Osaji, EE, Price, ADF and Demian, P
2008,
Conceptualising a virtual built healing environment
, in: The 5th International Conference on Innovation in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), 23rd-25th June 2008, Antalya, Turkey.
Abstract
The need for an understanding of how innovative solutions can be used during the
design of new hospitals is growing and many National Health Service (NHS)
infrastructures are facing new challenges. For instance, in 2001 the first NHS privately
financed hospital, the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle faced problems that included:
overcrowding due to inadequate bed space provision; overheating due to the design
and use of a glass atrium, with maximum temperatures reaching over 35°C; and
collapsed ceilings. Furthermore, the British Broadcasting Service (BBC) (2007)
reported that NHS Trusts in England were struggling to meet current hygiene
standards. This highlights the existence of design challenges in these hospitals in the
creation of Built Healing Environments (BHEs) that enhance patient wellbeing, staff
performance, operational efficiency and medical outcomes.
There have been considerable advances in Construction Information Technology (IT),
especially in Computer Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modelling (BIM),
Parametric Modelling and Environmental Simulation, 3D Visualisation, Virtual
Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). This paper aims to review the advances in
CAD and BIM applications during healthcare infrastructure planning, design and
construction. Their application to healthcare infrastructure problems will be reviewed
in order to conceptualise a Virtual Built Healing Environment (VBHE). The VBHE
would provide the opportunity for a comprehensive knowledge base of various
healthcare infrastructure-related innovative design solutions and the construction IT
software, hardware and equipment needed to develop such solutions, including a
Healthcare Infrastructure Digital Mock-Up Facility (HIDMUF).
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit record (repository staff only) |