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CO-ASIS:

A Proposed Psychiatric Hospital and Research Facility

Mark Danielle S. Camitan

Architecture Department, College of Architecture and Fine Arts

Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology

ARRESMET: Research and Methods for Architecture

John Vincent R. Lopez, uap, pia, rmp

May 14, 2024

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Background of the Study

Physical environment is more like an extension of our brains - what we see determines our actions

and emotions, changes our behavior and even moderates our health. When the environment fails us, it

affects our mind therefore it also affects productivity and results which is more crucial for people with

mental illness (Psychological Design, 2020). If we are to observe institutional buildings, specifically

hospitals, its appearance and the overall design from exterior to interior is crucial for the process of

healing of a patient. No wonder why most patients didn’t want to go to hospitals because they felt more

sick staying there. Same with people who have a mental illness it is important.

During the pandemic, we have noticed that mental health related issues have increased in

numbers and there is no age and gender has been exempted and even after the pandemic it still exists.

(Dr. Cornelio Banaag Jr., 2023). In the Philippines, mental illness has become a common disability. In

fact, at least 3.6 million Filipinos are suffering from mental, neurological and substance use disorder,

according to the Department of Health (as cited in Philippine Mental Health Association, 2023). The

WHO estimated that 154 million Filipinos suffer from depression, 1 million from schizophrenia and 15.3

million from substance use disorders, while 877,000 die due to suicide every year. (World Health

Organization, 2018, as cited in Nicholle Mae Amor Tan Maravilla et al., 2021). With that said, the

increase of numbers of people struggling with mental health may affect the number of available facilities

resulting in overcrowding, poorly functioning units, chronic staff shortages and funding constraints.

(John Lally et al., 2019).

It is unfortunate that mental health remains poorly resourced: only 3-5% are given for mental

health, while 70% for hospital care and the majority of mental health services are provided in hospital

settings, leaving most of the mental health communities underdeveloped. (John Lally et al.,2019). The
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Philippines has only two tertiary care psychiatric hospitals: the National Center for Mental Health in

Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila (4200 beds) and the Mariveles Mental Hospital in Bataan, Luzon (500

beds). The objective of the Proposed Psychiatric Hospital is to change the traditional and common

design of a mental hospital in the Philippines and with these existing challenges, we will use it as an

opportunity to exercise resourcefulness. Now that the mental illness has been put into attention of

many of us, mental health organizations and other movements are promoting awareness and it is more

important to prepare a safe and comfortable place for these patients and break the stigma, through

Architectural Intervention and Innovation we can help them through their healing stage by creating

spaces that is more comfortable, sustainable and secured yet they are free so that they can still live

accordingly and not feel imprisoned.

Statement of the Problem

Mental hospital facilities in the Philippines are few and when it comes to design, it is most likely to

be neglected resulting in having a low chance of recovery of patients and shortage of health workers.

Sub-problems

● How can a well-designed facility for a mental hospital affect the wellness of a patient?

● How can a layout and configuration of spaces within a mental hospital play a big role in

facilitating patient privacy, safety and social interaction?

● How can a flexible design adapt according to the needs and treatment methods of a

patient?
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● How can we provide spaces for natural elements, such as greenery or natural light

without compromising security as well as comfort to promote well-being?

● How can we apply such measures to minimize environmental stressors, such as noise

and crowding?

Scope and Limitations

The Proposed Psychiatric Hospital scope focuses on providing psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis and

treatment for patients who have an acute psychiatric crisis. It aims to house patients that have no

immediate family outside the institution and give them opportunity to help inside the premises to

continue to live and have a new fresh start. The Hospital will also serve as a research facility and

education to improve health care procedures and services to be able to cater different mental health

cases.

However, there is a limitation to the project. Our main purpose is to build well-designed and

flexible facilities which will change the future of our Psychiatric Hospitals but we cannot assure that

architecture alone is a cure, rather it is a prevention for cases that if the environment itself is not good it

may get out of hand or worsen the condition of a patient, still it will depend on the overall situation of

every patient. Although we cannot attain a cure for all mental cases here in the Philippines, the project

will serve as an inspiration to developers working in the medical field.

Significance of the Study

Mental Health is as important as having good physical health. Its significance will help us

understand the true nature of these diseases, having a well-designed space will show how a patient will

respond to it. Architectural Intervention and Innovation will help not only the situation of the patients,

we also help our health workers to do their job and enjoy it making it a lifestyle. As aspiring architects,
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our job is to bring light to these people and still have a normal life in spite of having mental illnesses,

which will bring challenges in achieving it. Nonetheless, it will bring great impact not just for these

people but for all of us.

Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature

The design and operations of mental health research facilities and psychiatric hospitals have an

enormous impact on how well patients recover healthier and continue on with their lives. This review

focuses on the multidisciplinary literature on architectural problems, design principles, and therapeutic

settings relevant to mental health facilities. This review aims to provide insights for the future planning

and development of our mental hospitals in the country of the Philippines by drawing inspiration from a

synthesis of present concepts which will eventually result in an alternative approach that will improve

not only our healthcare facilities but also the wellbeing of patients and healthcare personnel.

Theories

Biophilic design

The basic human need to be in touch with nature is the foundation of biophilic design. The term

"biophilia," which was first used in the 1980s by American biologist Edward O. Wilson, refers to people's

intrinsic liking for other living things and natural systems. This idea is extended to the built environment

through biophilic design, which incorporates natural features to create environments that improve our

mental and physical health. (Integris Health, 2024)

The concepts of biophilic design can be used in a variety of contexts, including homes, workplaces,

educational institutions, and medical facilities. It entails careful consideration of natural light, materials,

colors, textures, and spatial layouts to emulate or convey the aspects of nature, going beyond simply

including plants. (Integris Health, 2024)

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Enhancing mental health and general well-being is one of the main advantages of biophilic design. It has

been demonstrated that exposure to natural elements—such as sunlight, vegetation, and water features

—reduces stress and improves mood as well as cognitive performance. By integrating these components

into interior design, surroundings that promote peace and quiet are produced. (Integris Health, 2024)

Evidence-Based Design

The process of creating a structure or physical environment based on scientific research in order to

achieve the best results is known as evidence-based design, or EBD. Research in evidence-based

medicine has demonstrated that environment design can impact patient outcomes, making EBD

particularly significant in this field. In addition, facilities management, urban planning, architecture,

interior design, and landscape architecture all use it. The broader trend towards evidence-based

practices includes evidence-based design. (HMC Architects,2018)

Environmental Psychology

An interdisciplinary social science called environmental psychology studies how people interact

with their environment. It takes into account how humankind shapes both the constructed and natural

environments, as well as how those environments shape us. Although it's a relatively recent topic in

psychology, the idea is not new. It is well known that people can find comfort in the natural world. In a

bustling metropolitan setting, we could feel energized, excited, or even intimidated. In our homes,

communities, or personal spaces, we could have a deep sense of contentment and tranquility. ( David

Diaz, 2022).

Human-Centered Design

Human-centered design recognizes that our emotions and mental health can be greatly influenced

by the built environment. Designers aim to elicit particular emotional reactions through the use of
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elements including color, lighting, texture, and spatial order. Warm hues and enough natural light, for

instance, can evoke feelings of coziness and warmth, while open areas and thoughtfully positioned

windows can encourage a sense of connection with the outside and calmness. Architects may contribute

to places that reduce stress, increase mood, and promote general mental health by adding aspects that

boost emotional well-being. (Elif Ayse Fidanci, 2023).

Article

The impact of behavioral health on design

Medical and behavioral health comorbidities can complicate care protocols, have a detrimental

impact on patient outcomes, and raise the expense of care, according to the American Heart

Association. (Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020). Recent increases in medical and behavioral health

comorbidity are believed to be caused by a number of variables, such as an aging population, an

increase in the prevalence of chronic illness, and escalating drug misuse problems. Despite the fact that

patients with co-occurring mental and physical health conditions are seen throughout the whole

spectrum of treatment, awareness is rising that the inpatient room layouts used today frequently fall

short of the specific requirements of this patient population and the caregivers who provide for them.

An all-encompassing strategy

Treatment for behavioral health issues now takes a more holistic approach, letting patients take

control of their recovery with team- and individual-based therapy in a safe and compassionate setting.
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In addition to being secure and comfortable, treatment facilities should emphasize human dignity and

personal empowerment. This will help patients take charge of their own recovery and act as a catalyst

for bettering healthcare practices. (Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020).

Special considerations

It is crucial to comprehend the particular needs for each mental health specialty to create a

supportive atmosphere, given the variety of specializations and age groups involved. Designing for

distinct populations should take into account their requirements, even though adult populations could

need a higher level of security. (Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020).

An aging population suggests that dementia and mental disease are becoming more common among

the elderly. The emergency room (ED) has become crowded largely because older patients are

frequently sent there for care. Due to their advanced age, these patients require longer stays, resulting

in taking up important ED space. Furthermore, the majority of emergency departments lack the

necessary resources to handle the unique demands of the elderly. Geriatric people need handrails in

hallways to facilitate ambulation due to their physical and medical restrictions. Fall prevention and sight

impairments should be taken into consideration when designing flooring and lighting.

