Highlights the impact of patient-centric design on the healing process
The importance of design
As evidence about the benefits of healing environments accumulates, healthcare architects around the world are starting to incorporate features into hospital design that reduce stress and promote healing.
At Perkins+Will we have seen a gradual rise in healthcare organisations across the Middle East taking intoconsideration findings from studies across environmental psychology, geography, sociology, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, nursing, medicine and public health that demonstrate how patient-centric design can reduce stress and alleviate the physical outcomes associated with it. Theseconsiderations in design alterations can also prevent medical errors and hospital acquired infections.
At Perkins+Will we have alwayshad a strong focus on the end user of our projects and we always consider the level of wellness we can provide. This type of design within the healthcaredepartment is called ‘patient-centric’ and we are delighted to be given the opportunity to exercise our core values on the new Kings College Hospital (KCH), here in Dubai.
Project overview
King College Hospital is a new specialised facility focusing on four centres of excellence: obstetrics and gynecology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Endocrinology (diabetes) and liver transplants.
Centrally located in Dubai, between downtown Marina to the south and the Financial District to the north, this site has a prominent presence and the potential to create a strong architectural identity for both the KCH and its developer, Dubai Hills Estate Development. The hospital was positioned to provide visual prominence from Marabea Street and easy way finding for visitors. The central Dubai location provides the opportunity to capitalise on a wide range of views of the Dubai skyline, all of which are factors intentionally maximised upon to create this patient-centric development.
The site was a vacant lot withan area of approximately 25,488 sqm. The north side provides the main public access to the project and this entranceleads directly into a drop-off loop with canopy protection at the main entrance. Visitors to the hospital have easy access to surface parking immediately adjacent to the drop-off loop to both the east and west sides, with a valet option at the main entrance. The south side provides access for staff, service vehicles and ambulances.
The project will be a phased construction, with phase one comprising a 23,000 sqm floor area, which is organised over eight floors and will accommodate three levels of treatment and diagnostics and four floors of inpatient beds. Phase one will also accommodate 325 car parking spaces for staff and visitors.
Phase two will be a horizontal expansion of approximately 16,000 sqm to all levels of the project and a five level parking structure to accommodate approximately 410 cars. This expansion is designed to be seamlessly integrated into phase one of construction as asingle architectural expression.
The main building entrance is a public lobby complete with a three-story atrium. A bank of elevators to allvisitor-accessible floors is located on the western side of the building, adjacent to the entry lobby. Visitors will experience first contact with hospital personnel at the reception upon entry and be directed to their destination. A café space is provided at the northeast end of the ground floor.
Patient-centric design
The hospital is designed, in its entirety, to consider the patient experience, from the moment the patient arrives to moment they complete their treatment and leave KCH while ensuring a high level of sustainability. Protection from the harsh sun is provided through multiple means, such as self-shading exterior façades, multiple soaring canopies surrounding the building and sheltered gardens. At the entrance, a fountain provides a cooling effect while multiple lush gardens at ground level provide needed shade. The development is capped by a roof garden accessible to the public,patients and staff where it is planned to include areas for rehabilitation and relaxation.
There are plenty key healing features we have incorporated into the design of KCH as follows:
Design: Outside of the consideration for patient-led design, it is important to consider the external environment. We at Perkins+Will endeavor to fit our designs into their particular surroundings, considering culture, climate and surrounding buildings. The brief given for this project was to create something with a modern feel yet in keeping with the site’s landscape, including the skyline, nature and surrounding buildings. The exterior draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the desert and the façade is an interpretation of theshading effect generated by the textured landscape of wind-blown sand. Thistexture has been abstracted as an architectural expression wrapping the hospital and providing self-shading and aid in direct solar exposure.
Sustainable: We have worked on the premise of using a thermal mass façade to control solar gain and cooling, reducing air conditioning consumption needs. We have considered solar orientation and detail to include LED lighting and natural shading.
Increased connection to nature: Studies have shown as little as three minutes of contact with nature significantly reduces stress, anger and fear. For KCH we have built in windows with landscape and downtown skyline views in each, single patient increasing levels of natural light, in turn inducing calmness. In addition, particularly with the pediatric ward we have included artwork into the design of the walls to create texture and nature designs on the ceilings in the form of back-lit stretch fabrics.
Wayfinding: From the moment you arrive at KCH you are able to easily navigate through distinct signage and key landmarks within the hospital. To create a feeling of control this element is important for patients, staff and visitors alike.
