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Spaces Designed to Heal

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
Volume 3 Issue 2

Spaces Designed to Heal

Aditi Goenka
B.Arch. 5th Year Student
Department of Architecture, Anand College of Architecture, Agra
Email: [email protected]

Abstract
This study helps to explore the involvement of architecture in healing, and to provide spaces
where healing can take place. Every human being has an inner connection with the
environment in physical, mental, and emotional aspects. A healing space is a space of one’s
own peace created through all our senses. It can be a physical place that incorporates
calming elements to create a peaceful tranquility in the environment. So that our bodies can
feel relaxed and start to rejuvenate and give us a positive energy to work well. This concept
does not propose that architecture itself has the ability to heal. But it can provide a platform
for other natural factors like sound, light, colour, privacy, and views, to promote a healing
environment that affects the physical and psychological healing of patients. This idea is
concerned about how physical healthcare environment can make a difference in rapid
recovery of the patients. The study includes different techniques through which healing
environments can be achieved inside and outside the healthcare buildings through planning,
orientation, mass, site, interior and exterior, views, and social spaces.

Keywords: architecture, building planning, social spaces, interior, healing, environment

INTRODUCTION light of growing healthcare demand. The

This paper deals with the study of aim is to have a humanizing architecture
improving the quality of life of patients that can positively contribute to the
through sensible design of healthcare healing process. It should make the patient
architecture which increases the healing enjoy the best of bioclimatic comfort.
property of a building. The main aim of Healthcare Design must focus on comfort;
creating such healing spaces is that they well-being and quick healing of patients
can reduce the state of fear, stress and along with satisfying the functional
tension and provides relief which actually requirements. The physical environment of
results in healing of the patient. The study the healthcare facility should firstly do no
is not only based on physical comfort of harm and secondly facilitate healing
patients but deals with psychological and process.
the experience of patients, staff and
visitors in healthcare buildings. As the PREAMBLE
majority of healthcares, have been NEED OF THE STUDY
considered the direct cause to stress, In today’s healthcare architecture there is a
anxiety, frustration and generally longer need to design spaces that can help to
hospitalization due to the unsuited contribute to patients healing. With the
facilities and environments thus there is a rising population and degradation of
need to have focus on improving the environment we are facing an
healthcare designs. unprecedented crisis in physical and
mental health. Population growth being a
This study is done with an idea of having root cause has given rise to a number of
clear and comprehensive information on problems that has created an imbalance in
how to create a healing environment in environment and excess pollution. There is

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
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a need to move beyond optimizing 2. The study is based on literature

parameters such as temperature and through web and books.
humidity, to more holistic approaches to
enhance human well-being. As the design HEALING
of our built environment has a relation The term “healing” is derived from a
with the psychological behaviour of German word “heilen” which essentially
humans it also affects our health and can means to make whole. That is to say,
have long-term implications for quality of healing is not only limited to a physical
life. And as we spend most of our time cure but rather a process which results in
inside the buildings hence the built bringing the body back into balance by
environment needs to be such soothing providing it with the appropriate stimuli
that only by the look of it the mental state and opportunities to become restored to
of a person can be improved and if not wholeness. Thus, healing environments are
improved it does not at least deteriorate designed to promote harmony of mind and
further. Senses can create a link between body. In this dissertation it is imperative
mind and the surroundings to make one not to confuse a healing space with a
relaxed. So it is necessary to have proper hospital. Healing spaces can be found in
designed surroundings for better several different environments and
environment and proper functioning of represented in different ways.
society.
However, healing is not the same as
AIM OF THE STUDY curing. Cure is defined as “a method or
To study and analyze the various aspects course of medical treatment for restoring
to create an environment that can health; a restorative agent (such as a drug);
contribute to healing of mental state, something that relieves or corrects a
recovery, and well-being of humans. harmful or disturbing situation. The need
for healing and curing arises when one is
OBJECTIVES sick or ill. Illness implies a loss of this
 To study about healing architecture. balance and the need for reintegration with
 To study about various elements that can the body’s natural ability to heal and
be used to create a soothing environment regenerate. A person can be healed without
that can contribute to healing. being cured. For example, people with
 To study the psychological impact of terminal diseases, can learn to be at peace
spaces on people and hence healing with them and even live a full life. For
architecture. many, the type of environment they dwell
 To learn to design spaces that can help in in has an effect on their well-being in mind
reducing stress. body and this environment differs with
each person.
SCOPE Healing cannot be understood in isolation
The study deals with various elements from the factors that operate in the
relating the built form that can be used to dynamic life of an individual. These
create a healing environment in include the self, the family, the
healthcares which in turn reduces the community, the environmental context
rehabilitation time and contributes to within which life is carried forth, and the
recovery and well-being of people. world of spirit or essence. In fact, healing
LIMITATIONS is not a process of curing or fixing, but
1. The study is limited to healthcare rather a return to balance between all of
centres. these components. Health, therefore, is

