La Vie Executive Health Centre, a leader in personalized and comprehensive healthcare, recently unveiled its newest location in Oakville, Ontario. Committed to “revolutionizing healthcare with cutting-edge technology and compassionate care“, La Vie has established itself as a cornerstone of private healthcare in the province for over 15 years. This new Oakville facility embodies this mission, offering top-tier medical services, prioritizing patient well-being, and providing a holistic approach to healthcare by integrating biophilic design principles.
This case study explores how incorporating biophilic design principles, or nature-based elements, into the healthcare environment can significantly improve patient well-being and overall experience. We will examine how integrating aspects of nature fosters a sense of calm and reduces stress, ultimately contributing to a more positive experience and aiding in a holistic health journey.
BACKGROUND
Founded over 15 years ago, the La Vie Executive Health practice (La Vie) has established a reputation for excellence in personalized care. The team at La Vie Oakville is comprised of highly skilled medical professionals, including experienced physicians, specialists, and healthcare experts. Services offered at La Vie range from in-depth wellness assessments to specialized services for pediatrics, prenatal screening, and even genetic testing, ensuring a comprehensive approach to healthcare for individuals and families.
Their dedication goes beyond the confines of the clinic walls, with a commitment to progressive healthcare approaches that prioritize patient well-being through a holistic healthcare approach. This dedication to patient-centred care extends to the design of the new Oakville facility, where biophilic design elements are implemented to create a healing environment that complements the expertise of the La Vie team.
BIOPHILIC DESIGN:
The cornerstone of La Vie Oakville’s design philosophy lies in the concept of biophilia. The term, popularized by Harvard University professor E.O. Wilson, describes the innate human desire to be connected with the natural world. The challenge is that human interaction with nature is often lacking in our modern-day societies due to urbanization and common building practices.
Biophilic design, therefore, takes inspiration from biophilia and incorporates elements of nature into our built environments. This can range from the strategic use of natural light to incorporating plants, water features, and other natural materials. By integrating these elements, biophilic design aims to create spaces that not only function well but also nurture the human-nature connection, leading to a range of potential benefits for health and well-being
OBJECTIVES:
In designing their new space, La Vie’s objectives centered on creating a physical embodiment of their mission: “revolutionizing healthcare with cutting-edge technology and compassionate care”. This translated to a space that actively supported patients’ holistic health journeys. While the inherent considerations of a healthcare facility – such as open design for functionality, patient comfort, privacy, and security – were paramount, the client also sought to creatively integrate live plants wherever possible. This fusion of functionality and biophilic design aimed to foster a healing environment that complemented the top-tier medical services being offered.
SOLUTION
La Vie sought out the New Earth Solutions team to help guide them through the design process and implementation of living architecture into their new space. The solution proposed to the La Vie team was two-fold. First, the installation of a Respira living wall system. This would be installed as a statement piece for the office, covering an entire wall in the communal eatery area. The second part of the plan was to install custom planters with living plants throughout the office – around the main lobby, in exam rooms and even the fitness area. This would create a connection with living plants throughout the facility and would tie the living wall feature in with the entire office design.
IMPLEMENTATION
The living wall installation covers an entire wall at 10 ft tall and 16 ft wide and contains over 500 individual plants. The plant species used in the living wall include: Ficus Burgundy, Warneckii Lemon-lime, Monstera Deliciosa and Philodendron Silver Sword. These plants were chosen as they bring a variety of colours to the design and work well together at different sizes to create a lush visual statement piece.
A total of 25 custom planters were dispersed throughout the office. These planters mainly hold Ficus Tineke, Birds of Paradise, and Dracaena Limelight to name a few.
RESULTS
PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS:
Biophilic design offers a compelling approach to healthcare environments, particularly when considering the psychological impact on patients. Conventional healthcare settings can unintentionally amplify stress as a result of limited control over surroundings, noise disturbances, and inadequate natural light which disrupt sleep patterns, immune function and hormonal regulation. This can be especially concerning for patients already dealing with anxiety.
With this in mind, many studies have been conducted which reveal the positive impact of biophilic design elements on stress reduction. According to a review of psychological literature by Gillis and Gatersleben titled “The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Biophilic Design“, the research shows that incorporating plants into healthcare environments significantly lowers stress levels. Additional research, reviewed in the Terrapin report on “The Economics of Biophilia, 2nd Edition”, indicates a clear link between a patient’s perception of their surroundings and their overall mental well-being. Exposure to natural elements, such as those found in a well-designed biophilic space, can foster feelings of relaxation, improved coping mechanisms, and a more positive outlook for patients navigating their healthcare journey.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS:
Beyond the psychological benefits, biophilic design can also offer physical health advantages within healthcare settings. Research by Zhao, Zhan and Xu, covered in their paper “Biophilic Design as an Important Bridge for Sustainable Interaction between Humans and the Environment” suggests that incorporating elements like natural light, greenery, and access to outdoor views can significantly accelerate patient recovery.
Our healthcare spaces are designed to foster healing and rehabilitation, and biophilic design is proving to have positive outcomes for improving patient health outcomes.
OVERALL WELLBEING:
The positive impact of biophilic design on a patient’s overall well-being is undeniable. Several studies have revealed significant improvements in both mental and emotional states when exposed to natural elements in a healthcare setting. The research by Zhao and colleagues found that 95% of patients and families reported lower stress levels, more positive attitudes, and enhanced coping skills when surrounded by nature. Additionally, incorporating elements like potted plants has been shown to improve subjective well-being in patients undergoing rehabilitation programs directly. This translates to a more positive healthcare experience, with patients in rooms containing vegetation reporting a 20% higher willingness to return compared to those in rooms without plants (according to the Terrapin report). These findings underscore the power of biophilic design to create a healing environment that fosters not only physical recovery but also improved mental and emotional well-being for patients.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
A study by Moslehian, Roös, Gaekwad, and Galen focusing on physician-patient relationships, demonstrated that indoor plants were the sole design feature found to have a buffering effect on physician-patient relationship stresses. This suggests that the integration of plants into design can not only benefit patients but also contribute to a more positive and productive work environment for healthcare staff.
In a survey sent out to the La Vie team, employees overwhelmingly praised the space, describing it as “beautiful”, “fresh”, and “calming”. The living wall, in particular, was a standout feature, offering a sense of tranquillity for employees throughout the workday. The positive impact extends beyond aesthetics, with staff reporting increased job satisfaction and a more pleasant work environment. This feedback highlights the potential of biophilic design to boost employee morale and productivity, ultimately contributing to a more positive and supportive workplace culture.
CONCLUSION
La Vie Oakville’s commitment to patient well-being extends far beyond medical expertise. By embracing biophilic design principles, they have created a healthcare environment that fosters a holistic approach to healing. The integration of natural elements, from the statement living wall to strategically placed planters, among many other design choices, enhances the aesthetics of the space while offering a range of potential health benefits.
Research has consistently shown that biophilic design can reduce stress and contribute to faster recovery times – factors that contribute to a more positive patient experience. This case study highlights the potential of biophilic design to revolutionize healthcare environments, creating spaces that nurture the human-nature connection and contribute to a comprehensive approach to well-being.