Dorothy House Hospice Care’s Post

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to deliver a third commission for Dorothy House Hospice Care. Last year, I created a large nature-based design for the back of reception, which was unveiled alongside the renovation of the space, providing a calming welcome for all who visit, work, or stay. I also designed the property bags for patient belongings. This time, my focus was on the ambulance entrance. The two designs are thoughtfully centered around the needs of patients and families. The first design is for the large window overlooking the courtyard, while the second is for the ceiling above, offering a peaceful view for those arriving on a bed. The ceiling design mimics the tree canopy found within the beautiful grounds of Dorothy House, a gentle distraction and a moment of calm for patients and their families, particularly during out-of-hours visits. The designs were developed in close consultation with staff, ensuring they reflect the needs of the space and its users. Some of the plants were specifically chosen by the clinical team, adding a collaborative touch to the designs. Hospices are facing increasing challenges in securing sufficient support from the government right now, which can make large-scale renovations feel out of reach. Yet, the importance of creating patient-centered spaces that offer comfort and dignity cannot be overstated. Thoughtful design improvements, even within existing structures, can transform the environment and make a meaningful difference to the lives of those receiving care. I really hope the designs bring a sense of comfort to everyone who passes through these spaces. Thanks to Artworks for the printing and installation and SmartDesign studio for the excellent visualisation to put my design into. #biophilic #BiophilicDesign #calm #nature #patientcare #hospice #hospicecare #ambulanceentrance #welcome #reassurance #distraction #consultation #engagement #treecanopy #garden #heathcaredesign #DesignForWellbeing #designforwellbeing #PatientCentredDesign #StaffCollaboration

A standardised design approach may not work for all healthcare spaces. Healthcare spaces must cater to the specific needs of each patient category. For example, designing healthcare spaces for children requires us to consider their unique environmental perception and associated behaviour. Between the ages of three and fourteen, children develop familiarity with basic shapes, nature trees, and colours. Therefore by including functional and visual elements in healthcare spaces can enhance the well-being of young patients. Such elements can be incorporated into the design of paediatric clinics and hospitals. A paediatric healthcare space should be rendered with a balance of colourful yet calming tones. What other design strategies can help in creating these healing spaces? I would love to hear your opinions. #HealingSpaces #Architecture #Children #Paediatric #ClinicDesign #SpacesForChildren

Creating welcoming and comfortable environments supports both patients and their loved ones. Check out this article to see how innovative design is transforming healthcare spaces. #architecture #healthcare #healthcarefacilities #wellness #design

💡 I was recently stopped in my tracks by a client’s question: “Does it have to smell like a hospital?” What does a hospital smell like? Immediately my mind jumped to the decongestant whiff of most new-build hospitals, then to the uniquely musty notes of older estates, eddying below a fug of toilet bleach – hardly welcoming aromas! And it’s not just smells that assail us when we visit healthcare settings. Perhaps the most relentless sensory violation we receive is to our eyes. Signs on signs on signs – like Russian dolls, only with less charm; fixtures and fittings without any common thread of materiality or design, and colour schemes of insipid pastels or as garish as a CEO’s golfing trousers. Not to mention the strange attachment the NHS has to purple, a colour rarely celebrated in the world of interior design... Failing to consider how a positive sensory experience helps to foster a sense of security and wellbeing will lead to thoughtless design. It’s well established that sensory overload can lead to increased anxiety. Many other publicly accessible buildings have worked it out, perhaps because there is more willingness to challenge received opinion and established guidance. Does the proliferation of signage in hospitals make our buildings safer or more accessible? Of course not. And a shiny, cathedral-like entrance space might look impressive in a news article or on a political campaign trail, but if it leaves users confused and covering their ears, it needs a rethink. In our his latest column in FORTIS magazine, Jaime Bishop questions why a visit to a healthcare setting is often an assault on the senses. 📚 Read COMMON SENSES in full for free at www.fortismagazine.co.uk Jaime is the Lead Architect for Health Spaces, Director of Fleet Architects Ltd and Chair of Architects For Health. He has held roles as a non-executive director for the City and London NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and on the board of an NHS Foundation Trust. #NHS #sensory #hositalspaces #healthcare

How a speedy recovery, calming moments to connect with others and restorative places contribute to postive outcomes in the delivery of care. The outdoor places at our outpatient and acute care facilities connect us with nature, fresh air, sunlight that reduces recovery times, lowers our BP, improves cognition and other benefits associated healing and improved well-being. Starting with a patients point of view on experiencing a positive outcome in the delivery of healthcare. From getting an appointment to actually receiving care involved 18 people. In those moments In my next post I will share how the outdoor place can support the delivery of healthcare resulting in positive outcomes. For more technical insights - https://lnkd.in/eXhWnDh2 #Design #Experience #Nature #Outdoor #Place #Healthcare The Center for Health Design American Society of Landscape Architects American Society of Interior Designers - ASID The American Institute of Architects (AIA) #PatientExperience #NurseBurnout #HealingEnvironment

