Photographer : Jessica Gaydarov
Vigor / JRA Medical Clinic
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Location : Bakersfield, California, USA
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Project : M Arch Thesis
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Thesis Adviser : David Gill
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Architects have sterilized medical facilities, and used that as an excuse to not add anything else to make hospitals feel more inviting. In the architectural design for medical facilities, progress towards a better design is not at the desired level. The highest level of sterilization is reserved for the ICU and surgeries. Contrary to this are non-sterilized areas, such as the outdoors.
People have often said children contain the most germs since their bodies are learning how to create a better and stronger immune system. Due to this notion, medical facilities tend to contradict their ideal level of sterilization.
Imagine harsh walls that one must walk through when entering a medical facility. Though designed with good intention to accommodate various levels of sterilization, they ultimately induce anxiety. Architects often overlook such impacts on mental heath.
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How can architecture blend the levels of sterilization and humanize the facility into one cohesive environment?