Healthcare Design - June/July 2020 - 16

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TA K E F I V E

TA M M Y F E L K E R

The healthcare planner and architect at
NBBJ (Seattle) discusses the top five trends
and issues in inpatient behavioral health
design that have her attention right now.
1 . H E L P PAT I E N T S F E E L AT E A S E A N D W E L C O M E

As architects, planners, and designers, we want to normalize the environment
and experience and make them feel comfortable and familiar. Many people
have negative images of a behavioral health facility and are reluctant to seek
treatment. These places shouldn't have a scary or punitive appearance. Instead, a positive and therapeutic environment can help decrease barriers to
seeking care. For example, using wood, tile, and other materials that have a
residential look gives a homelike quality that's less institutional.
2. ALLOW A SENSE OF CONTROL

3 . R E D U C E S T R E S S W I T H R E S P I T E S PA C E S

Providing spaces for respite and quiet for both patients and staff, such as a
soothing place to retreat if the environment is overwhelming, is beneficial.
We should minimize extraneous stimuli, both visual and acoustic, as we all
react to overstimulation with a stress response. One approach is to utilize
sound-absorbing materials where possible and appropriate. Don't forget
about visual clutter: Offer storage for supplies and materials to keep the unit
orderly and tidy.
4. PROVIDE POSITIVE DISTRACTIONS

Many studies have shown that regular exercise contributes to good mental
health and management of depression. Including spaces for physical fitness
can help patients establish healthy patterns of behavior that can be utilized
after discharge. Art and horticultural therapy are also proven activities that
support mental well-being. Art can allow patients to express emotions and
feelings in a healthy and appropriate way, while a connection to nature and
the outdoors speaks to our primal origins and biophilia.
5. PRIORITIZE SAFETY

Many institutions are moving to a trauma-informed model of care and seeking
to minimize restraint and seclusion. As a result, patients may act out against
the built environment because they won't be physically restrained or be
moved to a seclusion room that's designed to withstand such physical abuse.
When spaces get damaged and they're not repaired, it can send a message to
patients and their families that they're not valued or important-nor is the patient unit. Therefore, making the facility durable and maintainable is important. Employ familiar materials in novel ways, such as a special type of dense
plywood that has a higher quality of finish, which gives it a warm and familiar
look while being extremely durable. Medium density fiberboard can also be
routed to create interesting patterns in a material that's resistant to abuse.

J U N E /J U LY 2 0 2 0

FIRST LOOK

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA,
SAN FRANCISCO-CHILD,
T E E N & FA M I LY C E N T E R
A N D D E PA RT M E N T O F
P S Y C H I AT RY B U I L D I N G

SUPPORTING A NEW care model for behavioral health,
ZGF (Portland, Ore.) is collaborating with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to design a
Child, Teen & Family Center and Department of Psychiatry Building in San Francisco that will combine
traditional psychiatric care services with neuroscience
research. Designed to be UCSF's first co-location of
research and behavioral healthcare for pediatric and
adult patients, the center will accelerate scientific discovery of improved treatments and prevention, while
also serving as a critical link in UCSF's mission to destigmatize behavioral healthcare and support community mental health efforts.
The 170,000-square-foot facility, which is scheduled
for completion in 2021, will comprise a single structure
with zones that have architecturally distinct visual
identities and spaces. Entrances will be clearly defined
for those going to the Child, Teen & Family Center and
those going to other locations in the building. Natural
materials, ample daylighting, and exterior views will be
used to create an inviting and therapeutic space while
supporting patient and staff safety.

HCDMAGAZINE.COM

ZGF ARCHITECTS

Not all behavioral health inpatients are admitted voluntarily, and they have
lost a sense of autonomy and self-determination. Therefore, it's important
that the environment provide options and choice, as appropriate. Simple features such as operable windows or control of the music in a quiet room can
provide customization. A patient's ability to regulate his/her personal space
and interactions with others is also key, from offering flexible seating to movable chairs that support different-sized social interactions.

http://www.HCDMAGAZINE.COM

Healthcare Design - June/July 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Design - June/July 2020