Melbourne Design Week 2024: Exploring the importance of design in healthcare

Gray Puksand was incredibly proud to host the “Happy Building, Happy Staff, Happy Patients” event on the opening night of Melbourne Design Week 2024, supported by the National Gallery of Victoria.

Our Victorian Health and Science Lead and Senior Associate, Quentin Seik, moderated the insightful panel discussion, exploring how intentional design can enhance the support and retention of healthcare staff while prioritising the wellbeing of patients and their loved ones.

The panel featured experts from a variety of disciplines, including our Senior Interior Designer, Amanda Wilson and healthcare specialists, Allison Lamb from Western Health, Alison Smith from Royal Women’s Hospital and Kristiina Siiankoski from Safer Care Victoria.

“As designers we are constantly thinking about how buildings perform holistically, addressing comfort, function and sustainability, and with a profound focus on their long-term impact on human wellbeing.

“We recognise that healthcare environments are not always spaces of joy and happiness. Often, they are more closely associated with stress and trauma, so our spaces need to respond accordingly by providing serenity and comfort wherever possible,” said Quentin in his opening remarks.

The panel began by discussing how healthcare design can impact the wellbeing of healthcare staff, exploring how well-designed clinical and breakroom spaces can improve employee satisfaction and reduce absenteeism.

“Hospital design plays a major role in attracting, retaining and supporting staff to unlock their potential, fostering a workplace where they can be their best selves and providing patients with exceptional care,” said Quentin.

The experts noted that breakrooms for healthcare staff have historically been an afterthought in the design process. These spaces have often been relegated to inconveniently located areas that lack natural light and amenities, making it harder for staff to cope with the emotional and physical stress of their jobs.

“Our staff work tirelessly from the moment they get in the door to the moment they go home. Breaks are not long enough, and we’re often stretched thin, so having clean, versatile, and accessible spaces allows our staff to maximise physical and mental respite during their breaks,” added Alison Smith.

Our experts then discussed the importance of purposeful design in improving patient care outcomes, highlighting how evidenced-backed design strategies can reduce the length of hospital stays and, in some cases, mortality rates.

“Fostering a connection to nature is one of our main considerations in the design process,” said Amanda.

“Studies have shown that patients with access to windows and natural scenery had shorter hospital stays compared to those who did not. They often tended to require less strong medications and, in some cases, had fewer surgical complications. These biophilic elements play such a huge role in patient recovery.”

The importance of logical and intuitive wayfinding strategies was emphasised by several panellists, explaining that making large and chaotic hospitals easier to navigate is a simple yet often overlooked way to mitigate stress for patients and their loved ones.

“When people enter the hospital, they usually have a heightened sense of anxiety, so if you can’t find the right room and you’re running late, it makes the day even more stressful.

“Having clear signage that can be understood by patients of varying backgrounds, ages, and abilities is a crucial way to make the environment safer and less confronting,” added Kristiina.

The importance of thorough consultation with the end-user across the design process was repeated throughout the panel, with each of our experts highlighting how these unique perspectives can shape key design choices and result in better outcomes for staff and patients.

“Speaking to key stakeholders including staff, patients, their families and carers is critical for us as designers. They all experience these spaces in different ways and need them to function differently.

“We come in with all our knowledge, research and options but ultimately, we can’t truly know what’s needed until we understand how the unique set of staff and patients will use the space,” said Amanda.

“At Gray Puksand, we’re always trying to find diversity of opinion in these discussions,” added Quentin.

“Breaking down the barriers of design by empowering end-users to truly engage in these discussions allows us to understand the nuances of their needs and deliver upon them,” he concluded.

Thank you to our esteemed panel of industry experts and all who joined us for this insightful conversation.

Find out more about Gray Puksand’s recent healthcare projects HERE.

Melbourne Design Week 2024: Exploring the importance of design in healthcare

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