Clemson Architecture & Health Thesis

ABSTRACT
Hospitals in the US are typically built as thick buildings due to a desire to optimize
travel distances and functional relationships within and between clinical and supporting
departments. However, this building configuration disconnects building occupants
in core work areas from daylight and views to nature. It also promotes high energy
consumption due to excessive use of artificial lighting and air-condition. Yet, having
access to daylight and the view to nature in buildings is important for human health
and wellbeing, especially in hospitals. Daylight regulates the body´s circadian rhythm,
is necessary to produce Vitamin D, affects mood, lowers stress, increases concentration,
and enables performance of visual tasks. Additionally, having access to daylight can
improve the recovery process, it is effective as an antidepressant, and reduces pain.
Furthermore, daylit hospitals have a great potential for energy savings, if their design
integrates appropriate daylighting strategies and recognition of local climatic conditions.
Future generations of hospital design need to become healthier places to deliver
care, and become healthier for the planet by minimizing their significant impact
on carbon driven climate change. Therefore, improving access to daylight and
connections to nature should be a major design driver for hospital buildings and
other large healthcare building typologies to protect the health of building occupants
and support the 2030 challenge to protect global health and natural resources.