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understood as the presence of this balance; ARCHITECTURAL ENVIRONMENT

illness is its lack. Far from being inert AND HUMAN-BEHAVIOUR
containers, spaces can be understood to be Almost all the places where we spend most
fully participant in the healing experience. of our time everyday are designed to make
It is possible to conceive and create one feel in a certain way. The whole point
structures that heal. of architecture relies on designing spaces
that give a sense to the user along with
HEALING ENVIRONMENTS IN fulfilling the functional needs it does
HEALTHCARE focuses on how one feels in the designed
space. That's why buildings are designed
Traditionally, the emphasis on designing
considering all the aspects and
healthcare settings was on the functional
understanding the users need. If not then
delivery of healthcare (Ulrich 1995).
every building would look the same. The
Gradually, this emphasis shifted towards a physical space defines the way we act in
perspective of designing healthcare any room (Hall 1973 and Rasmussen
environments that are ‘psychologically 1966), and by changing the design, hence
supportive’ (Ruga 1989), also referred to perception a designer can create spaces
as healing environments (Stichler 2001; with positive or negative impacts. We are
Sloan Devlin &Arneill 2003; Schweitzer et unaware of how the spaces we live in
al. 2004). The concept of healing affect our moods. These are very small
environments suggests that the physical decisions that create a large impact on how
environment of healthcare settings “can the space feels. Small spaces make us feel
make a difference in how quickly the constricted, thick walls make us feel safe,
patient recovers from or adapts to specific light spaces make us feel connected,
acute and chronic conditions” (Stichler liberated. The way a building is designed
2001, p.2). make us feel certain things and do certain
things without us knowing that we're
Understanding physical environmental feeling and doing them, that's why an
stimuli in healthcare facilities will allow us expertly designed building is so easily
to create environments that positively spotted. We can do nothing but feel and
emote when surrounded by space.
affect the healing process and well-being
of patients. Healing environments are
It is said that “architecture is the third
claimed to have beneficial effects on a
skin” of the human body, since the first
variety of health indicators, such as skin is the real skin, which acts as the
anxiety, blood pressure, postoperative outer envelope and the filter of the body,
recovery, the use of analgesic medication, then the clothes that act as the second skin,
and the length of stay (Ulrich 1995). which is also considered as an insulation
Moreover, if relatively inexpensive and filter. “So people’s third skin would be
alterations such as introducing plants or the next layer out -usually the building
colours can indeed shorten the length of they are in,” (byElyacoubi, 1999).This
stay, then these environmental changes performs as the surrounded manmade
may also prove to be highly cost effective. environment. This kind of environment-
Previously conducted reviews on this topic the architectural environment- should
(Rubin et al. 1998; Ulrich et al. 2004; Van fulfill the human needs and comply with
den Berg 2005) clearly state that the user requirements. The relation
"environmental stimuli in the healthcare between the surrounding physical
environment affect patient outcomes” environment and behaviour is deep-rooted
and interwoven. “Mary V. Knackstedt, in

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her recently published book, Interior being. Harvard University Press,

