Building to Heal

More about the book

„Building to Heal: New Architecture for Hospitals“ addresses the significant challenges faced by the hospital system today and offers innovative solutions in healthcare architecture. Through a critical, evidence-based approach, various authors explore the shortcomings of current healthcare systems and how architecture can enhance patient healing. The publication is structured into three main chapters reflecting the medical process: “Symptoms,” “Diagnosis,” and “Therapy.” The introduction highlights the “sick house” phenomenon, emphasizing the urgent need for societal and architectural reform. In the second section, experts from psychology, medicine, and architectural theory diagnose the complex factors contributing to the “diseased house.” The third section outlines seven scientifically supported environmental variables essential for effective therapy, utilizing principles from evidence-based design. Additionally, thirteen international case studies illustrate how the strategic application of these environmental factors can lead to hospital designs that foster healing. This work connects the growing knowledge in healthcare architecture with the pressing need for planners, policymakers, and the public to address health as a critical architectural issue.