Hospital and healthcare facility design is one of the most sensitive and complex branches of architecture and building engineering. These spaces must not only meet the healthcare and medical needs of society but also provide a safe, calming, and efficient environment for patients, their companions, and healthcare staff. Adhering to specialized standards and regulations, using modern materials, and considering psychological and functional aspects are essential for creating a healthy and effective environment for patient care. In this article from Banasan, we explore the principles, regulations, and standards of hospital design and present innovative solutions for improving healthcare spaces.
The Importance of Proper Hospital Design
Hospitals, as vital infrastructure, play a key role in managing health crises and natural disasters. Properly designed hospitals not only improve the quality of healthcare services but also ensure the resilience and safety of the structure in critical conditions. Adhering to architectural, structural, health, and psychological standards is crucial for creating a healthy and effective environment for patient care.
Hospital Architectural Regulations and Standards
Site Selection and Proper Placement
Choosing the location for a hospital is the first and most critical step in the design process. The hospital site should be in a quiet area, free from noise, traffic, and environmental pollution. Additionally, future expansion possibilities and easy access to urban transportation networks should be considered. The proper placement of departments and adherence to spatial hierarchies play a significant role in the hospital’s efficiency.
Space Division and Organization
A hospital typically includes main departments such as emergency, inpatient, outpatient, surgery, administration, and support. Optimal connectivity between these departments and ease of access is a key principle in hospital layout design. The emergency and outpatient sections should be located near the main entrance and provide quick access to vital departments like surgery and imaging. Separate pathways for patients, staff, and equipment should be designed to avoid cross-contamination and interference.
Standard Dimensions and Measurements
For each inpatient bed, between 75 to 150 square meters (including landscaping) is allocated. The width of patient corridors should be at least 1.5 meters, and for the passage of hospital beds, at least 2.25 meters is required. Door and stair heights, dimensions of operating rooms and anesthesia rooms, and window distances must comply with national and international standards to facilitate easy movement of patients, staff, and equipment.
Health and Safety Requirements
Using washable and disinfectable materials for floors, walls, and ceilings, designing air conditioning systems and infection control (negative pressure rooms, advanced filters), and planning emergency exit routes and evacuation signs are crucial elements in hospital design. All spaces must be designed to facilitate easy cleaning and disinfection while preventing the accumulation of contaminants.
Noise Pollution Control and Acoustic Enhancement
Acoustic comfort is one of the fundamental needs of patients and healthcare staff. In healthcare environments, disturbing noises can increase stress, reduce patients' quality of sleep, and impair staff performance. To control and reduce unwanted sounds, the following solutions should be implemented in the structure and interior design:
- Use of acoustic panels in false ceilings and covering walls to control and suppress sound.
- Use of mineral insulation in interior walls to reduce sound transmission between departments.
- Separation of high-traffic areas (such as waiting rooms) from sensitive areas (such as inpatient rooms and consultation rooms).
- Installation of double-glazed windows and soundproof doors.
- Designing corridors and public spaces to minimize sound reflection.
Using modern materials and lightweight structures with optimal acoustic performance can play an essential role in creating a calm and comfortable environment for both patients and staff.
Seismic, Fire, and Crisis Resilience
Structural Seismic Resistance
Considering the vital role of hospitals during crises, these buildings must be constructed in compliance with earthquake-resistant building codes. Using lightweight and durable materials, designing flexible connections, and adhering to lightweight construction principles can reduce the vulnerability of the structure to earthquakes. All elements and structures connected to the floor, ceiling, and main building frame must be earthquake-resistant to prevent damage, which could block evacuation routes and potentially cause fires.
Fire Safety
Fire-resistant construction is a vital requirement in hospital design. Protecting the load-bearing elements of the structure and the walls of each department ensures the stability of the building during a fire and provides enough time for safe evacuation. External walls of healthcare facilities should resist fire for at least 60 minutes, and internal and external emergency staircases should have at least 120 minutes of fire resistance. To meet these standards, low-combustible materials should be used, and the number and thickness of wall layers, mineral insulation thickness, and the spacing of structures should be determined based on height and fire codes.
Vital Resource Sustainability
Planning for backup power generators and support systems for critical sections, designing drainage systems, and constructing flood- and storm-resistant walls in high-risk areas are necessary measures to increase hospitals' resilience during critical situations.
Interior Design: Lighting and Color Schemes
Standard Lighting
Providing sufficient and adjustable lighting in operating rooms, inpatient rooms, and laboratories is critical to improving accuracy and reducing fatigue. Using ceiling-mounted lights, LED panels, and lights with a high color rendering index, as well as combining natural and artificial light, can create a calming and hygienic environment. Lighting must be designed to avoid creating harsh shadows and allow for adjusting the light intensity according to the needs of each space.
Psychology of Color in Healthcare Spaces
Choosing appropriate colors for walls, ceilings, and floors directly impacts the mood of patients and healthcare staff. Using light and soft colors (such as blue, green, soft gray, beige) is recommended to reduce stress and create a sense of calm. In patient rooms, to minimize stress for both patients and their companions, light and soft colors are typically used. Bright and stimulating colors (such as bright red and yellow) should be avoided in inpatient and waiting areas and can be selected for children’s spaces or active areas.
Ergonomics and Accessibility Principles
Designing for wheelchair access and individuals with limited mobility (ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms), providing adequate numbers of restrooms and showers for patients and staff, and ensuring the placement of furniture and medical equipment allows for unobstructed and safe movement are all key ergonomic principles in hospital design. All spaces must be designed for easy and quick access for all individuals.
Infection Control and Proper Ventilation
Designing HVAC systems with advanced filters to prevent the spread of infections, especially in critical areas such as ICUs and operating rooms, using antibacterial and washable materials on interior surfaces, maintaining proper separation between clean and contaminated spaces, and planning separate pathways for waste and contaminated equipment are essential for infection control in hospitals. All ventilation systems should be designed to ensure that polluted air does not exit sensitive areas and that continuous air exchange is maintained.
Conclusion and Final Recommendations
Designing hospitals and healthcare facilities goes beyond a typical construction project; it requires strict adherence to architectural, structural, health, and psychological standards. The use of appropriate materials, attention to acoustics, resilience to crises, scientific lighting, and color schemes all play critical roles in creating a safe, calming, and efficient environment for patients and healthcare staff. Implementing these principles not only enhances the quality of healthcare services but also guarantees the longevity of the building and the satisfaction of its users.
Ultimately, using modern building structures and materials, adhering to technical foundations, and implementing principles systematically will not only improve design quality and functionality but also increase the useful life of the building and enhance public health. For expert consultation and the implementation of healthcare projects that adhere to global standards, contact the Banasan team to receive the best solutions for enhancing your healthcare spaces.