Design & Beyond, elaborates on how 2009)After studying their vital signs and
designed interiors affect human behaviour. their pain medication doses it showed that
She argues that interior designers have a the patients that were positioned by the
moral responsibility to the future culture to window needed fewer doses of pain
design interior spaces that positively medication and were healing at a rapid rate
influence the quality of relationships than the others. This meant that hospital
between people and their social and wards provided for treatment facilities in
physical environments.”(Lawrence, 2005) the ward where medication and rest were
provided for, and healing facilities where
Thus the surrounding environment has a one could relax and enjoy nature and the
massive effect on the user, mentally and healthy rays of the sun. In addition, natural
physically. This results that the human sunlight and air were the most effective
behaviour in an architectural space is ways of purifying the air and killing
considered a reaction to the effect of that bacteria.
space on the user and his/her senses.
Therefore, the concern of the architects is Roger Ulrich, who is concerned with the
always to create an appropriate physical effect of the built environment on the well-
environment that helps the user and being of the user, agrees on that and says:
improves his physical and psychological “There is increasing scientific evidence
condition. This fact made Hansard says: that poor design works against the well-
“We shape our buildings and afterwards being of patients” (Ulrich, 1995). In this
our buildings shape us” (Hansard, 1943), perspective, the central goal of architects
and even more. and designers should be to improve
wellness by creating physical surroundings
ARCHITECTURAL HEALING that are “psychologically supportive”
ENVIRONMENTS IN HEALTHCARE (Ruga, 1989).
CENTRES
Healing in psychology, medicine and even By changing the design, hence perception,
nature involves a process where the patient of the healthcares to an inviting, familiar
or the recipient receives a physically and homely environment recognizable for
external antidote in order to help them the patients, it is believed that the
heal. It is then up to the patient to take the conditions for social relationships between
inward step of acceptance and observation patients are improved, and social support
in order to progress the healing. However, in future social spaces are made possible.
if we ignore the qualities of physical Architects with making significant
context it could involuntarily slow the changes in buildings has been found to
healing process. The study published in have a positive influence on patients’
Science magazine in 1984 showed that satisfaction, quality of life, sleeping
when hospital wards looked out to nature patterns, and anger management. Research
the patients healed faster. It was modernist suggests that designing spaces in such a
architect, Roger Ulrich who performed the way in which patients get good enough
experiments that proved that window privacy is beneficial for health. Further,
views could affect healing. Ulrich chose designing places in such a way that gives
46 patients, 23 of which had beds near them an outside view helps in recovery,
windows that overlooked a landscape of especially a daylight view. Additionally,
trees and the other 23 looked onto a brick designing places in a way that gives them
wall4. (Strenernberg, M. Esther, Healing access to nature and outdoors has been
spaces: The science of place and well- found to be therapeutic.

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To promote the speed of postoperative  Offers options and choices to enhance

recovery and to improve the quality of life feelings of being in control - these may
during hospitalizations, it is important to include privacy versus socialization,
provide patients with not only the best lighting levels, type of music, seating
treatment possible, but also to remove such options, quiet versus 'active' waiting areas;
sources of stress and to counter them with  Provides opportunities for social support -
positive distractions that have soothing and seating arrangements that provide privacy
stress-reducing effects. Viewing nature or for family groupings, accommodation for
having plants present has been considered family members or friends in treatment
an effective positive distraction that may setting; sleep-over accommodation in
provide ample involuntary attention, patient rooms;
increase positive feelings, block or reduce  Provides positive distractions such as
worrisome thoughts, and promote interactive art, fireplaces, aquariums,
restoration from stress (Ulrich, 1992) Internet connection, music, access to
 Eliminates environmental stressors such as special video programmes with soothing
noise, glare, lack of privacy and poor air images of nature accompanied by music
quality; developed specifically for the healthcare
 Connects patients to nature with views to setting; and
the outdoors, interior gardens, aquariums,  Engenders feelings of peace, hope,
water elements, etc.; reflection and provides opportunities for
relaxation.

PLANNING PARAMETERS
CONVINIAL ENTRANCE

Fig1: Mukthangan De-Addiction Centre, Pune

In many instances, the entrance situation feel unworthy of neatness and a decent
has been a neglected point in the design of reception.
healing spaces. Descriptions from the
world of psychiatry testify to obscure, In Architect Sirish Beri’sMuktangan de-
shabby entrances next to loading bays and addiction centre, Pune, he disposed
waste bin rooms. This has the effect of transparent entrance to have controlled
degrading the patient, making him / her flow of traffic and the easy supervision.

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The recessed entrance with the integrated From this precedent, the coherence
landscape and the flight of steps give the between the entrance and the good first
sense of welcoming entrance. He also impression is interpreted the basic intent to
housed kitchen and other services at the make it as simple as possible for the
rear side of the site to allow service access, patient to seek care.
without any chaos in the main entrance.

