Sustainable Healthcare Environments: The Implications of Healing Architectural Design in Women’s Hospitals in Lagos

Abstract

This paper examines the implication of healing architectural design in women’s hospitals (WHs) in Lagos, Nigeria, focusing on it dual benefits for patient wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Using a pragmatic approach, data were collected through structured questionnaire from the patients and healthcare providers analysed based on themes and statistical software (SPSS26) for descriptive statistics. Quantitative results on a Likert scale of 1 to 10 reveal that artificial lighting (mean 7.62), air quality (mean 7.50), and spatial arrangement (mean 8.04) were highly rated for their therapeutic effects, while exposure to nature (mean 5.70) and water features (mean 3.10) were less impactful due to their limited presence in WHs in Lagos. The results align with existing studies on healing architecture, confirming that integrating natural lighting, ventilation, and adaptable spaces not only improves the wellbeing of patients but reduces energy usage and improves climate resilience. This study underscores the value of evidence-based architectural solutions that integrate health and environmental goals, situating healing architecture within broader sustainable development objectives. This paper advocates for a patient-centred, ecologically responsible approach to healthcare design in Nigeria's urban centres.