Healthcare environments are among the most emotionally demanding spaces people encounter. Patients, visitors, and healthcare professionals often experience stress, uncertainty, fatigue, and information overload, making the quality of the physical environment a significant component of the overall healthcare experience. This project explored how architecture can contribute to wellbeing by addressing not only clinical requirements but also the emotional and cognitive needs of its users.

Developed in collaboration with healthcare architect Tye Farrow and the consultancy Thema, the project involved the preparation of a neuroscientific brief for a new acute-care hospital in Padua. Drawing on neuroscience and environmental psychology, Tuning Arch investigated how environmental conditions influence orientation, stress regulation, recovery processes, and everyday interactions within healthcare settings.

The study examined themes such as environmental legibility, access to natural light, restorative spaces, views towards nature, and the organisation of movement throughout the hospital complex. Particular attention was devoted to reducing cognitive burden and improving the clarity of patient journeys, recognising that confusion and uncertainty can significantly affect emotional wellbeing.

The resulting framework translated scientific evidence into practical design strategies capable of informing decisions at multiple scales, from overall spatial organisation to the experience of individual users. The project demonstrates how healthcare architecture can support healing, comfort, and human dignity through environments designed around the principles of neuroscience and environmental psychology.

Works List

Year: 2022
Location: Padova
Service: Neuro Brief
Size: 120.000 mq