FREE AND OPEN ATMOSPHERE

Fig2: Mukthangan, Pune, and Amphitheatre Space

One of the very foremost challenges the intensively researched at present the
architect has to face is that of “creating a possibility of moving about, feeling space
free and open atmosphere” – which again and breathing one’s fill of fresh air or
is a proposal to achieve something which having a smoke alleviates the sense of
will feel normal. The design for healthcare confinement and increases the possibility
unit can be such that it does not create of physical activity. Views from individual
discomfort to the users. Compact and rooms and social areas, but also from
clumsy spaces create a negative impact corridors, help to achieve healing.
and so such spaces can be created that may Windows which can be opened give us
be used as social experiences and allows a birdsong and natural fresh air.
patient to choose, for example, between
seclusion and sociability. Dead ends PUBLIC SPHERE ENVELOPES THE
should if possible be avoided. PERSONAL SPHERE
Giving the possible privacy with some
DIRECTLY ACCESSIBLE GREEN social spaces are necessary and are stated
Nature has a rehabilitating effect on all of as a basic qualification of rapid recovery.
us, included the people with mental illness. But constant withdrawal and always
This insight appears to have grown of late, keeping oneself to oneself so as to be
among other things because rehabilitation spared social contacts and confrontations
in a natural setting has proved highly is often one of the symptoms of mental
successful in connection with fatigue illness, and so care is concerned with
depressions. The subject is being developing the patient’s social capacity.

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Fig3: Mukthangan, Pune, and public space.

The social element also has to be gradually also in Mukthangan rehabilitation centre
stepped up, but of course depending on with the help of well lit amphitheatre space
individual circumstances. The design of in the centre enclosed by rough wall to
the physical environment, accordingly, give those agitated people a sense of
must underpin the individual patient’s protection.
gradual enlargement of his / her personal
sphere. From the patient’s own bed to the ELEMENTS OF HEALING
open door, to dropping in on the person in COLOUR
the next room and sitting down in the Scientifically, colour is defined as “a
social corner to talk. Joining meals and specific visual sensation produced by
communal activities, having talks with a visible radiation, or colour stimulus that
social worker or doctor. occurs when light from a natural or
artificial source is interrupted by an object
Seclusion is a concept which can also be or a dust particle” (Meervein, Rodeck,
used when we architects talk of the &Mahnke, 2007, p. 4) There is power in
communal spaces. There we should shape colour. Each colour has ability to affect
the rooms, or shape “rooms within the architectural planes which allows it the
room”, make small niches or seating areas power to accentuate shapes and forms.
of varied character where people can “take Also it can contradict the true form and
a pew”. Normally speaking, mentally ill expression the building wants to be.
persons have a larger bubble of personal Colour can imply proud architecture or
territory. But the places created must still display the building as abstract art. With
make people feel encompassed and secure. the many applications of colour, it has the
In NIMHANS, Bengaluru I observed that power to change our environment to make
patient rooms are zoned near open spaces a connection with our environment, body,
with the natural elements like trees, mind, and spirit. Leonardo da Vinci
sunlight and gentle wind to heal their believed that the power of meditation
agitation. The language of making public increases 10 times when done in a purple
activity inside the private spaces are done light, as in the purple light of stained glass.

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Colour psychology has also been identified to evoke and stimulate certain emotional
as a tool capable of improving human responses and use it as a tool to control the
behaviour, moods and emotions. Dalke has experience of space as desired. Colours
discovered that both architecture and have the ability to invoke in us a variety of
colour have the ability to visually moods. Although not everybody will have
stimulate patients and the surrounding the same feelings seeing a certain colour
society; this can provoke and elevate the psychological effects are shared by the
positive or negative emotions. majority. While perceptions of colour are
somewhat subjective; there are some
Architecture should integrate the power of colour effects that have universal meaning.
colour into modern healing environments

Fig4: Colour Wheel

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Fig5: ColourTheory and Relationships

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 Colours in the red area of the colour colours are often described as calm, but
spectrum are known as warm colours can also call to mind feelings of sadness
and include red, orange and yellow. or indifference.
These warm colours evoke emotions  These cool colours are typically
ranging from feelings of warmth and considered restful. There is actually a
comfort to feelings of anger and bit of scientific logic applied to this –
hostility. because the eye focuses the colour
 Colours on the blue side of the green directly on the retina, it is said to
spectrum are known as cool colours and be less strainful on your eye muscles.
include blue, purple and green. These

Fig6: Emotinal Responses to Different Colours

COLOUR IN PHYSIOLOGY body (Shehata, 2000). It could affect not

Each colour and colour combination has only people’s emotions but also their brain
its own sensation. They individually or as waves, hearth rates, blood pressures and
in relation to each other have a potential of respiratory rates (Kaiser, 1984; Martinson
becoming eye irritants and causing &Bukoski, 2005), secretions of hormones,
headaches. Their appropriate usage can reactions to stresses, the autonomic
maximize productivity and relax the whole nervous system and the cerebral cortex

