Healing environments for cancer : Re-thinking cancer centre

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION How can architectural design enhance healing processes for cancer patients in South Korea?

ABSTRACT Many hospital experiences are unpleasant. A hospital is considered a place where people go only when they experience a disease, disorder or crisis, and spending time in the hospital is not something to look forward to. Research reveals that an unpleasant environment can cause people to feel anxious or helpless, affecting the immune system. A pleasant environment can reverse that. Regardless of age and culture, the connection between people and nature leads to positive impacts on people’s physical and mental wellbeing. Contact with nature, even viewing scenes of nature, can reduce stress and pain and increase pleasant feelings. Due to modernisation, people spend most of their time in the built environment and architecture plays an important role in improving the occupant’s health and wellbeing. In particular, architecture can contribute to positive outcomes in healing and overall wellbeing in the healthcare setting.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally and is the top cause of death in South Korea. During the Covid pandemic, the healthcare system and medical technologies in South Korea have proven to be of a high standard, but despite this, the death rate from cancer continues to grow. In order to improve the healing environment, the architect and designer have a vital responsibility to create spaces that encourage the healing process and enhance the quality of life. A number of research studies show that a connection to nature has positive impacts on people’s lives, and healing is one of them. Rapid development and modernisation in South Korea over the past years has resulted in a lack of consideration of connecting to nature, especially in healthcare. In this study, firstly, a literature review and precedent study will be conducted to explore the notion of holistic design, incorporating Biophilic and Salutogenic designs and their impact on healing. Secondly, holistic elements will be considered from the literature review and the precedent study, to address the aspects applicable to the healthcare system in South Korea.

SITE: Gyesan-dong, Daejeon, South Korea.