6 Examples of Biophilic Design in Healthcare

Health organizations are using biophilic design more often to improve patient well-being. This concept refers to the hypothesis that we have a desire to be in nature. And it isn’t just for aesthetic purposes. Biophilic design actually has health benefits. It can reduce stress and its effects, improve patient recovery time, and even boost air quality.

Even though this concept has been around since 1984, it’s becoming more popular. And we can see this through health organizations that have added biophilic elements to their structures.

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Providence St. Joseph Center in Washington is one facility that added simple but useful elements. It includes what it refers to as a “healing garden” to provide a relaxing environment for residents and their families. The garden has a rock water feature that creates soothing sounds to create peace for its visitors. The facility also installed walking paths and benches that patents can use during therapy.

The Christ Hospital Joint and Spine Center is unique for many reasons. It’s the first and only center of its kind in its region. But it also stands out because of the two rooftop gardens with views of the Cincinnati skyline. The outdoor landscape includes plants, pergolas, benches, and fountains. Each space provides relief and rehabilitation for patients. The natural designs continue indoors with abundant natural light to promotes healing.

Kaiser Permanente introduced biophilic design in its Radiation Oncology Center in California. The goal was to reduce the stress and discomfort of cancer treatment. Natural light, views, and colors create a calming experience that resemble a spa instead of a health facility. Each room faces the centerpiece of the facility, the Zen and vertical gardens. The exterior glass has a glazing pattern to mirror the surrounding landscape. It provides transparency where desired and privacy where needed. And at night, the building produces a warm glow to boost hope for patients.

Maggie’s Oxford Centre is a cancer caring center designed to welcome patients and families. The facility is on the grounds of the Churchill Hospital. It offers a variety of support benefits to people dealing with cancer. To make it more calming, it’s set in a structure that feels like a treehouse. The large windows surrounded by trees give plenty of natural light and views of the outdoors. It feels like an escape so visitors can relax from the stress of cancer.

The Outdoor Care Retreats are within a short walking distance from Norway’s Oslo University Hospital. These cabins offer patients and families relief from treatment and long-term hospitalizations. Even though they’re part of the hospital’s campus, the secluded wooden shelters feel like a peaceful escape of their own. They’re surrounded by lush forest so visitors can enjoy the therapeutic nature. The Outdoor Retreats fit the needs of all patients through wheelchair accessibility and a large entrance to make room for hospital beds. Patients can use this space for treatment. Or they can just escape here to relax and spend time with loved ones away from the hospital.

Parsley Health is a holistic medicine practice with locations in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Its focus is in functional medicine so the practice approaches health from a lifestyle perspective. This is obvious by just looking at the organization’s design. Each location is full of natural light, plenty of plants, and decorations that use wood and natural colors. Even though the facilities are in big cities, the offices have calming, quiet atmospheres.

While biophilic design isn’t a new concept, it’s growing in popularity. We spend less and less time in nature, and it affects our health and wellbeing. But healthcare practices aren’t missing a beat when it comes to fueling our desire to experience nature. Even when we’re stuck in a hospital or doctor’s office, they’re adding details to make our experience more relaxing. And the use of this design will just continue as practices see improved patient outcomes from these beneficial elements.

#BiophilicDesign #BiophilicHealthcare