Optimal Hospital Layout Design

This PhD project presents a design model that generates and evaluates hospital designs with respect to long-term performances and functionalities. By visualizing and quantifying costs and performances in the early design phases, it is possible to make design choices based on a qualified, profound foundation.
The basis of the present study lies in solving the architectural design problem in order to respond to functionalities and performances. The emphasis is the practical applicability for architects, engineers and hospital planners for assuring usability and a holistic approach of functionalities and performances.
By formal descriptions, a design model can weigh and compare the impact of different perspectives and, even in the early design phase, it can visualize and quantify consequences for design choices. By qualitative study of hospital design and hospital functionality, formal descriptions develop a correlation matrix. The correlation factor defines the framework for conceptual design, whereby the design considers functionalities and their requirements and preferences. It facilitates implementation of evidence-based design as it is prepared for ongoing update and it is based on actual data. Hence, this contribution is a model for hospital design, where design derives as a response to the defined variables, requirements and preferences.