Sensory Design in the Birth Environment: Learning from Existing Case Studies

Abstract

Studies have shown how built environments for hospitals can influence psychological and physiological conditions and status for childbearing women. Sensory attributes of birth spaces can enhance comfort, feelings of wellbeing, and, to some extent, clinical outcomes. Recently, some case studies of multisensory rooms for the birth environment have been developed based on, e.g., Snoezelen room examples. The aim of this research is to develop an overview of how sensory aspects for birth environments are designed, used, and tested in current and recent studies. Case studies were selected according to sensory aspect significance, observing space factors, and relationship with the experience and comfort of users (women, partners, midwives). All case studies were analysed to collect information about the design and validation process. The collected data were organised in categories and compared for the selected case studies. Main findings were summarised in tables with the aim of underlining how sensory design processes and projects can positively influence comfort for birthing. Conclusions about how to bring forward the issue of sensory design so that it can be used and applied to support childbearing women is discussed.

Healing Architecture in Mental Health Facilities in the New European Bauhaus Context

“…The studies of the mentioned authors have not become outdated and are still valid, which confirms the most up-to-date literature. The most significant research work about the quality of space in healthcare buildings after 2020 is written by, among others, Garg, Dewan [17], and Bellini [18]. Those works cover a wide range of research on the relationship between architecture and patient well-being.…”

“…Indoor and outdoor furniture requires adjustment to the needs of staff and patients, room functions, and purposes. It must always be ergonomic and comfortable [1,18]. The seating chairs must be comfortable and movable with blocking possibilities for the safety of people with disabilities [24].…”

“…The first design process element is a building location on a site concerning varied factors. Among them, quietness and greenery stand out [6,8,18]. The construction plot should be large enough to plan a garden and a walking area.…”

“…The construction plot should be large enough to plan a garden and a walking area. It requires considerable distance from busy roads and buildings with burdensome functions to provide peace [18]. The outdoor space supports a sense of independence and freedom, which is extremely important when treating mental illnesses [1,8,10,22].…”

Careggi Campus

“…È difficile dare una risposta che discenda da una classificazione di tipologie ospedaliere, per il semplice fatto che oggi le nuove architetture di ospedali sfuggono ad una classificazione tipologica, e sono piuttosto generate dalla reinterpretazione di tipologie tradizionali, come ad esempio il monoblocco, la piastra, gli edifici indipendenti, spesso tra loro integrate. Gli ospedali contemporanei, assecondando gli aspetti funzionali, come la separazione delle aree funzionali e l'ottimizzazione delle connessioni tra di esse, e assecondando l'attenzione ai principi di umanizzazione e di benessere per gli utenti, sviluppano soluzioni improntate a creatività e innovazione principalmente guidate dalla interpretazione che il progetto dà a due aspetti: il sistema degli accessi, percorsi, e flussi da una parte, e gli spazi verdi dall'altra (Bellini et al, 2023).…”