Singapore is home to one of the most famous biophilic design examples, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. This hospital is no ordinary healthcare facility, in fact, upon first glace you would not even think it was a hospital.

This healthcare space is a 550-bed public hospital built upon 3.5-hectares, located in northern Singapore ⁽⁵⁾, designed by CPG Consultants for Alexandra Health. The original design brief for this iconic healthcare environment required the design to reflect a hassle-free hospital that facilitates efficiency for both the staff and patients, and also in energy consumption ⁽⁶⁾. Along with this, the design was also driven by the Ex-CEO’s desire of the hospital to be designed to allow individual’s blood-pressure to lower once they enter the grounds ⁽⁷⁾.

Needless to say, the final design knocked the original design brief out of the park as the designers and architects produced a healthcare environment that assists patients in forgetting their injury and pain, and improves their recovery time and rate by immersing them into a natural healing environment ⁽⁷⁾. This is done through the clever creation of an invigorating park-like ambiance for patients, caregivers and the general public by enhancing the views and access to nature; thus, also facilitating a conducive working environment for staff members ⁽⁷⁾.

So, how exactly was Khoo Teck Puat Hospital designed to reflect the natural environment and what were the biophilic architectural elements and principles incorporated in it’s final, breath-taking design?

The building itself is designed in a V-shaped configuration of blocks which portray a central court. The ‘V’ is designed to open to the north, allowing natural breezes to enter the site, tapping into a natural airflow. This unique building shape not only provides patients with cooling breezes, but also allows them access to natural lighting and views without solar glare or rain ⁽⁷⁾.

The architecture is also uniquely design to reflect the habitation of a forest. This is achieved through the incorporation of water features, aquatic species, and the introduction of plants to attract birds and butterflies ⁽⁷⁾. Foliage and greenery are incorporated from the central courtyard of the hospital to the very upper levels of the building, and then down into the open-to-sky basement. This facilitates the perception of the building being entangled and immersed in a large garden. Coupled with this is the inclusion of scented plants on patient balconies, allowing patients to experience the nature from their bedside ⁽⁷⁾.

The inclusion of a storm-water pond is designed with aquatic plants and clean water to encourage further aquatic habitats ⁽⁷⁾. Coupled with rooftop gardens which cater to specific patient needs, such a dementia, and a rooftop farm of which holds about 100 species of fruit trees, 50 species of herbs and 50 species of vegetables, an education opportunity is provided for all visitors ⁽⁷⁾.

Just as much as Singapore’s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital is green, it is also eco-friendly too, which is another large part of biophilic architecture and design. Biophilic design inclusions have saved the facility on major energy costs, and such features have won the hospital a number of green awards since completion ⁽⁶⁾.

Biophilic design and architecture is of ever-rising importance to our health and well-being in the built environment, especially due to the modern disconnection many have to the natural environment and elements within urbanised areas. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital’s biophilic architecture is a leader in the biophilic design movement, proving the importance of it and the numerous unique creative ways to implement it.

The ability to reduce stress, speed-up recovery times, positively impact behavioural disorders and liven up what is traditionally considered a sterile space are only a few benefits of biophilic design. The recognition of our need to connect with nature also boosts productivity, efficiency, morale and overall service delivery, allowing healthcare practitioners to perform at their optimum level, whilst patients receive their optimum care in a cleverly designed environment.

Did you know we incorporate biophilic design as part of our medical fitouts services? If you would like to discuss how biophilic design can benefit both your staff and patients, contact Interite Healthcare Interiors.