{"id":817041,"date":"2023-07-31T14:39:39","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T18:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/?p=817041"},"modified":"2024-08-05T14:19:50","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T18:19:50","slug":"designing-healing-spaces-with-the-comfort-of-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/research\/articles\/topics\/healthcare\/designing-healing-spaces-with-the-comfort-of-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Designing Healing Spaces with the Comfort of Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

James Killinger never devoted much thought to healthcare spaces. The senior West Elm designer was far more familiar with cozy couches and warm interiors than busy waiting rooms or clinical exam spaces.<\/p>\n

But that all changed in October of 2017, when his fiance, Melody, received life-altering news that would set both her and James on a years-long journey of healing, hope \u2013 and somewhat unexpectedly \u2013 design discovery. Melody was diagnosed with a form of leukemia common for children but rare in adults her age. As her caretaker, the battle that ensued required James to spend countless hours in waiting and patient rooms \u2013 a difficult experience that opened his eyes to the dreary and uninspiring environments typically found in healthcare settings. \u201cThe thing no one tells you about cancer,\u201d Killinger tells Work Better, \u201cis just how boring it is. You\u2019re waiting for examinations, for tests, for results, and, of course, for the actual chemo treatments to finish. It\u2019s just one, long series of really terrible living rooms.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was around this same time that Killinger found himself working on a new furniture project that would eventually become part of the West Elm Health collection \u2013 a collaboration with Steelcase focused on designing furniture that\u2019s engineered to be comfortable and inviting, but durable and cleanable to stand up to around-the-clock clinical use. \u201cAs a guy who designs nice, warm, cozy things for a living,\u201d adds Killinger, \u201cI knew there were some opportunities in these spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Patient
Patient waiting and lounge spaces that reflect the warmth of home rather than a sterile, clinical space can be conducive to calming patients and encourage more positive health outcomes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What James came to understand personally was that health spaces and the furnishings therein needed to change. Seth Starner, manager of advanced explorations with Steelcase Health agrees that healthcare spaces have important real-world impacts on patients and staff and need empathetic design.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen individuals are unwell, anxious or traumatized, a healthcare space designed to be comforting and inviting can help foster a calmer state of mind,\u201d says Starner. \u201cIt also facilitates better communication and understanding between patients, their families and healthcare providers \u2013 even during difficult conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n

When patients walk into a space that is poorly designed \u2013 that exudes a cold and institutional aesthetic \u2013 it inadvertently affects the perception of quality of care. Creating environments that reflect the patient’s preferences and values can enhance their overall experience. By considering comfort, aesthetics and functionality, healthcare spaces can convey a level of care and attention that extends beyond medical treatment itself.<\/p>\n

\"Waiting
Clinical waiting and transition spaces that exude warmth and the familiarity of home can help put patients at ease. These spaces signal that the patient\u2019s experience is important, which can influence the patient\u2019s overall perception of quality of care.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To further improve patient experiences, healthcare organizations can adopt a more holistic approach where spaces better resemble neighborhoods \u2014 where people can be together and also find nearby places for solitude. This can foster a sense of belonging and connectedness between patients and staff. By incorporating communal areas, cozy lounges and inviting waiting rooms, healthcare facilities can create an atmosphere that feels and acts more like home and the surrounding community. This approach not only humanizes the healthcare experience but also provides a comforting environment that benefits everyone.
\n\u201cUnfortunately, many of us have had to spend a night next to a loved one in a \u2018bed chair\u2019 \u2013 you know, when you push two chairs together to make a bed\u201d Killinger says. \u201cThat\u2019s the kind of thing I would love to look at going forward \u2013 how can we make the furniture in these spaces more functional? How can we make sure it services real needs?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starner echoes that approach. \u201cThe majority of the time at a clinic, you\u2019re waiting. So how can we help create a better experience? It\u2019s about creating a diversity of environments, so other parts of life can continue while you’re engaged in this often drawn-out, sometimes difficult experience,\u201d Starner says.<\/p>\n

\n

New Lookbook: Making Space for Health<\/h3>\n

We believe that experiences of care begin with more caring spaces. In our latest lookbook, see how we combine research with design in a holistic approach to help make spaces that care for the whole person.<\/p>\n

Request Lookbook<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\"A
Comfortable spaces situated near clinical areas can offer clinicians and staff a place nearby to decompress and unwind in between treating patients.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

West Elm Health Collection by Steelcase Health<\/strong>
\nKillinger\u2019s work on the West Elm Health Collection<\/a> is meant to bridge that gap between home and hospital. Comprising four pieces currently, the collection creates a welcoming and comfortable aesthetic for healthcare lobbies, reception areas, waiting spaces, transition spaces, cafes and clinician respite areas. The combined expertise of West Elm and Steelcase creates inspiring spaces that are more comfortable, humanizing and conducive to healing.<\/p>\n

A Happy Ending<\/strong>
\nSome five years after getting the fateful news that his fiance had leukemia, KIllinger\u2019s journey has come full circle. In the waning months of his partner\u2019s cancer treatments, Melody\u2019s clinic moved to a brand-new building and now occupies a bright, cheery space replete with the warm and welcoming West Elm furniture Killinger himself helped design.<\/p>\n

And, today, Melody is cancer free.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing to remember is that people are usually not having a great day if they need to spend a lot of time in these spaces,\u201d Killinger says. \u201cIf we can make that experience a little easier \u2013 a little warmer, a little friendlier \u2013 that makes me feel pretty good as a designer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

James Killinger is the West Elm senior designer for Work & Office. He has additional experience in interior, graphic, and multimedia design. Killinger boasts a mix of practical and conceptual skills that he applies across iterations on ideas, materials, processes and new technologies.<\/p>\n

James discusses his experience with Katie Pace from Steelcase<\/a><\/p>\n

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