Healthcare Design Basics

An approachable and robust treatment of designing and planning spaces for use in healthcare settings

In Healthcare Design Basics, a team of distinguished interior architecture practitioners and educators delivers an up-to-date text covering the critical aspects of healthcare design, preparing students for a specialty rapidly growing in importance and size. The book adopts an approach designed to crystalize the most important elements of broad range of ambulatory facilities for healthcare design students and new professionals in a clear, concise, and approachable way.

The authors combine a broad overview of numerous ambulatory healthcare typologies with exercises that allow students to prepare detailed plans for many of the most commonly used rooms and typologies in the healthcare industry, thus preparing them for the demands of professional positions.

The book also includes:

• Step by step studio guidance outlining the basic design elements required for a wide range of ambulatory healthcare facilities and rooms
• Comprehensive explorations of the demands of new and improved healthcare facilities that meet the needs of an aging population
• Practical discussions of the space planning challenges involved in designing rooms and facilities for use during public health crises, including pandemics
• Dozens of full-color images that illustrate and highlight important concepts, examples, and design solutions

Written for students of interior design, architecture, and emerging professionals, Healthcare Design Basics also benefits professionals tasked with the initial planning and design of ambulatory facilities, and other healthcare settings.

Mark Karlen (1929-2022) was an architect, educator, and author with extensive experience working in and teaching in the field of interior architecture. His other titles include Lighting Design Basics, Space Planning Basics, and Sustainable Design Basics.

Saglinda H Roberts is an Assistant Professor in the Interior Architecture program at Chatham University and has over 30 years of extensive experience in a broad range of project typologies. Her focused research is on the holistic analysis and integration of stakeholder needs.

Kyra Krotec Tucker is Chair of the Interior Architecture & Immersive Media programs at Chatham University and the principal of Kyra Tucker + Associates Interior Design. She has over sixteen years’ experience working in commercial and healthcare design.

About the Authors ix

Acknowledgements xi

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

Organization 2

Design Exercises 2

Additional Resources 2

Getting the Most Out of This Book 3

Companion Website 3

Additional Resources 3

Chapter 2 Evidence-based Design 5

What Is Evidence-based Design (EBD) 5

Origins of Evidence-based Design – A Brief History 5

Importance to Design 6

Principles and Process 7

Attributes of Evidence-based Designers 8

Associated Organizations 9

Additional Resources 9

Chapter 3 General Elements of Healthcare 11

History of the US Medical System 11

Codes, Regulations and Industry Standards 12

Specialized Facility and Mechanical Requirements 12

Specialized Demands on Healthcare Workers 18

The Built Environment’s Role 18

Additional Resources 19

Chapter 4 Holistic Analysis 21

Stakeholders 21

Operating Standards, Codes, Profitability + Administrator’s Perspectives 22

Holistic Analysis 22

Holistic Analysis of the Typology and Its Stakeholders 23

Case or Precedent Studies 24

Interviewing and Observation 25

Integrative Design 26

Summary 27

Additional Resources 27

Chapter 5 Room Requirements 29

Prototypical Space Requirements for Areas Found in Most Healthcare Facilities 29

Technology 51

Resilience 51

Additional Resources 52

Chapter 6 Major Specialties 53

Pediatrics 53

Dentistry 55

Gerontology 59

Palliative Care 61

Psychological + Psychiatric Practice 61

Orthopedic Offices 63

Internal Medicine 65

Alternative + Naturopathic Medicine 66

Additional Resources 68

Chapter 7 Group Practices 71

Single Specialty Group Practices 71

Multiple Specialty Group Practices 71

Employed Physician Practices 72

General Considerations 72

Typical Shared Functions and Components 74

Additional Resources 77

Chapter 8 Clinic Practices 79

Community Health or Care Clinics 80

Urgent Care Facilities 82

Facility Specific Treatment Spaces 84

Additional Resources 85

Chapter 9 Specialized Ambulatory Centers 87

Ambulatory Surgery 88

Physical Therapy 91

Cancer Treatment Centers 93

Dialysis or Kidney Treatment Centers 96

Additional Resources 98

Chapter 10 Architectural Considerations 101

Sustainability 101

Structural Systems 103

Shell or Exterior Envelope 104

Mechanical Equipment + Technology 105

Interior Construction 106

Materials 111

Medical Equipment + Technology 111

Adaption + Resilience 112

Codes 113

Additional Resources 113

Chapter 11 Lighting 115

Review of Basic Lighting Principles 115

Natural Light 116

Artificial Light 119

Occupant Concerns 119

Additional Resources 123

Chapter 12 Interior Finishes + Furniture 125

Healthcare-Specific Considerations 125

Interior Finishes 127

Furniture 129

Additional Resources 131

Chapter 13 Biophilia 133

What It Is….and What It’s Not 133

Why Biophilia Is Important 134

Integrating Biophilic Elements 138

Attributes + Elements of Biophila 138

Application in Healthcare Facilities 141

Additional Resources 141

References 142

Chapter 14 Health + Well-Being 143

What Is Well-Being + Why Is It Important 143

Implications for Medical Facilities 143

Elements + Strategies in Healthcare Settings 144

Rating Systems that Address Well-Being 148

Foundations of a Healthy Building 149

Long-term Implications 150

Additional Resources 150

Appendix I Base Plans 153

Appendix II Assignments and Exercises 161

Glossary 173

Index 181

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