Benefits from wood interior in a hospital room: a preference study

Abstract

New design strategies, focusing on implementing the psychologically beneficial effects of nature in the built environment, are increasingly being implemented in building design. The design of built settings is of particular importance in environments intended for healing, such as hospitals. Preferences for a setting are thought to be indicators of factors in the environment that can enhance health and well-being both for patients and those who care for them. The aim of this study is to investigate preferences for natural construction materials in patient rooms. An online survey was distributed to all employees in one department at a Norwegian hospital. Respondents (n=93) included nurses and auxiliary nurses, physicians, and other hospital staff. In the survey, the employees were asked to evaluate 10 computer-manipulated pictures of patient rooms with different amounts and dispositions of wood on surfaces. The results indicate that employees prefer patient rooms with an intermediate degree of wood. The least liked room was the room with pine wood on all surfaces.

Keywords:

• biophilic design
• construction material
• evidence-based design
• hospital design
• natural element
• questionnaire

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Researcher Ylva Kleiven for assistance in preparing the paper. The study was funded by the Norwegian Research Council (grant number 186174), the Norwegian Sawmill Industries Association, the Norwegian Forest Owners’ Federation, and the Norwegian Joinery Manufacturers Association and Fondet for treteknisk forskning to carry out the research.