Few guidelines to incorporate in designing any rehabilitation center (Mhapsekar, 2023):

1. Have a Salutogenic approach to design

2. Home away from home
3. Biophilic environment help in the healing process
4. Layout of furniture
5. Design open-air indoor activity spaces such as courtyards, amphitheaters, etc
6. Focus on the sense of control and manageability by patients
7. Create a Sensory experience
8. Design interactive social spaces
9. Include modern technology/ simulation areas
10. Include different activity spaces

1. Have a Salutogenic approach to design | Rehabilitation Centres

The theory was proposed by Aaron Antonovsky that focuses on the factors that support human health.
A Salutogenic approach in architecture is to simulate the natural recovery of health through psychological
stimuli. The design should enhance the patient’s manageability, comprehensibility, and meaningfulness of life.
It should incorporate good circulation, open spaces, healing gardens, etc.
A salutogenic model applied in designing Credit Valley Hospital Cancer care facilities can be seen by its large
open spaces, easy wayfinding, and nature-inspired form.

View of Credit valley center with trees inspired columns ©www.architecturemagazine.com

2. Home away from home

Spaces should be designed with a familiar and homely atmosphere by implementing materials, textures,
accessories, and functions which are found in our homes. The atmosphere is beneficial as it is seen as more
friendly and gives a holistic experience to the user. It makes the patient comfortable and reduces the social
anxiety that comes with new places.
Subtle, calm colors and ample amount of daylight of the Alpha healing center in Gujarat make it feel like home
for patients taking drug addiction treatment.
Figure 3 ©www.alphahealingcenter.in©

3.

Biophilic environment help in the healing 1www.alphahealingcenter.in

Figure 2www.alphahealingcenter.in
process | Rehabilitation Centres
Every human tends to seek nature and other forms of life such as plants, animals, landscapes, etc. The design
should incorporate greener spaces as it has a positive effect on patients. It may also have animal-assisted
intervention such as spaces designed to attract butterflies, birds, etc.
Example- Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore has designed healing spaces with roof gardens, cascading
greenery, sunken courtyard to make you feel close to nature.
 ©www.greenroofs.com

©www.twitter.com

©www.3blmedia.com

4. Layout of furniture
It plays an important factor in designing a rehabilitation center. The challenge for the architect is to diversify the
designed spaces and provide a choice for the patients to decide between social interaction or solitude depending
on the circumstances or state of mind.
One Taste Holistic Health Club in China utilizes natural materials such as stone and wood for its interior. It uses
niches for private seating and bigger open spaces for social interaction and informal seating layout.
©www.crox.com

©www.crox.com
 ©www.crox.com

©www.crox.com

5. Design open-air indoor activity spaces such as courtyards,

amphitheaters, etc | Rehabilitation Centres
Courtyards in the Indian context helps in keeping the thermal comfort of the space as well as provide an activity
and interaction space for everyone. The spaces must gradually flow from intimate, semi-public then public
spaces. Designers must understand the personal and public sphere of patients and work toward the
interconnection of it.
Example Muktangan’s amphitheater by Shirish Beri which has an amphitheater in the center of the ward. It
enhances the social sphere and gives a protected feeling to the patient where lots of activities can take place
without the outside world’s distraction.
 ©w ww.shirishberi.com
©www.shirishberi.com

6. Focus on the sense of control and manageability by patients

The plan should be easy to navigate and should be patient-friendly. A patient should feel he/she is in control of
his environment and life circumstances are very fortifying. The feeling of totally out of control induces anxiety
and is disempowering.
Epilepsy residential care home by Atelier Martel is designed with a focus on self-wayfinding and identification
of spaces by patients weakened by seizures. The square plan has four courtyards for different functions. The
inner corridors have smooth tactile flooring and walls are covered with colorful wool tapestry to give a sense of
home and be an identification marker.
©www.archdaily.com ©www.archdaily.com

©www.archdaily.com

7. Create a Sensory experience

The design should incorporate different materials, textures, colors, and spaces which target all five human
senses. Reflexology track, healing gardens, water bodies, are some of the examples which benefit different
sensory actions.
“A healing Space” designed by 2form architecture is inspired by Japanese design styles. It creates a space that is
rejuvenating from the moment you enter. It utilizes organic materials and textures to give a holistic sensory
experience of all senses to its patients.
 ©www.ouehealingspace.com