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where emotions are located (Jin et al., stabilize the heart, muscles and
2009). In their study, Jin et al. (2009) bloodstream; used to treat burns, skin
reported that the red colour appeared to diseases, glaucoma, measles and chicken
have the most effect on emotional changes pox, and throat problems; Green:
and directly affected subjects’ Strengthens bones and muscles, disinfects
parasympathetic nerve system activity bacteria and virus, and relieves tension;
which adjusted the blood pressure, the used to treat malaria, back problems,
heart rate and the respiratory rates below cancer, nervous disorders, and ulcers, and
the normal level. The effect of colours on to manage heart problems and blood
physiological functions of the body has pressure. (O’Connor, 2011)
been effectively used as colour therapy in
various medical fields such as depression Colour psychology is concerned with the
and cancer. effects of colour on mood, emotion,
behaviour. Certain colours can raise blood
Red: Activates the circulation system and pressure, increase metabolism, or cause
benefits the five senses; used to treat colds, eye strain. Research has shown that when
paralysis, anemia, ailments of the our eyes connect with a colour, our brains
bloodstream and ailments of the lung; release different chemicals that impact us
Blue: Raises metabolism; is used to on a physical and emotional level.

Fig7: Basic Colour Psychologies

Research has been done by conducting of colours is very important to be known

various surveys regarding the by considering the people who are going to
psychological impact of various colours on use the place the function of the place and
people. How colours can create a positive other factors.
or negative behaviour in people. The use

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Fig8: Emotions in Red Room Fig9: Emotions in Grey Room

Fig10: Emotions In Green Room Fig11: Emotions In Blue Room

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Fig12: Different Spaces with Use of Red

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The colour blue is suggested for high- RED

traffic rooms or rooms that people will - Ceiling: Intruding, disturbing, heavy
spend more time. - Walls: Aggressive, advancing
- Floor: Conscious, alert, pompous
Blue is typically a calming and serene Red can also give energizing effect and is
colour, said to decrease respiration and used in case of trendy fast-food joints,
lower blood pressure. The bedroom is a pubs etc. However, over use of red can add
great place to use these colours as they complexity to space and hence should be
should help you relax. carefully used.

Fig13: Bright Yellow In Combination With White Looks Bright And Clean.

YELLOW  Because of high visibility, yellow is

-Ceiling: Luminous used for safety indicators.
- Walls: Exiting to irritating  It can give fresh feeling when used
- Floor: Elevating, diverting appropriately. A good colour for
kitchen or part of children's room.

Fig14: Spaces with Brown Colour

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BROWN  Brown can be timeless and classy as

- Ceiling: Oppressive and heavy if dark. well as modern at the same time.
- Walls: Assuring if wood is used.  Brown is used in many ways
- Floor: Steady, stable. throughout interiors and fashion
 Brown works well as natural colour world.
for wood, mud etc  Brown lighter to darker tones, brown
 Brown paint is not as comfortable. can be versatile and blend well with
other hues.

Fig15: Spaces with Use of Green

GREEN - Floor: Soft, relaxing if softer tones are

- Ceiling: Protective, disturbing if too used.
bright or dark. Green works well as natural colour for leaf
- Walls: Cool and calm if mild, can be etc.
irritating if dark. Green paint is not as comfort, if dark.

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Fig16: Spaces with Use of Black

BLACK COLOUR AND THERAPY

- Ceiling: Hollow to oppressive. Colour has the power to influence brain
- Walls: Ominous, dungeon like. activity, heart rate, muscular tension and
- Floor: Odd, abstract. other functions related to the nervous
The use of black on walls requires two system. It also produces emotional and
things courage and well-designed spaces. aesthetic responses that can be either
Black painted walls or even some black therapeutic or harmful. It is essential to
accents can change the appearance of understand that different emotions are
space interiors. High ceilings or a lot of triggered by different colours, and in order
natural light are prerequisites for the use of to enhance the level of people’s well-
black on walls, but even smaller spaces being, we need to be able to distinguish the
can look modern and elegant if all the spectrum of colours and their effects on
other elements are chosen to contrast and human health.
enhance the effect of dark walls. A smaller Red: brings warmth and excitement. It
space can painted in light hues (e.g. white) enhances blood circulation and pressure,
to feel more spacious or it can be painted and can be beneficial at the physical
dark (e.g. black) to accentuate its exercise places, but, it should be kept away
character. from the calming and relaxation areas such
as meditation rooms and study spaces.

