Healing Architecture for Sick Kids

Z Kinder Jugendpsychiatr Psychother. 2019 Jan;47(1):27-33. doi: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000635. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Abstract

Scientific data are sparse on hospital design in child and adolescent psychiatry. The present article aims to give an overview of various concepts of hospital design and to develop concepts how architecture can consider the special needs of children and adolescents in their recovery from psychiatric diseases. Literature research is provided from PubMed and collected from architectural and anthroposophic bibliography. Access to daylight and nature, reduced level of noise and an atmosphere of privacy are general principles to support convalescence in patients. Especially in psychiatry, spatial structures and colour can strengthen appropriate social interrelations on both the patient and staff level. Authors suggest that children and adolescents benefit from architectural concepts which consider the issues: Welcome, Path, Territory, Area of Freedom, Outdoor Space, Access to Light, Motion in the Structure and Orientation of Space.

Keywords: Architektur im Krankenhaus; Healing architecture; anthroposophic medicine; anthroposophische Medizin; integrative Medizin; integrative medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent Psychiatry*
  • Child
  • Child Psychiatry*
  • Hospital Design and Construction*
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*