Architecture for Health Transforms Design of Healing Spaces

The Architecture for Health program at Texas A&M University is reshaping the design of health care facilities through innovative, evidence-based approaches. This initiative emphasizes the significant impact of design on healing environments, aiming to create spaces that genuinely support recovery. According to Dr. Roxana Jafari, assistant professor of architecture and program director, “Design impacts healing.” She highlights that while the environment’s role is critical in health outcomes, it is often overlooked, and her team is determined to change that.

Innovative Learning and Real-World Applications

The program serves as a living laboratory, allowing students to construct full-scale mockups of health care environments. This hands-on experience enables them to test layouts, workflows, and design choices in collaboration with medical professionals. These mockups provide a unique opportunity for clinicians to evaluate spaces before they are built, ensuring that the final designs enhance safety and functionality. Utilizing AI-driven simulations, students can track behavior patterns that inform design improvements.

In a recent graduate-level design studio led by Jafari, students partnered with Page, a national architecture firm, to develop iterations for an ambulatory orthopedic surgery center. This collaboration facilitated direct feedback from Page’s design team, focusing on optimizing the operating room for orthopedic procedures. The program’s influence extends beyond Texas, with students participating in global initiatives aimed at improving health care design.

One notable project took place in Rwanda, where Texas A&M students worked alongside health care professionals and local partners to design a maternity center in the rural village of Ruli. Co-hosted with the Rwanda Children Educational Foundation, the initiative aimed to create a culturally responsive and sustainable facility that supports maternal and infant health. Students traveled to Rwanda to conduct site visits, engage with community members, and refine their designs based on the specific needs identified during their interactions.

A Legacy of Health Care Design Excellence

Founded over 45 years ago, the Architecture for Health program is one of the earliest in the United States to focus specifically on health care environments. The program continues to set the benchmark for excellence, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience working with leading firms like HKS, HDR, and Stantec, which are part of its Health Industry Advisory Council. Each year, 20 to 30 students participate, many of whom earn a graduate certificate in health systems and design.

The program’s emphasis on wellness and user-centered design equips students for careers across various fields, including aviation and residential design, where understanding the intersection of people and environments is essential. As the program approaches its fifth decade, Jafari is keen on expanding its outreach and impact.

This summer, students are evaluating a sensory room prototype designed to alleviate stress and anxiety, reflecting a growing focus on mental health and student well-being. Future initiatives will explore how AI, immersive environments, and interdisciplinary collaboration can further enhance the design of health care spaces. “I’ve worked with students at several institutions, and I’m constantly impressed by the talent and dedication of Aggies,” said Jafari. “They’re not just learning to design buildings; they’re motivated to design for healing.”

The Architecture for Health program continues to demonstrate a profound commitment to improving health care environments, reaffirming the critical connection between design and patient recovery.