Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM: Room 163 [C29]

Presenter: Samantha G. Viveiros

Faculty Sponsor: Rose Mary Botti-Salitsky

School: UMass Dartmouth

Research Area: Architecture and Urban Planning

ABSTRACT

Institutional settings should be designed to prioritize the comfort of patients, healthcare professionals, and visitors. With this in mind, design elements in clinical settings need to support the human experience. FMC Coronary Care Unit (CCU) is a thesis project that explores how design elements can fully support patients, healthcare providers, and family members, focusing on Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts. The rationale for the study is to contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding healthcare design and creating spaces that nurture and support the human experience. Sometimes, these spaces can be the last places of life. No one deserves to leave this world in a thoughtlessly designed space.

Historical, observational, and interactive research methods were employed to understand the needs of coronary patients, specialized healthcare professionals, and struggling family members. Findings highlight the importance of clear sightlines, adequate circulation, accessible infrastructure, infection control strategies, and natural light integration. Further explored is the value of family-centered design, implementing single-patient rooms, and flexible solutions to support all users. Implementation of evidence-based design methodology ensured that all design elements and decisions included within the CCU are selected with appropriate application, longevity and sustainability in mind.

Ultimately, FMC Coronary Care Unit will reimagine the clinical environment as a space that balances clinical efficiency with emotional support. This design study aims to revitalize every users’ experience by prioritizing dignity, comfort, and resilience through designing intentional spaces that improve the human experience.