Every life holds equal value. While doctors play a crucial role in preserving lives, designers contribute to creating a comforting healthcare environment, helping patients have a comfortable environment during their stay.

Building a healthcare facility goes beyond the basic concepts of designing workspaces or other commercial buildings. Hospital interior design presents various complications due to the intricate nature of the various services and units involved. The complexity of design arises from the need for expertise in intricate electrical, mechanical, and telecommunication systems, in addition to architectural knowledge. Hidecor is the best interior architect in Bangalore, creating a hospital with thoughtful consideration of the diverse requirements of patients, staff, doctors, and visitors.

How the layout of a hospital changes based on the area of expertise

Hidecor was entrusted with the responsibility of designing the interior for a cancer healthcare facility. “Designing layouts for hospitals versus workspaces requires a nuanced approach. In the healthcare sector, where the threat of disease transmission is significant, our task is to create environments that are not just devoid of dust and allergens but are also tailored to offer the utmost comfort to patients.” says Mr. Anantha, founder of Hidecor.

The primary focus of delivering patient-centric care is establishing an environment that actively promotes the healing process. The design team collaborated with the administration to design a space that exceeded their previous attempts to deliver exceptional services. The objective was to establish a unique level of care unrivalled elsewhere.

Understanding Hospital Architecture: Common Areas

In a cancer centre’s common areas, catering to a diverse audience requires strategic planning. Lobbies, frequented by a high volume of visitors, demand measures such as noise control, durable flooring, and clear wayfinding for enhanced satisfaction.

Placing the reception desk near the entrance and ensuring proximity to wheelchair storage minimises clutter and promotes accessibility. While elaborate artwork is a staple for a positive patient experience, caution is advised with live plants due to potential hazards to patients’ immune systems.

Addressing the challenges of long corridors and creating a perception of shorter distances through design elements is crucial for fatigued patients. Customising chair firmness is essential during cancer treatment, considering patients’ weight loss.

The Hidecor interior design team also pays attention to optimal flooring choices to balance comfort and practicality, using carpet in sitting areas and hard flooring in passages. For waiting areas, providing charging outlets at chair height and designing family areas with comfortable seating and dining facilities enhances the overall ambiance.

Understanding Hospital Architecture: Treatment Spaces

A cancer centre’s treatment areas must maintain a comforting environment while paying close attention to clinical issues like infection prevention. Key treatment area spaces and considerations include:

• Prioritising Hygiene: Installing hand-washing sinks and antibacterial gel stations near each bay to mitigate infection risks during chemotherapy
• Addressing Radiation Vault Concerns: Radiotherapy is an indispensable part of cancer treatment. However, entering the radiation vault may cause anxiety or distress among patients. Thus, it’s essential to plan for long-term equipment needs, considering the immobility of walls due to concrete and lead-shielding requirements. A linac bunker, or linear accelerator (linac) bunker, is set up to protect patients and staff from radiation when they undergo treatment. The bunker usually has sturdy walls built with concrete or other materials that absorb radiation to stop it from spreading. It also has safety features and precise positioning systems to make sure radiation is delivered accurately and targeted, reducing exposure to nearby areas.

• Comfortable Consultation Spaces: A comfortable setting for discussions on diagnoses and treatments aids in alleviating patients anxiety. Creating a home-like ambiance featuring a sofa, carpeted flooring, and soft lighting makes them feel more at ease.
• Preserving Dignity in Exam Rooms: Healthcare must emphasise patient dignity in exam room design by implementing soundproofing measures. Our designers thoughtfully plan door locations, swing directions, and exam table placements to ensure patient privacy.

Understanding Hospital Architecture: Staff Areas

Cancer patients often feel emotionally vulnerable. Therefore, addressing their emotional and psychological needs is crucial. However, the well-being of hospital staff is often overlooked. At Hidecor, we craft spaces with everyone’s comfort in mind.

The design of cancer centre staff areas should prioritise efficiency and safety. Key spaces, like nurses’ stations, must ensure patient privacy while allowing staff visibility. Planning pharmacies and labs should accommodate future growth and evolving technology needs.

How the interior design of healthcare facilities has changed from the past to the present

Over the years, healthcare facility interior design has undergone substantial transformations, adapting to evolving technological landscapes and redefining the very structure of hospitals. The shift is not only evident in the incorporation of advanced technologies but also in the meticulous selection of high-quality materials, aimed at enhancing hygiene and creating a contemporary, patient-friendly atmosphere.

The significance of exterior landscaping has emerged as a parallel concern, contributing to the creation of a safe and healing environment for patients. Recent healthcare designs, especially in the last decade, have been strategically crafted to efficiently respond to emergency situations, such as the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19.

One notable evolution is the integration of isolation wards and rooms, coupled with the capacity to expand emergency departments dynamically. The enduring impact of the pandemic is manifested in architectural adaptations that prioritise efficiency and minimise direct contact between healthcare providers and seekers.

Beyond structural changes, there is a heightened focus on meeting psychological needs. Cancer patients often require hospital stays for prolonged periods. Hence, the incorporation of green concepts, offering visual connectivity to nature, reducing fatigue, and accelerating recovery.

How digital tools and technologies influence healthcare interior design

The integration of new medical practices has become essential. For instance, in the past, operating theatres were cleaned manually with methods like sweeping and heat sterilisation. Today, modern theatres use advanced HVAC systems, positive pressure rooms, HEPA filtration, and laminar airflow. Disposable equipment, sophisticated sterilisation, and strict aseptic protocols contribute to a much cleaner environment, while digital documentation and advanced flooring materials further enhance cleanliness.

The adoption of virtual meetings has not only proven to be a practical solution but has also resulted in significant cost savings, advancing healthcare approaches through telecommunication technologies. The incorporation of cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D printing, robotics, and nanotechnology, coupled with the introduction of state-of-the-art medical equipment, is propelling the healthcare industry forward. This rapid evolution promises not only to cure illnesses but also to contribute to an overall increase in life expectancy.