Perhaps the two words “Architecture” and “Medicine” next to each other is a new concept, yet the goal of this website is to discuss how these two fields have a potential to overlap for a better built environment to live and work in.
The fields of Architecture and Medicine have changed quite a bit in the past fifty years, and while there have been many beneficial developments in each of these very large fields, there are still gaps relative to health in the built environment.
These topics also include the increasingly important issues of building energy use and the impact on the ecology in terms of a more sustainable future.
“Building” the Bridge to Wellness
While there are great developments occurring in each profession, from green building, environmental psychology and building science in Architecture, to integrative medicine, evidence based design and environmental health in Medicine, these fields continue to be increasingly complex with many facets within each field.
The intent of Architectural Medicine is to help integrate these various fields for the General Public, as well as the overall fields of Architecture and Medicine. A main goal is to help define these various fields and to participate in creating bridges between these fields in how they might all fit together.
In this way, the average person as the General Public can feel empowered to make best decisions for themselves, their families and the future. Yet it’s also important to recognize that the professionals in these fields also deserve to have an integrated approach so they are able to address client and patient issues, and to utilize best practices towards health, healing and wellness.
Can Architecture Be Healing?
The impact that the built environment has on human health and well being is becoming a topic of increasing study, interest and recognition. Both the Medical fields and the many fields connected to Architecture are learning of this influence on human health in their research. As these fields continue to develop, there becomes an increasing need for these many fields to connect these “dots” of their research for the benefit of both the professions involved in the built environment and health, as well as the general public who is influenced and affected by the built environment.
Architectural Medicine works to connect these dots to provide updates on the latest information related to these various fields, and to help build bridges for a healthier, greener and a more sustainable built environment.
We have chosen to discuss this topic with the simple question, “Can Architecture Be Healing?”