Material used should be as far as possible available locally, provide durability and
ease of maintenance, support sustainability and/or evidence based design principles
and minimizes initial costs/life cycle cost

CONCLUSION
A number of existing hospitals do not have the architecture to effectively deliver patient care.
They have been mainly designed when patients were considered more an object on the
scene rather than focus of design and thus were delineated from the hospital architectural
planning. In a major paradigm shift, sensitivity to peoples feelings and their need for sensory
input have impacted the hospital facility planning and design. Hospital designing must focus
on improving the quality of environment for the care providers and recipients of health
care. A hospital must evoke a positive response and the design should support the
processes carried out in it. Todays world is not the dis-jointed geographical areas of the
centuries gone by. It is well connected, well educated and constantly strives to improve.
Hospitals, staff, equipment and procedures are all rapidly transforming to ensure just one
thing shortest possible time to recuperate a patient to a healthy state once again!