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Activates the circulation system and major impact on human’s feelings, and the
benefits the five senses; used to treat colds, control of light is considered essential in
paralysis, anemia, ailments of the order to promote a healthy environment.
bloodstream and ailments of the lung. (Ibid, 201)
Yellow: brings happiness and mental
creativity. It can help with issues related to The built environment needs to utilize
depression, tension, mental and nervous natural lighting by providing architectural
exhaustion. Yellow can be beneficial at elements that bring light into the interior,
libraries and study areas. such as skylights, courtyards, and atriums,
Blue: brings stillness, serenity and faith. It in order to maximize interaction between
reduces blood pressure, heart beat and building users and sunlight. Moreover,
brain waves. Blue can be used in calming daylight, when approached correctly,
environments such as meditation, but it brings energy and joy into buildings,
isn’t useful in social and communal areas. keeping in mind that the amount of light
Raises metabolism; is used to stabilize the varies from activity to another. (Carol
heart, muscles and bloodstream; used to Venolia, Healing Environments: Your
treat burns, skin diseases, and glaucoma, Guide to Indoor Well-Being (Berkeley:
measles and chicken pox, and throat Celestial Arts, 1988), 54) For instance,
problems. social and gathering spaces can accept a
White: brings purity, positivity and higher amount of daylight than a library
innocence. It is believed that white has the space.
power of enhancing the spiritual
characteristics when added to any colour. Daylight, as known, is time dependent; it
White suggests coolness and cleanliness changes over the day and over the seasons.
Green: Strengthens bones and muscles, Buildings should be aware of the direction
disinfects bacteria and virus, and relieves and the angles of sun in order to control its
tension; used to treat malaria, back orientation. For example, North orientation
problems, cancer, nervous disorders, and should be utilized when building in the
ulcers, and to manage heart problems and southern hemisphere to allow for direct
blood pressure. (O’Connor, 2011, p. 231) sun exposure, stating that south facing
rooms will not be exposed to direct sun
LIGHT AND THERAPY light and their interior environment might
“The more living the light the more feel dull and cold.( Christopher Day, Spirit
appealing the places” (Ibid, 202).It is and Place: Healing our Environment
commonly known that sunlight is highly (Oxford: Architectural Press, 2002), 201)
beneficial to human’s health. The majority
of people nowadays experience low It is worth mentioning that daylight when
exposure to sunlight, as most professions entering the building is exposed to other
require workers to stay indoors. (Ibid, 193) factors that may change its perception,
such as colours and textures of surfaces.
Organs responsible for hormonal The way we perceive daylight is
regulation also benefit from daylight and dependent on these elements which
when it lacks, depression and other contribute in enhancing moods and senses.
physical and social issues start to develop. (Ibid, 204)
Natural light and interior lighting have a

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Fig17: Windows And Skylights Fig18: Internal Courtyards

TEXTURE together); an external, tactile texture which

Texture defines as the surface character of is directly affected by the internal
all materials determined by their actual composition (glass is smooth, but
physical structure. Everything surrounding engraved glass is rough to the touch); and
us has an internal, structural texture (grain a visual texture or design which may be
within a wood moulding holding it manually applied to the surface (i.e.:

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printed fabrics or marbled papers). Texture This psychological reaction allows us

and pattern are intricately intertwined; a to mentally feel without ever actually
brick wall has a distinct pattern which can touching a given item. This establishes the
also be felt when touched. People often difference
react to textures in psychological ways. between tactile and visual textures.

IMPORTANCE OF TEXTURE

Fig19: Creates A Tactile Response, Evoke Memories and Add Realism

Fig20: Creates Mood Fig21: Adds Visual Interest

TACTILE TEXTURES surface of the rock remains smooth to the

Actual alterations in a plane which may be touch but is visibly textured by the
felt when touched are tactile textures in the physical composition of the stone with
strictest sense of the word. flecks of colour under its surface. Mat
board examples would be Flannel,
VISUAL TEXTURES Palazzo, or Faux Marble finishes which
Variations in light and dark on a remain rather smooth to the touch yet
smooth or rough surface which are two- appear rougher. Visual textures are most
dimensional in nature are visual textures, common in framing design, if for no other
such as a smooth piece of granite. The