The special needs of children and teenagers should be taken into consideration while designing facilities

for them. With time, their mental capacities and physical requirements alter, providing them with new

insights into their surroundings. An adolescent may not find the same things interesting as a young child,

yet the environment must accommodate everyone. Positive distractions have the potential to make a

child more responsive to treatment and require fewer prescription drugs, according to research. An

atmosphere that attempts to convey a sense of normalcy should be prioritized. Children are given

greater freedom to customize and manage their surroundings in the treatment room. In order to ease
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stress and anxiety, play areas are essential. Because they let kids interact with their surroundings, they

can facilitate learning and exploration.

Veterans' and service members' mental health can require a variety of care. PTSD, drug addiction, pain

management, sleep difficulties, traumatic brain injuries, and suicide are among the problems they deal

with. Psychological disorders are more widespread than PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, even though

they represent significant demands for mental health care.

A lot of veterans react differently to their surroundings because they believe that they are always in

danger, as well as their family. A veteran with war experience, for instance, could view open atrium

spaces as dangerous. Plane tree care, which emphasizes making spaces more hospitable and family-

friendly, has been adopted by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020).

Therapeutic Environment

A psychiatric patient's mental state can be significantly impacted by the nature of their immediate

environment. The number of patients that require restraint has dramatically decreased, according to the

New York Psychiatric Institute, (Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020) since they moved into their new building

with its airy, light interior. To the fullest extent possible, a therapeutic atmosphere should be

established by:

• Making use of comfortable, non-institutional materials in a variety of bright colors and textures; bear

in mind, however, that some patterns and colors are inappropriate and may cause confusion or agitation

in elderly patients or personnel.

• Allowing as much natural light as feasible.

• Including windows in each patient bed and, when feasible, providing views of the outside from other

areas. Natural scenery can provide solace.

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• Giving patients quick and easy access to designated outdoor spaces

• Creating enough space and soundproofing to keep noisy, private conversations contained inside

consulting rooms and group treatment spaces.

• Providing each patient with the maximum amount of acoustic seclusion from other patients' sounds,

toilet noises, mechanical noises, etc.

• Providing each patient with as much control and visual privacy as is necessary given the requirement

for supervision.

Daylight, art, color

One study found that bipolar patients' length of stay was shortened by the beneficial effects of

sunshine. (Beauchemin KM et al.,1996, as cited in Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020). 174 clinically depressed

participants were divided into two groups for this study: those with bright light and those with low light.

Patients who were in brightly lighted rooms spent an average of 16.9 days there, whereas those in dimly

lit rooms stayed for 19.5 days. The impact of color on healthcare environments was determined to be

little (Tofle et al.,2004, as cited in Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020) was released by the Coalition for Health

Environments Research. There is no proof to substantiate a direct correlation between a particular color

and an emotional response, despite a plethora of color research. Despite research demonstrating a

correlation between mood and color, colors do not appear to be emotional triggers. Each person reacts

differently to color, and this is impacted by their culture, physiology, and psychology.

In a similar vein, safe, constructive, and therapeutic outdoor areas that are easily accessible might serve

as pleasant diversionary activities. (Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020).

• Using high-performance glazing, innovative lighting systems, and more natural light, materials, and

colors.
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• Using calming rather than stimulating artwork.

• Paying close attention to scale, color, proportions, and details.

• Well-lit and spacious areas for gathering and public use.

• Cozy and intimately scaled offices and nursing units.

• Harmony between external design and environment.

Safety and Security

Traditional locked-down units and enclosed nurse stations, where patients spend most of their time

alone in their rooms, have been replaced with a different approach to safety. These days, the emphasis

is on creating cozy spaces that are less barrier-filled and have a more residential feel. But the most

important consideration in design is patient and staff safety. (Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020).

Zones of risk—regions where patients could hurt themselves or others—usually indicate how to handle

security requirements by focusing on the areas that are most concerning. High-risk areas include patient

rooms, restrooms, showers, and seclusion rooms where patients are left alone and unattended. Group

rooms, day rooms, laundry rooms, and dining rooms are examples of medium-risk zones where patients

are rarely left alone, are in small groups, and may receive some supervision.

Low-risk areas include staff areas, clean and dirty rooms, and cleaning rooms. They can also be areas

where patients are not permitted. Examples of these areas include corridors where patients are watched

over and escorted.

The primary concern is suicide, and research suggests that staff members should always be able to see

their patients in order to lower the number of suicides. To prevent self-harm, patient environments
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must be designed with specific items and design elements including door knobs, shower curtains,

window treatments, ceilings, and fixtures in mind.

