Abigail Katovsky, Associate, and Britni Stone, Senior Associate, at NBBJ, discuss some of the most important elements when seeking to make hospital environments feel more homely, comfortable, and noninstitutional, and the significant impact this can have on patient recovery.
Home is a place of residence, but what makes a ‘sense of home’ so important to us as human beings? Beyond our basic human needs such as safety and shelter, home provides a sense of comfort, personal identity, and familiarity. Home is also where we experience choice – the ability to decide when, where, and how to be; to choose materials, furniture, and lighting, that make us comfortable; to showcase our personalities with artwork and accessories; and to bake, light candles, turn on music, or open the windows to engage our senses.
Within healthcare facilities, there has been a shift from design that is institutional and clinical-focused, to a more humancentred approach. Because patient experience is highly dependent upon environment, recreating the comforts and aesthetics of home can help ease patient anxieties, create a welcoming environment, and in turn enhance the overall patient experience. Here, we offer scalable ideas to make the hospital seem more like home.
Tap into the power of personal choice
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