This weekend marks the first public open house of a new hospital in the Detroit area, Henry Ford West Bloomfield.  I must say this is no ordinary hospital.   From the 1920s themed town square at the main entrance, to interior health food stores, health-smart cooking lecture hall, exquisite Feng Shui-inspired interior architecture and decor, to private patient rooms now renamed lodges, you immediately feel more comfortable than you would expect.   Certainly, that is the whole point, with additional amenities that are detailed to not only help the sick and their families feel more comfortable but also aid the health and promotion of keeping them that way.  This $360 million new construction is being closely watched by health care professionals around the country and I am very honored to have my work as part of it.

Healthcare wall art

Prints of my images, health care fine art if you will, from 12x18s to 24x36s, appear in many of the patient lodges, the maternity “suites”, and in various hallways and corridors throughout the building.   I was kindly given the opportunity to go in and photograph the installs before the hospital opens on March 15, 2009.   Photographing interiors is a bit new for me, a little different than being in the woods.  But I tried to follow the same principles – look for interesting foregrounds!   I had to be very quiet in the maternity area because I came across an early patient that seemed to be sleeping more soundly than any baby I have ever seen.  🙂

In a place where people may have the best, and unfortunately some of the worst moments of their lives, I can certainly appreciate the attention to detail in helping create a soothing environment as possible.     Exposure to nature, even if only through pictures, has a proven positive impact on our mental health. So looking to nature as a design element for relief and refuge in healthcare is always a wise choice. 

Modern Hospital Design uses colors and curves to promote calm

Curved walls, round flowing curves on floors, and ceilings are plentiful in this new section of Henry Ford Hospital.  The patient lodges have a 5-star hotel feel to them. Many of them overlook a large indoor “park” filled with tropical plants and an “open-air” chapel surrounded by nature.   This is the core philosophy in biophilic design. Warm, inviting and harmonious color palettes are found throughout. Attention to detail is everywhere, right down to the leaf-decorated hallway lamps, and stained glass above the patient room doors that illuminate with color. 

All of this isn’t intended to overshadow what I am sure is some pretty amazing medical technology which is in more detail on Henry Ford’s website and their blog.

Nature art in health care

The open house at Henry Ford West Bloomfield is Saturday, February 28 from 12-8 pm.   I am not exactly sure how the public tours will be conducted or the access is given, but certainly, there will be tours of at least the patient lodges and the main street area.   I will be hanging around early in the day.   If you have a chance to see this innovative addition to Michigan’s health care system – it is definitely worth the trip.

New hospital expansion or project?

If you are an architect, designer, or art consultant working on new hospital construction, I hope that you will consider using biophilic and evidence-based design principles. These are clinically proven benefits in improving patient outcomes in healthcare settings. I also invite you to contact me to see if we can find a good fit between subjects in my nature photography galleries and the amazing environment you are creating.