Abstract
ISSUE: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is spreading throughout society at an ever–increasing rate. As greater numbers of people become ill, the need for high–quality health care increases proportionately, as does the need for high–quality health care environments. The hospice program enhances the life of the terminally ill by providing material and emotional support for the patient, family, and friends. It is important to design hospices for AIDS patients that will allow full implementation of the hospice philosophy.
APPLICATION: The design process used in this study exemplifies the approach used by design professionals when addressing a new problem. Identification and dissemination of such new information would provide interior design with a significant body of knowledge from which to develop creative solutions.
GOAL: The goals of this study were to identify design criteria and develop prototypes for required spaces within an AIDS hospice unit as well as exemplify the design process.
DESCRIPTION: The researchers analyzed the literature on AIDS and other long–term illnesses; the design of health care facilities; the hospice philosophy; and design of environments for hospices and special needs populations. Upon completion of the analysis of literature, a set of design criteria was developed to aid the design community in planning hospice unit spaces for people with AIDS (PWAs). The design criteria were developed based on the human ecosystem theory, identifying criteria in the natural, social, and designed environments. The design criteria were applied to the spaces commonly required by a hospice to assist functioning of the resident, nurses, family, and friends. Prototypes of hospice units were then developed.
CONCLUSION: These design criteria and prototype drawings provide guidelines to achieve a superior quality of life for all people using an AIDS hospice unit.
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