The 2017 UIA Public Health Group (UIA-PHG) International Young Architect Competition is aimed to increase the awareness of undergoing transitions of healthcare systems and services, encourage the young generation to actively engage in healthcare design, and sparkle the discussion on future facilities. The theme of the competition is to design a healthcare facility that can fulfill the needs of users and providers in the future.
Ezas Faris Aiman, University of Malaya former student who graduated from Master of Architecture course in 2016, utilized his final year architecture design studio project (design thesis) as a prototype design. His design thesis is a small hospital in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, with 100 beds close to the community it serves. The design was inspired by the social and cultural phenomenon of the Malaysian street, and adopted the traditional shop-house facade and spatiality as well as mimicked the existing old Pudu site context. Yet, the concept works efficiently as a hospital with universal access for patients and medical staff.
The idea that small is beautiful and homely adds to the total concept of a 'hospital as a home'. A well thought out responsive design for the tropical climate, based on the traditional courtyard, with sensory gardens interspersed as pocket spaces for waiting area, corridors and in-between spaces and incorporating the traditional shophouses' 'air well' elements was introduced to create 'breathable spaces' in between specialists and medical blocks to allow light and air to filter through. To ensure his design served community needs and healthcare requirements, Ezas Faris Aiman had also consulted people who were directly involved in healthcare.
Contact information:
Associate Prof. Dr. Naziaty Binti Mohd Yaacob
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment,
University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
[email protected]