©www.ouehealingspace.com

©www.ouehealingspace.com

8. Design interactive social spaces | Rehabilitation Centres

Large gathering spaces are needed for educational gatherings, group therapy, and social interaction with family
members. The architect should design a variety of exterior and interior social spaces for the patient to use as per
their treatment. The interactive environment reduces the feeling of loneliness and fear in the rehabilitation
center.
Maggie’s Leeds center by Heatherwick studio explores natural and tactile materials, soft lighting, and a variety
of social interaction spaces. Rooftop gardens, multi-level spaces, and diverse seating arrangements give plenty
of c hoice for the patient’s ne eds.

©www.archdaily.com©www.archdaily.com©www.archdaily.com

9. Include modern technology/ simulation areas

Nowadays, with rapid progress in technology, rooms are being designed to enhance the patient’s therapy by
giving life simulating virtual experiences. Such rooms sometimes need soundproofing and high ceilings to
incorporate the equipment.
For Example, Ottawa Hospital installed state of art virtual simulation screens to help people with a temporary
disability to gain strength in walking and social activities.

©www.ottawahospital.com
10. Include different activity spaces | Rehabilitation Centres
Activities such as swimming, gyms, sports facilities should be included in the design so that the patients can
entertain themselves in their free time. Rehabilitation is about strengthening the body as well as the spirit of
patients through different activities.
1. Musholm extension rehabilitation center by AART architects includes a large multipurpose hall
with sports facilities for physically disabled people.
2. Therapeutic pools designed for La Esperanza School by Fuster + Architects

©www.archdaily.com

©www.archdaily.com

Some common needs and challenges that rehabilitation centers may face include:
 Qualified Staff
 Comprehensive Services
 Facility Design
 Equipment and Resources
 Continuity of Care
 Evidence-Based Practices
1. Qualified Staff: Ensuring the availability of skilled healthcare professionals who specialize in addiction
treatment, mental health support, and behavioral therapy.
2. Comprehensive Services: Offering a wide range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of
individuals seeking rehabilitation.
3. Facility Design: Creating an environment that promotes healing, comfort, privacy, and safety for
patients.
4. Equipment and Resources: Providing state-of-the-art equipment, tools, and resources necessary for
effective treatment and therapy.
5. Collaboration: Establishing partnerships with other healthcare providers, community organizations, and
support networks to enhance patient care.
6. Continuity of Care: Ensuring a smooth transition from inpatient to outpatient care or other follow-up
services to support long-term recovery.
7. Evidence-Based Practices: Incorporating evidence-based treatment approaches and staying up-to-date
with advancements in the field of rehabilitation.

Few guidelines to incorporate in designing any rehabilitation center (Mhapsekar, 2023):

1. Have a Salutogenic approach to design

2. Home away from home

3. Biophilic environment help in the healing process

4. Layout of furniture

5. Design open-air indoor activity spaces such as courtyards, amphitheaters, etc

6. Focus on the sense of control and manageability by patients

7. Create a Sensory experience

8. Design interactive social spaces

9. Include modern technology/ simulation areas

10. Include different activity spaces

 Summary:

Rehabilitation centers commonly encounter with several key challenges, including the need for qualified
staff specializing in addiction treatment and mental health support, the provision of comprehensive services
to meet diverse patient needs, the creation of healing-focused facility designs that prioritize comfort and
safety, and the availability of state-of-the-art equipment and resources. Collaboration with healthcare
providers and community organizations, ensuring continuity of care, and the integration of evidence-based
practices are also essential.

Additionally, when designing these centers, it's crucial to adopt a salutogenic approach, providing a home-
like atmosphere with biophilic elements, carefully planned furniture layouts, open-air indoor spaces, a sense
of patient empowerment, sensory experiences, interactive social areas, modern technology, and diverse
activity spaces. These considerations collectively enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation centers and
support the well-being of patients seeking recovery.

References:

 Mhapsekar, N. (2023). 10 things to remember while designing Rehabilitation Centres. RTF | Rethinking the
Future. https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a1907-10-things-to-remember-while-
designing-rehabilitation-centres/