Transforming Patient Care Spaces There’s so much more to decor than meets the eye, especially in healthcare. The atmosphere of a space directly impacts how patients feel and respond to treatment. I’ve seen patients enter sterile, impersonal rooms filled with anxiety, only for their tension to melt away in spaces that feel more personal and welcoming. At Only Imagine Balloon Decor, every design I create is with this understanding in mind—decor isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good. Soft, flowing balloon installations, paired with soothing colors, can turn any clinical environment into a calming, healing space. The emotional comfort patients feel is just as important as the medical care they receive. Let’s design a space that supports both physical and emotional recovery. Ready to transform your patient care environment? Let’s chat. >>> calendly.com/onlyimagine3 <<< #PatientWellness #HealingSpaces #OnlyImagine

At Kauvery Hospital, the design philosophy revolves around patient-centered care, where architecture plays a vital role in the healing process. The layout prioritizes smooth accessibility for patients, staff, and visitors, ensuring a stress-free environment. With clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, we foster an atmosphere of calm and order. Every design element, from the color palette to natural light, is carefully selected to reduce anxiety and promote well-being, creating a space that truly supports healing. The design embraces color therapy, using warm golds for optimism and vibrant pinks for emotional healing, balanced with calming whites and nature-inspired greens to create a soothing atmosphere. The walls are painted not just keeping in mind the color therapy but also the health of the patients with utilization of anti-microbial paints throughout the building. Kauvery Hospital blends form and function seamlessly, using strategic design, vibrant antimicrobial paints, and innovative layouts to enhance healthcare delivery and break the monotony of traditional hospital environments. This isn’t just a building—it’s a healing space engineered for excellence and patient well-being. #HealthcareDesign #PatientCenteredCare #ArchitectureForHealing #ModernMinimalism #KauveryHospital #HospitalArchitecture

Mobility and accessibility are critical issues in senior living centers. Many seniors struggle with mobility, making it essential for furniture to be designed with accessibility in mind. The Consequences of Inadequate Furniture Design Imagine a senior struggling to get out of a chair that is too low or lacks proper armrests. The risk of falls and injuries increases, leading to a decrease in their independence and quality of life. Not to mention, caregivers face additional strain and potential injury from assisting residents in and out of inadequate furniture. The Solution: Sierra Bariatric Arm Chair The Sierra Bariatric Arm Chair from Holsag is designed to address these challenges head-on. Ready to enhance the comfort and safety of your residents? Learn more about how the Sierra Bariatric Arm Chair can make a difference in your senior living center by visiting the product page. ( https://bit.ly/3WPmTIR) Explore its features and see how it can transform your residents' daily lives. #SeniorLiving #MobilitySolutions #ElderCare #AccessibleDesign #SeniorSafety #BariatricFurniture #SeniorWellbeing #ComfortAndCare #AgingInPlace #HealthcareFurniture

Understanding and Implementing the New National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines The journey to develop the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines started back in November 2021 with a discussion paper. A design survey followed in March 2022, and a feedback paper was provided to the sector in June of that year. Submissions for provider input opened in August 2023, along with a design competition to test, refine, challenge, and validate the principles...so here we are, 2 years and 8 months later, with the final guidelines. 👏 👏 If you have not followed the journey, it's time to take a moment and really digest what this means to your home or homes. (maybe it's locked doors in memory support communities, multi-bed rooms, shared bathrooms, badly lit corridors.) These principles and guidelines have been developed in response to the Aged Care Royal Commission 'Recommendation 45-Improving the design of aged care accommodation'. (see the image below) The four key principles include: 👉 Enable the Person: Support health, wellbeing, and sense of identity. 👉 Cultivate a Home: Create familiar environments with privacy and control. 👉 Access the Outdoors: Ensure access to outdoor spaces for health and engagement. 👉 Connect with Community: Promote social connections with family, friends, and the community. It's great that the department has now formally introduced these principles and guidelines as of 1st July, but amid rising construction and refurbishment costs, I do wonder how are providers going to meet these requirements. Time to start thinking outside the📦 with the resources available. A few useful links; 🔗 National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines -https://lnkd.in/gHPTHzWH 🔗 Reimagining Where We Live design competition - https://lnkd.in/gsGiWt-E 🔗 Webinar link 'Improving aged care homes through design' https://lnkd.in/gW2CdC2r #leadersenablingleaders #nationalagedcaredesignprinciplesandguidelines #agedcareaccomodation #agedcareaustralia

The before and after of our clinic renovation. A very-much needed transformation, indeed. For your design and construction needs, Polymath Builders can help you out! #ClinicInterior #MedicalClinicDesign #HealthcareFacility #ClinicFitout #MedicalOfficeInteriors #HealthcareInteriors #PatientExperience #FunctionalDesign #HealingSpaces #MedicalFitout #InteriorDesignHealthcare #MedicalPractice #HospitalityHealthcare #ClinicalEnvironment #PatientComfort #ModernClinic #ErgonomicDesign #WellnessDesign