The ancient Greek architects seemed to have had the right idea about the design of healthcare facilities or “temples of healing”. These were complex and elaborate buildings within which were gardens, libraries, and even theatres. It appears that the philosophy of restoring health was to honor the weak and sick in an emotionally caring ambience. Beauty was not only for the strong and the healthy, nor was it approached simply from a cosmetic standpoint. Beauty and nurturing walked hand in hand, and beauty meant far more than just another “pretty” building. Beauty was understood to be a fundamental human need. The human being seeks it out because it has valuable restorative powers. Beauty in itself is a temple of healing, and it was well understood by the ancient Greeks.

When illness strikes us or our family members, we look to our hospitals and healthcare facilities for our literal survival. No one is ever happy over the prospect of having to enter a hospital or visit a diagnostic center for testing, even when the patient knows it will be of great benefit to do so. Most people feel intimidated by and frightened of these facilities, which have their own customs, their own clothing, and language that often is incomprehensible. The patient and his family finds him/herself in a strange land with rules that govern almost every action. The patient can feel uncertain, apprehensive, and virtually ignored. It remains within the domain of the architects and designers of these establishments to speak to the needs of the patient and their families and to design for comfort, understanding, emotional support, and to promote wellness.

Architectural and interior design can support a hospital’s efficiency, functionality, and technical perfection, without sacrificing humane design which focuses on the psychological and physiological well-being of the patient. Often this concept is misconstrued to be that hospitals should look like “homes” and have a highly “residential” ambience, in an effort to “minimize the institutional look”. This is just not so. Often exaggerated charm, too much playfulness or strength in color or even an overly casual aesthetic can be perceived as a poor attempt to express friendliness. In fact, these elements can be counterproductive to the institutions ability to instill confidence in the patient or his family.

Starting in the front lobby and main waiting areas, medical facilities must impart the promise of care and of emotional support … not just in plaques of goodwill on the walls, but within the physical design itself. The overall appearance of all aspects of the interior must transmit a sense of friendliness, care, trust and confidence in the treatment to be received. Among the many elements and factors in the interior space, the color design must be highly effective, for color is indeed a great communicator and visual language. As such, it is a key messenger of the kind of care to be received.

With this in mind, the ambience of the lobby must be in agreement with the quality of the entire environment, namely the facility. A sensitively designed waiting area holds promise of good care to follow. Exam rooms that are starkly finished or poorly designed can lead to a patient’s lack of confidence in the facility in general. The design integrity must be maintained, so that the environment fully speaks to the institution’s patient care philosophy. Corridors which assist in providing clear directions to a patient’s destination are vital in diminishing anxiety levels. This can be achieved simply through the proper use of color on walls, the floor plane, and other areas, as well as in effective and unambiguous signage. Correct lamping and light levels for various functions of the hospital are also vital in maintaining an emotionally “correct” ambience.

Other key elements in good healthcare design are the proper use of artwork, floor patterning and other visual elements within the environment, a controlled level of visual noise, and the incorporation of nature in effective and creative ways. Keeping these general design objectives in mind when building and/or renovating medical facilities can promote good design, which in turn will promote healthful design and contribute to the overall reason for their existence, namely to promote healing.