School of Planning and Architecture: Vijayawada

(An institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India)

S.No. 71/1, NH-5, Nidamanuru, Vijayawada 521 104, Andhra Pradesh, India

Architectural Design
Architecture of Health Spaces
For design is about the making of things, that are memorable and have presence in the
world of the mind. It makes demand upon our ability both to consolidate information or
knowledge and deploy it imaginatively to creative purpose in the pursuit of fresh information.
The formulation of models and their subsequent criticism, is perhaps our most useful guide
in deciphering the knowledge of the whiteboard (i.e. mysterious of the creative
process......................)
Therefore as we consider the interrelationship of art , technology and sciences as a function
of design, it may be helpful to be reminded of the advice given by Aristotle:
it is not everything that can be proved, otherwise the chain of proof would be endless. You
must start with things admitted but undemonstrable, these are first principles common to all
sciences, which are called axioms or common opinions
The making of things, from the simplest to the most complex of crafts, involves method.
Skills in problem solving are needed by all who work with hands, their senses, their brains.
Such processes are conditioned by the human state, the whole human experience, and are
not the prerogative of a particular field of activity or interest.
-courtesy.. Logic and Design by Krome Barat

To design a building is to synthesize a broad range of fundamental concerns:human

accomodotion, construction integrity, the economy of means and questions of appearance
and aesthetics. We are consciously committed to the search for an architecture capable of
enhancing life and providing a sense of inspiration and engagement to its inhabitants. The
link between our projects has been the design processes that created them. Each building
derives its form from a very specific architectural response to its programmatic intent, site,
environmental conditions and dialogue with its patrons
-Architect Balakrishna.V.Doshi

An introduction to Architecture of Health Spaces:

Health care has

come a long way since Florence Nightingale tended the wounded

soldiers in the Crimean war. Back then, it was largely tender loving care. There wasnt
enough treatment and health care; now in some places, there is too much. Screams of pain
used to come from the cut line of the surgeons scalpel, because there was no anaesthetic in
those days.

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Design Brief - Architectural Design VII- 4 Year B.Arch, 2016,A.Y,

School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada

With the rapid development and advances in technological, medical and administrative
sciences and innovative techniques and therapies, todays hospitals will become
obsolescent within a short time. One cannot even guess at the future miracles of medicine.
That is why one planning and design expert said, weve got to design smart hospitals that
respond to present needs while anticipating future changes.
Had this book been written half a century ago, who among us would have logically planned ,
designed and organised a hospital incorporating open-heart surgery, transplant of human
organs or implant of artificial ones? And who would have thought of the marvellous gifts of
science and technology to medicine in the form of computerized axial tomography, magnetic
resonance imaging, mammography, ultrasound and linear accelerator , etc.
All successful hospitals, without exception, are built on a triad of good planning, good design
and construction, and good administration. The success of a hospital is generally measured
by the quality of patient care it provides and the efficiency with which it operates.
-

Courtesy : Hospitals Facilities Planning and Management by GD Kunders

The World Health Organization (WHO) has done a great service to mankind by
ushering an era of international co-operation in the field of health and promoting the
concept of "One World Health" and health for all by the year 2000.
The constitution of World Health Organization, which was drafted and signed in 1946,
stated that
"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely
the absence of disease and infirmity. The preamble of WHO further states that the
enjoyment of highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of
every human being".
-

Courtesy : The World Health Organisation (WHO)

Here are some Basic Indicators on performance/status of health care in

India as per UNICEF
Under-5 mortality rate, 1990 - 118
Under-5 mortality rate, 2009 - 66
Life expectancy, 1970 - 49
Life expectancy, 1990 - 58
Life expectancy, 2009 - 64

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Design Brief - Architectural Design VII- 4 Year B.Arch, 2016,A.Y,

School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada

Selected List of Vital Factors for Design Consideration

Primary Elements of a Hospital

Environment

Doctor
Hospital
administration

Paramedical staff

Patient

Reception / Front office

Attendants

Engineering Technicians

Primary elements of Hospital Planning

MEDICAL SERVICES
OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT
EMERGENCY / TRAUMA CARE
DIAGNOSTIC TREATMENT
IN-PATIENT DEPARTMENT
OPERATION THEATRE COMPLEX

HOSPITAL SERVICES
C.S.S.D (central sterile supply department)
DIETARY
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Design Brief - Architectural Design VII- 4 Year B.Arch, 2016,A.Y,

School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada

LAUNDARY
HOSPITAL STORES
WORKSHOPS
BIOMEDICAL DEPT.
MEDICAL RECORDS
PHARMACEUTICAL
MORTUARY

ENGINEERING SERVICES
WATER SUPPLY &
SANITATION
HVAC (heating ventilation & air conditioning)
ILLUMINATION
MEDICAL GAS SUPPLY
FIRE PROTECTION
WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM(General & Medical)
BMS building management systems
SECURITY/SURVEILLANCE
SPECIALIZED VENTILATION SYSTEM (Uni-Directional Flow & the like)

Spatial Typologies in Hospital Planning

Normal spaces
OPD lobby, OPD clinics & the like spaces

Clean spaces
Labs, IPD wards, treatment rooms, toilets & the like spaces

Sterile / Semi sterile spaces

Operation theatre complex , ICU , Certain Labs, & the like spaces

Dirty spaces
Incinerator zones, certain spaces along the waste disposal route
& the like spaces

Infectious/isolation zones
Mortuary, Isolation wards, spaces to treat burn injuries and the like spaces

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Design Brief - Architectural Design VII- 4 Year B.Arch, 2016,A.Y,

School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada

Project Objective:
As indicated in the above mentioned details, the design of Health Spaces is one
among the most demanding Design Assignments. As a first step, you are expected
to get your learnings, by conducting detailed Library studies & Live Case studies, in
accordance with General Design Criterions and Project Specific Design
Criterions, thus creating a firm base to evolve a Meaningful & effective Design.
Further to which, you are to design a Tertiary Level Care (Multi Speciality
Hospital), 100 Bedded Hospital, in accordance with the detail requirements which
will be issued to you in due course of time.

Standards / References / Governing Bodies:

World Health Organization
Bureau of Indian Standards
Medical Council of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare - GOI
National Building Code of India - 2005
Baba Atomic Research Centre Vs. Radiology Department
National Health Services Handbooks (UK)
Universal Health Services (manual for micro planning)
Time Savers Standards (US)
NABH Hospital Handbook Quality council of India
Hospitals Facilities Planning and Management by GD Kunders
Health Care Spaces by Roger Yee (visual reference publications Inc. new
York)
ECBC code 2007

Note:
1) Details pertaining to Site & Situation as per Annexure A, would be issued
in due course of time
2) details pertaining to final submittals would be informed in due course of time.
3) The case studies conducted shall be presented along with a one
specialised subject
4) The Project Study seminar presentations shall include a summary sheet,
comprising of : observations , inferences and final recommendations.
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Design Brief - Architectural Design VII- 4 Year B.Arch, 2016,A.Y,

School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada

5) It is expected that student shall work on physical models as much as possible

(at every stage of the design process), for better understanding of their own
design

Studio Faculty:
Shri.Nagaraju Kaja, Shri.Kranthikumar, Shri.Milind Kamble ,Shri. Karthik Ch,
Shri. Syam Chandan & Shri.TVS Chowdary

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