With the increasing population of the aged, the demand of geriatric hospitals is increasing exponentially. Health issues of the aged also demand various types of well made healing environment. This study aims at suggesting interior design criteria for geriatric hospital bedrooms which can lead the healing environment for mental health. The study explores various interior environment elements and criteria from previous reports and researches, and tries to suggest an original checklist and design guideline for geriatric hospital bedrooms.
The process and result of the study is as follows;
Firstly, WELL Buliding Standard, which has been published in U.S.A, in 2014 as the first standard focusing solely in the health and wellness of building occupants, has been examined. The study compared WELL building standard criteria with healing environment elements which have been examined in Korean researches dealing with the interior environments of geriatric hospitals. It aimed to provide basic standards for the development of Korean interior environment design of geriatric hospital utilizing the brand new standard for human-focused design. WELL strategies and concepts were explored, and 4 concepts(Air, Light, Comfort, Mind), 43 criteria, and 85 parts were selected firstly for healing interior design of geriatric hospitals. Finally, the study generated a big table to compare all the elements and criteria of both WELL and healing environment elements from previous studies.
Secondly, the study established the first matrix of checklist for healing environment of geriatric hospital bedrooms by analysing the big table generated in the first step. In the process of analysis, the study successively excluded the 6 concepts of WELL which are irrelevant to the specific concern of this study. In the end, the concept of ‘Mind’ was selected and utilized to establish the classification system of the checklist. However, some contents of excluded concepts were still used for details of checklist questions.
Thirdly, for the more realistic and objective checklist, the study collected the evaluation and comments on this first checklist from the 40 professionals in both design and medical fields. The study also conducted sample tests of 7 sample geriatric hospitals in Korea to examine the suitability of the checklist. The checklist was proved to be used for hospital bedroom evaluation although some trifling errors were detected and corrected. The checklist was amended considering gathered opinions and test results, and finalized with 48 indicators in four main categories, which were ‘Beauty and Design’, ‘Biophilia Design’, ‘Privacy’ and ‘Community and Information’.
Finally, the study proposed two sample design projects. For that, the checklist was transformed into a design guideline with same contents. The project tried to apply every feature of the result of this study while analysing the site, establishing design concepts, deciding design strategy and elements.
The significance of this study is as follows;
First, this study concentrated on mental, physical and social environment of aged patients in geriatric hospitals instead of conventional concerns of practical interior design and related researches. Residential atmosphere and nature incorporation were the main concerns of this research and proposal.
Second, the study tried to introduce the ideas and contents of WELL Building Standard into Korean practice and academy. The Standard was closely analysed and compared with existing indicators and studies. By applying WELL to the concrete cases of Korean geriatric hospitals, the study explored the possibility of its adaptation in reality.
Third, the study tried to develop a specific checklist for interior environment of geriatric hospitals through various verification of designers and medical specialists. It was also tested through evaluation case study of Korea geriatric hospitals for increasing its objectivity and practicality.
This study aggregated all the scattered studies and ideas around geriatric hospital design, and would be the fist step forward intensive researches for better environment which might help the aged spending better life with both physical and mental health in geriatric hospitals.