While studying the design of health care and mental health care facilities, I learned how important simple features such as, daylight, green space, and materials can be. With the rising trend of green/sustainable architecture, is it possible to take these features to another level, thus improving the recovery of the patients even quicker? I believe we can, thus allowing the use of sustainability to advantage the design. Stress is a negative factor that impairs the recovery process. In order to mitigate stress induced environments, evidence based design says that designers should incorporate green spaces, gardens, and views to nature. All of these design strategies can net the building credits in LEED. Green roofs or terraces can satisfy the Sustainable Site’s credit 7.2, native plant gardens can satisfy the Water Efficiency credit 1, and views out to the gardens or surrounding environment can satisfy Indoor Environmental Quality credit 8.2. Little exposure to natural daylight can cause changes to brain chemistry and circadian rhythms, leading to depression and various negative behavioral changes, which can greatly impair the recovery process. Because of this, it is important to allow natural light into each space a patient can use. What sustainable techniques can be used to achieve this? Correct orientation of the building is a good start. Placing windows strategically is important because the designer does not want to allow for overheating or unwanted glare (which is especially crucial in healthcare situations). If daylighting is designed well enough, it is possible to satisfy the Indoor Environment Quality credit 8.1. It is important to beware of natural light patters on surfaces during the day, as well as artificial light sources at night. Light reflecting off certain material surfaces can create glare which can disorient the patient and cause injury. Because of this, material selection is very crucial. This creates an opportunity to use recycled and low emitting materials which can satisfy Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4 and Materials and Resources credits 3 through 6.
