Factors affecting roof garden design in the planning and design of hospital building

Abstract

This research focuses the factors affecting the implementation of roof gardens in the processes of planning and design of hospital building that would contribute to the quality improvement of future design of roof gardens. The premise of study is to review, identify and establish the significant relationships between the roof gardens and the healing environment in hospital buildings. At the outset, an overview of hospital development, principles of design and ways to achieve hospital roof gardens design that would enhance healing in hospital patients were reviewed. The physical factors affecting the planning and design of roof gardens in creating a healing environment of hospital buildings were identified and classified into three categories: design, climate and construction. The impacts and significance of roof gardens on the environment, economics, and humans (staff and patients) in hospital buildings were also discussed. The methodology employed in this study includes both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A questionnaire survey was developed and distributed to 86 respondents (patients and medical staff) randomly selected from Serdang Hospital to measure the visibility, accessibility, availability, and satisfaction of hospital roof gardens and its relation to the healing process. Field observations were also conducted in the study. The study successfully identified the key factors to be addressed and considered to enhance the design and planning for future hospital roof gardens that include (1) location, accessibility and visibility, (2) comfortability and familiarity, (3) safety and security, (4) senses stimulation, and (5) service and maintenance. The preliminary findings conclude that there is a significant positive relationship between hospital roof gardens and the patients’ healing process. The study highlighted that the need for future healthcare designers to collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams in the integration of roof gardens in the planning and design of hospital building in order to improve the quality of healing environment.