Fabricating Scars: Healing Architecture Through Organic Delineation

Abstract

When designing hospitals, Interior Architects are challenged to create spaces that facilitate the healing process. Research shows that environment can influence the health of all using the space (Rubert, Long and Hutchinson). Unfortunately healthcare facilities are not generally designed to respond appropriately to the inhabitants needs (Douglas, Hathaway and Burks) causing the space to have a negative impact on its users. This is a wound in Interior Architecture that is in much need of healing. ‘Fabricating Scars’ defines the process into, and the design of, Interior Architecture that can heal this wound.

The principles of Evidence Based Design have been utilised and merged with a strong thematic approach to form; Using the idea of the formation of a scar-the human process of healing, defined by this work to have three major steps entitled ‘Reveal’, ‘Release’ and ‘Embrace’ -as the main driving theme.

Exploration of multiple theme based design processes in an attempt to design healing spaces within Wellington Regional Hospital (Under management of the Capital and Coast District Health Board) were conducted, including the use of thematic matrices, narrative design and emotive drawing. The outcomes of these explorations were used to learn and progress, ultimately leading to the conclusion that research and exploration alone cannot lead to a successful design, and that experience and personal interpretation are equally important in making design decisions that will lead to a healing space.

A working knowledge of a hospital was attained through employment, and drawn upon along with personal observation and interpretation of space, to aid and restructure the developing design process. On-going research recognised the healing powers of nature, and used the ideas and principles of organic architecture interpretively, to bridge the gap between thematic direction and functional evidence based healing design. The threads of knowledge gained through the research, exploration and experiences have been woven together in a deeply personal way, to justify and create healing interior architectural scars that heal on both the macro and micro scales, the three major architectural wounds of: Difficulty way finding, a lack of positive distraction and most significantly the patient bed spaces within the selected site while simultaneously establishing a successful process to heal similar architectural wounds not explored within the scope of this thesis.