By Hannah Hickok
Well-being is a growing priority in commercial spaces, but in health care hubs, it has always been the bottom line. At hospitals and doctor’s offices, aesthetics are a nonstarter if the design isn’t safe. For designers, creating uplifting yet safe wellness spaces is a complicated puzzle that requires overcoming physical challenges, regulations and—perhaps even trickier—the negative association with death, disease, disability and aging. But the design innovations happening in this sphere—from dentist’s offices and hospitals to senior living facilities—have the power to positively transform how we see these spaces, as well as the stigma and fear around what happens in them.
People who work in health care are well aware of how surroundings can impact patients’ well-being. “The space plays a tremendous role in the healing process, so health care designers are dedicated to making the environments uplifting,” says Mary Holt, president of upholstery at Carnegie, a New York–based performance textiles manufacturer that produces a range of health care–grade textiles and coverings. “They’d like to contribute to the health of the patient, and also visitors and staff. Of course, they take safety very seriously, so they are also constantly pushing the envelope of what can meet both aesthetic and safety criteria.”
While health care safety criteria are complex—more on that in a minute—the aesthetics are simple: People want to feel at home when discussing a recovery plan, receiving a treatment or relocating to an assisted living facility. Fortunately, that’s easier to accomplish now than ever before, according to Sara Balderi, principal designer at Designtex, an applied materials manufacturer owned by Steelcase. Technological advancements in yarns, processes and materials for performance fabrics allow designers to reach beyond the basic requirements of a given textile, she says—so much so that evidence-based design and biophilic principles were integral to shaping the company’s recent Biophilia 2.0 collection, which features soft, durable and cleanable fabrics that have the look of linen, large-scale stylized patterns inspired by organic shapes found in nature, and coated fabrics with metallic accents. “This blending between residential, work, hospitality and health care environments will continue,” predicts Balderi. “Why shouldn't we feel as cozy and calm at a hospital as we do in our own homes?”
For designers, creating that sense of comfort can be a challenge when the fabrics traditionally used to evoke a warmth—cottons, wools, leathers—are off the table. A space like a hospital demands performance materials that can not only endure high traffic, but also withstand rigorous disinfection standards, including repeated washing at 160-plus degrees or the ability to be bleach-cleaned. A recent silicone hybrid upholstery collection of Carnegie’s accomplishes cleanability (high-end polycarbonate polyurethane is coated with wipeable, medical-grade silicone) while its print mimics the texture and depth of woven jacquard fabric. Best of all, the collection excludes chemicals and coatings like PVC that off-gas and can harm patients or the environment. “This product is a real breakthrough,” says Holt. “It’s easy to clean and maintain but still has a great aesthetic.”
Though PVC is still used in many products for its endurance and cleanability, concerns about ecological impact, toxicity and flammability have led to health care clients specifically requesting products without it—along with a laundry list of other potentially harmful materials. “More and more, we are being asked to remove added chemistry from our products,” says Catherine Stowell, creative director at Designtex. “Where we can, we’re committed to preemptively removing chemicals like flame retardants, stain repellents and antimicrobials.”