Healing: Architecture for a Future-oriented Medical Practice
The healthcare sector is changing. Advances in medical science and technology, together with an ageing population, are having a dramatic effect on the building types required to house and offer specialized medical services.
The most significant changes are taking place at a systemic level, taking the experience of the patient and their loved ones into consideration and ensuring their comfort. According the a recent study by the Architect’s Journal, advances in medical science and technology are perhaps the biggest driver for change. Based on the current trends, we will continue to see major regional medical facilities with highly specialised offerings in combination with local health centres that can deal with the majority of conditions. Within conventional hospitals there will be a continuing shift to daycare. There will be further large ambulatory care centres bringing together consultation, investigation, and treatment within highly efficient and pleasant environments. Think of them as the new healthcare shopping malls of the future. And to successfully design them, we believe, circulation and spatial relationships are the two most important contributing factors.
As we live longer, senior living is rapidly expanding worldwide. The increase in the length of our life-spans have not only put emphasis on the quality of care at an old age, but it has also further resulted in a global wellness revolution. Architecture, as a catalyst for change, needs to follow the social and political changes. This is a paradigm shift from designing buildings and spaces that cater to illness and disease (pathology) to life-affirming strategies, recognising the importance of healthy experiences and stress reduction. This new mindset has profoundly influenced the design of recent healthcare buildings of all types.
Recently having had completed ONE Heart Medical Centre, our team has experienced the demands of the future-oriented medical facilities in Canada. By hosting a number of cardiology-concentrated services under one roof, ONE Heart Medical Centre (ONE) provides both diagnosis and remedial treatments. Serving emotionally-exhausted patients with heart conditions, the professional and comfortable setting of ONE, today, features bright and cheerful spaces. The design strategy divides up this floor into multiple pods; three are dedicated to examination, one for nuclear stress/imaging, and one for educational, research and operational purposes. The setting is easy to navigate and pleasant to spend time at: a future-oriented medical facility, ONE Heart Medical Centre is a place to come together and combat the difficulties of heart disease