In the rehabilitation stage of recovery multiple factors integrate in order to achieve full restoration. Day (1990) explains how healing is ‘transformation at the inner most level’, which infers that this is a phase of recovery initiated by the individual. Nevertheless, undoubtedly physical treatments contribute, however, as Day (1990) explains, inner disharmonies must be corrected by the patient themselves for full recovery to occur. In these situations the environment must provide support and stability for the human spirit. Below some of these attributes are explored to understand how buildings can be 'nourishing':
LIGHT
There is a level of aesthetic response that we all share in respect to our environments, our surroundings affect us physically and emotionally. We perceive atmosphere through our emotional sensibility, a poorly designed space can contribute to stress and prolonged periods of sickness, and therefore architecture has a responsibility to its users to minimise such effects (Day 1990).
The quality of lighting in a space defines its character and gives information about the ambiance of a place. Some would even concur that light has healing properties. Beauchemin, and Hays (1996) have investigated this theory by conducting a study to see if light affects length of stay in hospital for bipolar patients. 174 patients with clinical depression were assigned to either sunlit or dimly lit rooms and the results revealed that those in the sunny rooms stayed an average of 16.9 days, compared with 19.5 days for those in the dimly lit rooms. Although there are many other factors involved in the complexity of recovery, this study shows that there is a possible relationship between light and rehabilitation.
The House of Psychiatrics is an example of how light can be successfully implemented in a healthcare setting. The various spaces branch off from the building’s central stem to wrap about exterior courtyards, which in turn floods light into the enveloping space. The interior spaces offer calming varied views of nature and focus on a curative environment to allow for healing with plenty of natural light incorporated (White 2015).
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LAYOUT
Zumphor (2003) outlines that rehabilitation can be translated into architecture with liberty of movement in a spatial art form, whereby calming spaces are places where you feel you can stay and not just pass through. The layout of The Harbour in Blackpool illustrates how creating a fluid public/private space can create this comforting environment, through connecting patients with the exterior community. Once inside all units are accessed from the ‘street’, promoting interactions between clinical needs and resources, and acting as a central hub of activity. This works well in making the patients still feel part of society and not completely segregated from the exterior world (Gilling DOD 2015).
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The Maggie Centre in Nottingham similarly uses layout to create therapeutic space, with the approach of having a central core to the building in which other spaces and activities branch off from (Jencks and Heathcote 2010). This layout works well in creating a heart of the space, in which people come together to congregate and relax, thus creating a therapeutic environment.
Fig. 14
Drawing showing the central heart of the space, the kitchen, from which other spaces branch off.
AESTHETICS
Zumphor (2003) describes architecture as the material presence of things, a membrane that physically covers the body and therefore strongly impacts our emotional sensibility. The North East Foreign Office Maggie Centre is an example of how materiality can be used to alter our emotions; the structure meshes itself with the ground making you feel at one with nature, and therefore forming a sense of shelter and security, both elements that contribute to a calm space.
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COLOUR
Day (1990) believes that colour has universal physical and physiological effects, however, a report published by the Coalition for Health Environments (CHE) (2003) claims that the effect of colour in a healthcare setting is limited. CHE outline that there is no evidence to support a one-to-one relationship between a given colour and an emotional reaction, although studies show a mood-colour connotation, there is little evidence of colours being emotional triggers (Coalition for Health Environments Research, 2003).
Nevertheless, CHE agree that colour mixed with light can alter a person’s perception of visual contrast and therefore influence people’s perceptions of interior environments to a degree. The Nottingham Maggie’s Centre is an example of how colour can influence mood and behaviour, with its playful green exterior giving the sense of a magical building amidst the dull surrounding hospital buildings (Jencks and Heathcote 2010).
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