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
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reason than the inability to touch the inner  Visual: Appeals to our perception,
parts of framed artwork. what a texture might feel like.
 Tactile: Actual alterations in a plane
Reflective Surfaces which may be felt when touched are
Colours can look brighter, stronger and tactile textures.
possibly even lighter when seen on
reflective surfaces such as glass, mirror SMOOTH, SOFT, SHINY, FLAT
and metals. Our perception of a colour’s EMOTIONAL EFFECTS
temperature can also alter under different Sophisticated and sleek.
lighting, at different times of day and  Smooth and soft are cool, friendly,
when seen in relation to other colours: inviting, tranquil and precise.
 Often unnoticeable and undemanding
Light-Reflective Textures  Smooth textured surfaces reflect light.
A variety of textures is important when They make an object feel lighter and
working with intense colours as they move more modern textures such as silk,
light around and can bring darker shades to paints with sheen, glazed, or glossy
life. finish mirrors and metals bounce light
Textures in design can be of two different around the room.
kinds:

EFFECTS OF COLOUR IN REFERENCE TO TEXTURE

Fig22: Effects of Colour in Reference to Texture

 Colours on these surfaces tend to look from cool and contemporary to warm
brighter, stronger, and possibly even and cozy or vice versa.
lighter.
 The way light reflects off the surface ROUGH HARD MATTE COARSE
can drastically change the colour. For BUMPY UNEVEN
example, in a small, dark room, EMOTIONAL EFFECTS
furnishings with smooth, shiny finishes Rough textures will attract attention,
will impart a reflective quality and activate eye movement but can
give the space a sense of natural light a overshadow the use of form.
blue wall could warm up by applying  Textures that are hard, rough,
texture to it, or cool down a red inconsistent are less formal livelier and
Cabinet by applying a glossy varnish outgoing.
over it. Polished marble cladding will  A hard texture will evoke emotional
appear lighter than timber reactions of strong, vigorous feeling
 Paneling, despite the reverse being true often masculine in nature they add
Combined with the use of colour, the weight to the room creating closed and
overall atmosphere can be transformed cozy feel.
 It creates intimacy.

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 The effect of this type of visual angle, creates a different visual effect
partitioning makes a room feel smaller. forming highlights and shadows. They
reflect light differently from one angle
EFFECTS OF LIGHT in a room than from another,
Never reflect light, so they often have a  This can give the room discrete
warming effect by adding weight. vantage points that may differ greatly
 Rough textures will help balance the from one another. The roughness is
excess of natural light. emphasized when the surface is viewed
 Gives light variations without the need up close and grazed with light which
of more colours. highlights the texture through shadows
 Changing the angle from which light and light spots.
hits the textured surface, and the view

EFFECTS OF COLOUR

Fig23: Light-absorbing Texture

These are Light-absorbing textures, WATER

however make colours look darker and Huelat writes about the importance of
more subtle Light-filtering textures such as water as, “Water is symbol of the vitality
slatted blinds, shutters, sheer fabrics in life and is a key to the sacredness of a
diffuse the light which tends to give healing architecture. Water can be
colours greater delicacy. The texture of a metaphorical of peace, tranquility and
fabric will affect the appearance of colour calm. Conversely, it is also associated with
because of the way in which different vitality, fertility, abundance, fluidity and
textures absorb and reflect light off their movement. Water opens up the
surface: A rough-textured fabric will cast contemplative nature of the soul and helps
shadows upon itself – affecting the to elicit memories and a sense of
appearance of the colours’ temperature. belonging. Because water is a feminine
Wool is a light absorbing texture and so energy, it is also associated with the land
will make the colour look warmer and and with the genius loci”.
more intense.

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Fig24: Wood Winds Hospital, Barcelona, View of Water Body

LANDSCAPE careful alignment with the forces of earth,

A healing garden is a link to the divine, to water, air and fire. It implies recognition of
the creative force of the Cosmos. A orientation in space in a cosmological
healing garden needs to work with Nature sense, and of the anthrop cosmic
and its forms: it should discourage rigidity, relationship between man and the larger
conceptual thinking, and preconceived body of the planet, its creatures, and the
notions of design. It must recognize the invisible forces behind material reality. It
polarities and organic forms present in can also include formal religious allusions
nature. Consequently, it needs to avoid as well as iconographic additions. Its end
straight lines, sheer volumes and planes, product is a space where many activities
and excessive use of symmetry. are possible: stillness / movement,
contemplation / interaction, wonder /
A healing garden is a micro cosmos of the discovery, mystery / creation, relaxation /
larger world: each feature in the garden work.
has the power to represent a larger feature
in the landscape: mountains, rivers, lakes. Gardens should encourage healing through
It is through this holistic modeling that a the interaction of patients with healers,
healing garden can stimulate the senses, family and friends, the old with the young,
improve vitality, and promote recuperation staff and colleagues, and even the act of
from physical, emotional, mental and being in solitude. The garden also needs to
spiritual illness. provide subspaces and seating
arrangements that allow gathering in larger
A successful healing garden is a co- groups. It needs natural, spatially enclosed
creative process in which humans and settings for talk and conversation. A
Nature are intimately connected through healing garden should afford opportunities
the bonds of reciprocity and stewardship. to make choices: private areas and public
A healing garden is a symbol of the spaces, contemplation and people
possibilities, obstacles, and hardships that watching, various walking routes, different
need to be overcome in order to reach kinds of seating, interaction with humans
higher levels of consciousness and a sense and nature, participation in the garden’s
of our own divinity and interconnectedness maintenance. A Healing garden should
with all that is Healing is achieved through allow its users to experience a sense of

