Future design of a Children's Hospice

Mikkel Poulsen, Mary-Ann Knudstrup, Peter Hoff, Michael Lund

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceedingConference abstract in proceedingResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Children’s hospices are a recent concept within the Danish context. Current- ly, only the small experimental institution “Lukashuset” at ”Sankt Lukas Stiftelsen” exists. There has been both an increased demand for and a pub- lic and political interest in creating a dedicated children’s hospice, similar to those in those in Britain, where the concept is more widespread. In Den- mark, the only choice is represented by children’s wards, which are ill-suited to palliative treatment.
The objective of this paper is to describe and present a children’s hospice which has been designed using the integrated design approach to sustaina- ble architecture (Knudstrup, 2004) in an architectural Master’s thesis project. The architecture should aid and facilitate palliative treatment for the patients, while relatives and staff also benefit from the healing architecture. The hos- pice is designed on the foundations of accessibility requirements, the theory of healing (Frandsen et al., 2011) and palliative architecture (REHPA, 2016), as well as experiences from “Lukashuset”.
The hospice is to be placed in Hammer Bakker, allowing the building to have a calm and natural environment that provides a closer connection to nature. The architecture utilises nature as a palliative element. Sensory stimulation for the patients is achieved through nature, lights, window placement, senso- ry gardens, and materiality. Functions are placed according to privacy and proximity to one another.
A home-like atmosphere and the promotion of wellbeing are key elements in a children’s hospice, and since the relatives are deeply affected by the pa- tient’s condition, there is a need for the relatives to stay at the hospice while also maintaining work and social life. By creating flexible environments where patients and relatives can control furnishings, light, and climate, the users have personal control over the environment and can create a tempo- rary home. Creating a stable environment for the relatives and patients alike benefits the well-being of all users.
In conclusion, the architecture of a children’s hospice must facilitate a heal- ing and palliative atmosphere not only for children but also for relatives and staff.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationARCH17 3rd International Conference on Architecture, Research, Care, Health
EditorsNanet Mathiasen, Anne Kathrine Frandsen
Number of pages1
PublisherPolyteknisk Forlag
Publication date2017
Edition1 edition
Pages72
ISBN (Electronic)978-87-93585-00-3
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event ARCH17 - The 3rd International Conference on Architecture, Research, Care and Health: 3rd international conference on architecture, research, care and health - Aalborg Universitet, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, København, Denmark
Duration: 26 Apr 201727 Apr 2017
Conference number: 3
http://www.arch17.aau.dk
http://www.arch17.aau.dk/

Conference

Conference ARCH17 - The 3rd International Conference on Architecture, Research, Care and Health
Number3
LocationAalborg Universitet, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityKøbenhavn
Period26/04/201727/04/2017
Internet address

Keywords

  • palliative and healing architecture.
  • users
  • well-being
  • accessibility
  • Sustainable architecture

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