A master thesis from Aalborg University
Hjertehuset: A living community for ill children and their families
[Hjertehuset]
Author(s)
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-05-26
Pages
157 pages
Abstract
This thesis presents a proposal to enlighten the healthcare system with a new user-focused children’s hospice in Northern Denmark that acts as a living community for (terminally) ill children and their families. The thesis will address topics such as healing architecture and design for play but also attach importance to the design of a building with a low CO2 emission through Life Cycle Assessment. Children’s hospices are a new and rare typology in Denmark. However, empirical research in this thesis has proven the importance of a children’s hospice for families with a seriously ill child compared to the existing palliative care options for children, as it offers stability and care to the entire family. Hjertehuset is a result of the exploration about how healing architecture and the evidence-based impact of nature on the mental and physical wellbeing of a patient can contribute to a better life quality for a family with a (terminally) ill child. The design proposal is based on theories, case studies and (empirical) research as well as an attended competition brief by Buildner Architecture Competitions. By addressing healing architecture and it’s defined direction into palliative architecture and design for play this thesis prioritizes the user and their needs. Building materials are carefully considered through Life Cycle Assessment to create a building with a low CO2 emission. The result of this thesis is a new children’s hospice in Northern Denmark that acts as a living community embracing (terminally) ill children and their families while encouraging a close relationship to nature.
Documents
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