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control: users must know it exists, how to

gain access to it, they should be able to use Design needs to create opportunities for
it in ways they prefer. They should enjoy a movement and exercise; this brings
sense of physical and psychological physical and emotional benefits and helps
security. Design should encourage clarity to combat depression. Create paths for
of layout and movement. The garden walking, make the garden visible from
should provide a sense of enclosure and a corridors that can also be used for
special entrance to convey a feeling of exercise, place rehabilitation units in view
structure, permanence and groundedness. of the garden or nature, add a walking or
It should avoid dead end paths and jogging route for staff.
complex formations.

 A person feels comfortable and  No definition of enclosed space, no

surefooted when standing on or sense of privacy, no protection from
walking across a level land-form objectionable sights and sounds, no
 No extra energy has to be expended to defense against sun and wind Must be
balance their weight altered and/or other design element to
 Lack of the third dimension of a level alleviate the problems
landform Creates an open, spacious,  Landform may be built up in the form
exposed feeling of earth mounds or berks to screen out
displeasing objects or scenes

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INFLUENCE MOVEMENT  Slope of the ground surface increases

 To influence the direction, speed, and movement more difficult
rhythm of both pedestrian and  Circulation across sloped surfaces
vehicular movement should be minimized
 The level landform permits the greatest  To affect the rate of movement in a
degree of flexibility in movement design

MATERIALS associated with the concept of natural

Materiality has a direct influence on the environments. Another material like sand
overall sense of the environment. has a therapeutic value to it, soft to touch,
Materials have the ability to affect the and gentle on feet. However, stone is cool
sound environment, circulate movement, and smooth to touch, but hard on feet.
increase /decrease comfort, and various When the materials become integrated in
other actions. With this, the form in which the program, the quality of the materials
the material becomes a part of will also will embody the vision of the space and
determine the powers of its placement. The become another dimension in the healing
associated dimensions of the material also environment. Other, not usually thought to
will play a factor in the design. For be materials, like light, sky, water, and
instance, wood is a material that retains vegetation will be manipulated with the
heat, is soft and comforting, and can be built environment to evoke specific

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
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responses in order to stimulate the mind day sooner than those with views of a
and its perceptual visioning of a space. brick wall. Not only had that, but the
patients with nature views required fewer
Ulrich found that patients whose beds doses of moderate and strong pain
were located beside windows with views medications. The results were dramatic
of a small stand of trees left hospital a full and statistically significant.'

ANALYSIS plan layout

A homely and safe house at all levels – Use natural materials
– Lots of daylight Niches are the major element for
– Integration of open spaces both visually connection.
and recreationally It gives a sense of privacy and comfort.
– Easy and clear orientation in the house – Ensure that the house evoke both
– Good acoustics in relation to both curiosity and simultaneously creates trust
materials and layout – Ensure variation so that users can choose
– Ensure both spatial coherence and a clear rooms to suit their individual needs

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
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SPACES FOR EVERYONE space , materials and textures, spaces and

 The users vary from kids to elder their connection to nature have been found
people. Some are disabled while others to be most significant which needs to be
come to exercise. Some come to meet thoughtfully considered and carefully
other patients casually while others decided. Every single decision affects
seek privacy and counselling. human behaviour and so it is necessary to
 Therefore all spaces in the house are have a building planned so that it becomes
designed individually according to the a benefit to the user individually and
function and creating a variation in socially. A physical structure is the space
atmosphere and contact to where most of the time is spent so it
neighbouring spaces. depends on the architect to create
buildings that may have positive response
MAJOR FACTORS to the wellbeing of people.
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Hindustan Times.” Accessed May 7, 13. Whitaker, Steven. “In What Ways Can
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