Good use of space: We have included multiple green spaces for proven improvement to mood and shorter hospital stays. We have designed a stunninggarden within the hospital ground and made use of the rooftop to include a vegetable garden to aid the rehabilitation for dexterity patients.
Control of your environment: Giving patients a sense of control cansignificantly decrease stress. In our design of KCH we have enabled each patient to control their own in-room environment. We have created an area where patients are able to control everything from lighting, sound and temperature to when they would like their meals and what they would like to eat. All of these components are centrally controlled by a handset attached to the patient’s bed.
Safety and infection control: Paramount to healing, combined with global best practice and conformity to DHA standards, everything from surfaces to air control is considered in our design.
Positive diversion: when healing it is important to create positive and calming distractions for patients. This can include nature inside the building, play areas, overhead back-lit screens, nature based artwork-which we integrate as part of the overall design. Family spaces and common rooms plus calming outside spaces can be maximised for use during the cooler months. Positive diversion works for patients, visitors and staff with an overall positive calming effect.
Visitors: It has been proven visits from family and friends promotes healing. To this end wehave ensured we have catered to visitors comfort providing rooms, which canaccommodate visitors comfortably, a sofa which converts to a bed and commonspaces with amenities to the needs of comfort.
All considerations have been taken into account for this project – the above being key examples
In conclusion
This project holds historical sentiment due to the UAE’s strong ties with King’s College Hospital London going back to 1979, when the nation’s founder, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, provided a donation that helped establish the King’s liver research centre; now among the top three liver specialist centres in the world. It has been a pleasure for our 15-strong team of architects, purposely selected from our 105 specialist architects in the firm to work on this project and create an optimal healing, patient-centric environment. At Perkins+Will we have access to a centralised hub of global ‘knowledge experts’ allowing us to draw on a multitude of specialist skillsets and global expertise. For the programming and design review elements of this project, for example, the Los Angeles, London and Dubai offices collaborated to create a brief. This has enabled us to create an evidenced based design approach with core local knowledge.
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About Perkins+Will
Perkins+Will is an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm established in 1935. Founded on the belief design has the power to transform lives and enhance communities, we collaborate with clients all over the world to create healthy, sustainable places in which to live, learn, work, play and heal. Perkins+Will has been a specialist in healthcare design since the mid-1900’s with the Dubai office introducing its healthcare division in March 2015, headed up by Stas Louca. The young team of architects has the skillset to accommodate a 360-degree project to include healthcare planning and medical equipment planning to landscape and interiors.
More than 2,000 professionals across over 20 Perkins+Will offices include some of the brightest minds in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, and landscape architecture. Clients consistently turn to us for our leadership and expertise in areas like sustainability, resilience, health and wellness, and mobility. Additionally, our 10 Research Labs catalyze innovative design technologies and solutions that result in better, smarter, more competitive built environments. The recipient of hundreds of design awards each year, and a progressive leader in corporate social responsibility, Perkins+Will is consistently ranked among the world’s top design firms. Our family of partner companies includes retail strategy and design consultancy Portland; transportation planning consultancy Nelson/Nygaard; healthcare technology planning firm Genesis; and luxury hospitality design firm Pierre-YvesRochon (PYR).
About Stas Louca
Stas Louca is a Director of Architecture and Middle East Healthcare Leader based out of Perkins + Will Dubai office.Stas began his career in London working for a prominent architectural firm,after receiving his Diploma in Architecture from University College London, The Bartlett School of Architecture. Drawing on 25 years of experience in planning, designing and delivering complex projects, with a particular focus on Healthcare and Commercial Projects. His experience includes a 1,600-bed Hospital in Singapore for the Ministry of Health; the aforementioned specialist hospital for Kings College Hospital in Dubai, UAE, and a 245-bed Hospital in Doha, Qatar. Stas has worked and lived in the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Singapore and Canada, which has given him a wide international perspective on design and construction. Stas has extensive experience in working with clients to translate business case proposals, into successful project from concept to completion. Stas brings a wealth of technical proficiency, and has extensive environmental sustainable design knowledge,including modern methods of construction.
For more media information, please contact Alexandra Williams at IHC for Perkins+Will
For more media information:
Contact Alexandra Williams at IHC
+971 52 8697868
alexandra@ih-c.com
© Press Release 2017
