Abstract
This research examines how hospital design can move beyond purely operational efficiency to serve as essential public health infrastructure. Traditional hospitals have prioritized mechanization, streamlined circulation, and rapid clinical throughput, often at the expense of preventive care, emotional support, and equitable access. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the limitations of this approach, revealing the need for environments that support both patients and staff holistically. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining a review of existing healthcare design practices with an analysis of spatial strategies that promote health and well-being. Building on this, a taxonomy of architectural elements is proposed for the “Hospital of the Future as Infrastructure.” These elements focus on patient safety while integrating access to nature, natural light, and sensory-rich environments. They provide practical design solutions that support evolving healthcare needs, foster resilience, and create immersive, human-centered spaces. The findings suggest that hospitals can be repositioned as civic institutions that actively contribute to population health. By prioritizing human-centered design, these facilities can enhance preventive care, emotional well-being, and community engagement while maintaining operational efficiency. This framework encourages designers, administrators, and policymakers to rethink healthcare infrastructure as a proactive, socially responsive system. Reimagining hospitals in this way has significant implications for the future of healthcare, emphasizing the ethical and public health responsibility of architecture in shaping environments that support holistic human well-being.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
HOSPITAL DESIGN,SPATIAL STRATEGIES, WELL-BEING, HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN, HEALTHCARE ARCHITECTURE,PREVENTIVE CARE, RESILIENT
