Greenscapes of Wellness: Redefining Hospitals through Nature and Daylight

Khulna University of Engineering & Technology

Project idea

This hospital design proposal addresses the critical inadequacies of existing Bangladeshi healthcare infrastructure—namely overcrowding, inefficient layouts, and poor environmental conditions. The project’s core vision is to establish a passive healing hospital facility in an urban context, prioritizing natural light and green-soaked ventilation as therapeutic elements. By integrating light wells and therapeutic gardens into the spatial organization, the design aims to create a calming, stress-reducing environment for both patients and caregivers. This approach not only fosters quicker healing but also improves staff productivity and patient satisfaction. The project is both a response to current healthcare demands and a forward-thinking prototype for future hospital infrastructure in Bangladesh.

Project description

The proposed hospital is to be situated along the Rupsha River in Khulna, with the site area of 28628 square meter, capitalizing on its scenic and urban connectivity. The hospital is strategically positioned to serve major residential zones—making it a vital healthcare hub within Khulna’s urban framework. Its accessibility is reinforced by direct connectivity to key arterial roads such as 7 Number Ghat and Jora gate. The site design incorporates dedicated entry points for emergency services, general public access, and service vehicles, ensuring smooth, non-conflicting circulation and enhancing overall operational efficiency. The spatial strategy divides the hospital into three zones based on user movement—Fast Movement, Semi-Movement, and Limited Movement zones—ensuring controlled circulation and improved functionality. Healing gardens and lightwells are central to the layout, visually and spatially linking indoor waiting areas, wards, OTs, and diagnostic zones to nature. This not only facilitates passive healing but also enhances spatial orientation and natural ventilation. The design draws inspiration from global examples of therapeutic healthcare architecture, and is tailored to the local climatic and social context, ensuring both sustainability and emotional comfort.

Technical information

The proposed hospital facility is planned as a multi-story structure consisting of a ground floor and four upper levels, organized to handle high patient volume and complex healthcare operations efficiently. The hospital is designed with three clearly separated entry points to ensure smooth, conflict-free circulation and optimized operational flow: one for general access (serving outpatient and inpatient departments), one exclusively for emergency cases, and a third dedicated to service functions, including the mortuary and supply delivery. This strategic segregation of access enhances functional efficiency, maintains privacy and hygiene in critical zones, and prevents congestion during peak operational hours.
The spatial planning is informed by a three-tiered circulation strategy to ensure smooth and safe movement of users. The Fast Movement Zone accommodates high-traffic functions such as Emergency Services and Outpatient Departments, facilitating easy access for patients, attendants, and the public. The Semi-Movement Zone houses Diagnostic and support services including Laboratories, Radiology, and Pharmacies, where patient interaction is moderate and controlled. The Limited Movement Zone, strictly regulated for hygiene and safety, includes Operating Theatres, Intensive Care Units, and other Critical Care facilities.
Passive design principles are central to the hospital’s technical strategy. Vertical light wells are strategically placed to bring natural daylight deep into the building’s core, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and fostering psychological comfort. Therapeutic gardens are seamlessly integrated into the architecture, adjoining waiting areas, wards, and semi-outdoor spaces to promote passive healing through nature immersion. The IPD and OPD Rooms have been maximized by these principles. IPD patients gets the ultimate cross-ventilation system that is designed to leverage the site’s proximity to the river, utilizing prevailing breezes and vegetative buffers to cool interior spaces and improve air quality.
Environmental and climatic responsiveness is another key technical concern. Measures such as soundproofing are incorporated to mitigate the impact of nearby noise sources, including river terminals and railway crossings. The use of Wooden Screen panels, shaded green spaces and naturally ventilated corridors supports the development of a microclimate conducive to health and comfort. Construction techniques and material selection consider local flood risks and temperature fluctuations. The building’s structure respects height limitations while ensuring flood resistance and long-term durability through careful planning and material integrity.

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