Architectural Design

“ Archi tecture of Heal th 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

accommodation, construction integrity, the economy of means and questions of appearance
and aesthetics. We are consciously committed to the search for 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 i ntr oducti on to “ Ar chi tectur e of Heal th

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 wasn’t 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 surgeon’s scalpel, because there was
no anaesthetic in those days.

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Design Brief by Prof.Ar. Mustufa Ahmed.
 Design Brief - Architectural Design vii sem 4th Year B.Arch, ITM
University

With the rapid development and advances in technological, medical and administrative
sciences and innovative techniques and therapies, today’s 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, “we’ve 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 a re s ome “Bas ic Indic a tors ” on pe rforma nce /s tatus of hea

lth ca re in “India ” as pe r 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 sem 4th Year B.Arch, ITM
University

Selected List of Vital Factors for Design Consideration

Primary Elements of a Hospital Environment

Doctor
Hospital
Paramedical staff administration

Patient

Attendants Reception / Front office

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 by Prof.Ar. Mustufa Ahmed.
 Design Brief - Architectural Design vii sem 4th Year B.Arch, ITM
University

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 by Prof.Ar. Mustufa Ahmed.
 Design Brief - Architectural Design vii sem 4th Year B.Arch, ITM
University

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 by Prof.Ar. Mustufa Ahmed.
 Design Brief - Architectural Design vii sem 4th Year B.Arch, ITM
University

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

SITE DETAIL:

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Design Brief by Prof.Ar. Mustufa Ahmed.