The world of healthcare design continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of patients and staff alike. With a heightened awareness of health and safety in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, architects and designers are seeking long-term solutions to make healthcare spaces feel cleaner, safer, and more welcoming than ever before. At CMBA Architects, we understand the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest trends in healthcare design to create spaces that meet the needs of both patients and staff. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the lesser-known healthcare design trends you can expect to see more of in 2023, and how we're incorporating these trends into our work to create innovative and people-centric healthcare spaces.
Sensory-Friendly Design
Sensory-friendly design is an emerging trend in healthcare design that focuses on creating calming spaces for patients and visitors from a unique perspective. Healthcare environments can often be overwhelming and stressful, with bright lights, loud noises, and sterile surroundings. By incorporating elements that reduce sensory stimulation, designers can create a more peaceful and comfortable experience for patients and visitors. Some examples of sensory-friendly design elements include soft lighting, soothing color palettes, acoustic treatments, and comfortable furnishings.
Interactive Design
With the increasing use of technology in our daily lives, it's no surprise that healthcare spaces are also incorporating interactive design to engage patients and visitors. Interactive design elements can include digital signage, touchscreens, and interactive displays that provide information, entertainment, and educational resources. These features not only promote patient engagement but also help improve overall patient experience.
Acoustics for Privacy and Confidentiality
Acoustics play a critical role in healthcare design, as they affect patient privacy, confidentiality, and sense of peace. Patients in healthcare spaces are often in a vulnerable and emotional state, making it essential to provide an environment that promotes privacy and minimizes disruptions. By incorporating proper acoustic treatments, designers can help reduce noise levels, enhance speech privacy, and provide a more comfortable environment for patients and staff alike.
Patient-Friendly Wayfinding
Navigating healthcare spaces can be overwhelming, especially for patients who may be experiencing physical or emotional distress. That's why patient-friendly wayfinding has become an essential component of healthcare design. By incorporating intuitive signage and wayfinding systems, designers can help patients and visitors navigate healthcare spaces with ease. Patient-friendly wayfinding can include clear and concise signage, color-coded routes, and digital maps to help patients find their way around healthcare facilities. At CMBA, we work closely with our clients to develop wayfinding strategies that are tailored to their specific needs, incorporating features such as directional signage, visual cues, and digital mapping to create a more comfortable and convenient experience for patients and visitors.
The Future of Healthcare
The future of healthcare is an exciting and rapidly evolving landscape. As architects and designers, we're constantly looking ahead to identify new trends and technologies that shape the healthcare spaces of tomorrow. The possibilities for innovation in healthcare design are truly endless! At CMBA, we're committed to staying on the cutting edge of healthcare design and providing our clients with the best possible solutions. We believe that by embracing new technologies and trends, we can create healthcare spaces that are safer, more comfortable, and more welcoming than ever before.