Sense Sensitive Design - IBI Group

Facilities | sense sensitive Design 11
Understanding of the sense of balance and this sensory
receptor in the healthcare environment is vital. The
sick, very young, the disabled, the elderly, the partially
sighted and the blind will all rely heavily on their own
sense of balance. It is crucial that the environment must
be perpetually true and honest in terms of vertical and
horizontal plains. A sudden change in floor finish from light
to dark may feel like a chasm to certain patient groups.
Variable height furniture, fittings and sanitary ware helps
further support the patient.
By working with the above set criteria in mind, it is possible
to create environments that have the most positive effect
on the patient’s well-being.
Smells are retained more acutely in our memory than
are visual images or sounds. Designers have a real
opportunity to affect people’s moods, perceptions and
motivation through smells and fragrances. Unpleasant
odours increase heart rates. One forgets that some of the
smells that inhabit hospitals are formaldehyde, formulin,
iodine, glutaraldehyde, bone, dust, urine, burnt skin/ hair,
testosterone, disease, body odour etc. Fear per se is
communicated through smells. Good ventilation systems
are sufficient to remove these smells. Smells can also relax
muscles and aid concentrating. Kajima- a contracting
firm - has coupled up with Shiseido - a perfume
manufacturer - to produce a unique air conditioning
system in the Kajima HQ in Tokyo. The system emits citrus
smells that invigorate staff early in the morning followed
by floral smells that aid concentration and then woodland
smells at lunchtime to relax. The same cycle commences
after lunch. In a healthcare environment ‘baby smells’
can reduce aggression in Accident and Emergency Units.
Vanilla fragrances encourage per-term babies to feed in
the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU’s). Pleasant smells
help the body produce endorphins, the body’s natural
‘feel good’ drug, which in itself may reduce the amount of
anaesthetic administered during a surgical procedure.