Evolution of medical architecture

Abstract

This article deals with the history of medical architecture development in Russia and abroad. Numerous examples of buildings of healthcare facilities, from ancient times to the present day, are given. Buildings of hospitals and clinics were erected in the architectural traditions then prevailing. Features of healthcare facilities, which determine their architectural concept, are: type and purpose of the healthcare facility, scope and structure of medical services, location in the urban environment, architectural environment, etc. When designing the construction and reconstruction of hospitals and outpatient clinics, parameters of wards, doctor’s offices, procedure and administrative premises shall be taken into account. Special attention shall be paid to requirements to surgical theaters, intensive care units and other facilities with sophisticated equipment and numerous utilities.

A Review on Building Design as a Biomedical System for Preventing COVID-19 Pandemic

“…It was established under the monastic hospital auspices in the 9th century in Italy [38]. It is confirmed that the Schola Medica Salernitana remained the ground-breaking center for training scientists and medical professionals and for the provision of licensed practice in Europe until the 13th century [40].…”

“…Moreover, the appropriate building relevance in healing processes is well recognized by both architectural and medical practitioners. The social functions dominated hospitals in the early Middle Ages, as opposed to the medical, after the old states fell; the hospitals are associated with low medical-knowledge levels [40]. However, numerous hospitals were launched between the 6th and 8th centuries in Western Europe.…”

Architectural design strategies for infection prevention and control (IPC) in health-care facilities: towards curbing the spread of Covid-19

“…In the early Middle Age, hospitals were dominated by social functions as against medical after the fall of the ancient states, owed to the low level of medical knowledge [ 11 ]. Nevertheless, in Western Europe, between the 6th and 8th centuries, numerous hospitals were launched.…”

“…The earliest chronicles of health-care in Egypt and Greece are knotted to spiritual tenets with priests and sanctuaries playing key parts in an attempt at disease identification, analysis and care. Many of the early hospital designs resembled schools structured around a courtyard often located at the edge of villages or cities and monastic orders were the caretakers of the sick [ 11 , 13 ]. A good example of such a building is “Schola Medica Salernitana founded in the 9 th century under the auspices of the monastic hospital in Italy” [ 10 ].…”

“…A good example of such a building is “Schola Medica Salernitana founded in the 9 th century under the auspices of the monastic hospital in Italy” [ 10 ]. Tesler [ 11 ] added that until the thirteenth century, this institute remains the pioneering epicenter for training healthcare personals, scientists and issuance of practice licenses in Europe.…”