Mental health facilities are particularly concerned about their patients' risk for suicide. The facility must

not unintentionally provide a suicide opportunity. Among the designs made to solve these and other

security and safety concerns are:

• Devices for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing that are tamper-proof.

• Use shower breakaway shower-rods and bars, no clothes hook.

• The removal of all options to jump.

• Employee control over entries and exits.

• A feature that allows staff to access patient bedroom doors in an emergency.

• Laminated glass for inpatient units' windows.

• Wall panels made of gypsum board reinforced with fiber.

• Unique elements in seclusion rooms, such as an outward-opening door without any interior hardware,

to remove any chance of self-harm.

• Giving careful thought to where grab bars and railings should be installed. There are specific designs

that prevent them from being used for self-harm in situations when they must be used in unsupervised

areas and the patient's profile calls for extra caution.

• Cease using handles and knobs on doors.

• Ceilings made of solid materials.

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Sustainability

Public structures known as psychiatric facilities can have a big influence on the local economy and

environment. (Sivakumar Murugesan, 2020). Buildings designated for the purpose of "caring" ought to

be constructed and run "sustainably," with an eye toward the greater good such as:

• Energy Efficient: Install motion sensors and energy-efficient lighting systems, like LED bulbs, to

regulate illumination in less-used areas. To lessen your dependency on artificial lighting and HVAC

systems, think about using passive design techniques like natural daylighting and ventilation.

• Renewable Energy: To produce sustainable energy, install wind turbines or solar panels on your

property. This can lessen greenhouse gas emissions and balance out electricity use.

• Water Conservation: Install water-saving fixtures including showers, faucets, and toilets with reduced

flow rates. For non-potable water uses, think about installing greywater recycling systems and collecting

rainfall for landscape irrigation.

• Green Spaces: Include green areas like gardens and courtyards on the hospital grounds to encourage

healing and wellbeing in both patients and staff. Additionally, these areas can aid in reducing the impact

of the urban heat island and provide a home for nearby species.

• Sustainable Materials: Make use of sustainable building materials that have a high recycled content

and a low embodied energy. Take into account products that have certifications like Cradle to Cradle or

LEED to make sure they fulfill sustainability requirements.

• Waste Management: To reduce the amount of garbage dumped in landfills, implement extensive

recycling and composting initiatives throughout the hospital. In order to manage waste streams

ethically, think about collaborating with nearby composting and recycling facilities.
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• Transportation Options: Promote the use of public transportation, bike racks, and electric vehicle

charging stations as alternate modes of mobility for employees and guests. Encourage telecommuting

and carpooling to lower the carbon footprint of commuting.

• Green Building Certifications: Seek green building certifications such as WELL Building Standard or

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to make sure the hospital satisfies strict health

and sustainability requirements.

• Community Engagement: In order to create a sense of support and ownership, involve the local

community in the hospital's design and operations. Consult with advocacy organizations, families, and

patients to make sure the hospital satisfies their requirements while reducing its environmental impact.

• Education and Outreach: To increase patient, staff, and community understanding of sustainability,

offer educational programs and outreach activities. Organize workshops on subjects including waste

management, energy efficiency, and sustainable living.

Construction Features

The design of a successful psychiatric facility should:

• Increase worker productivity by cutting down on the distance that needs to be traveled between

commonly used areas.

• Make it simple for the few staff members to visually supervise patients. Maximum visibility of patient

areas should be provided by the design of nurse stations on inpatient units.

• Don't add extra spaces; just the ones that are necessary. For this, meticulous pre-design programming

is needed.
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• Provide smaller rooms where patients can visit with their relatives and a central living area or meeting

space for staff and patients in inpatient units.

• Utilize space wisely by placing support areas where neighboring functional areas can share them and

by using multipurpose spaces sensibly.

• Providing as much control as possible over the lighting, TV, radio, and other elements of each patient's

immediate surroundings.

Operational Consideration

Provide services to patients and take advantage of all available therapeutic

options.

Patients in inpatient mental health institutions tend to remain shorter, which is consistent with the

goal of recovery and the desire to treat patients in the least restrictive setting feasible. Adequate

treatment, therapy, and staff space on the inpatient unit minimizes movement and separation of the

patient and service provider, which is necessary to maximize treatment services, patient engagement,

and interdisciplinary care procedures in an inpatient setting.

Establish a Non-Institutional Treatment Setting

Reiterating the program's recovery goal and lessening the institutional stigma sometimes connected

to mental health treatment institutions are two benefits of creating a more cozy, therapeutic

atmosphere. In order to achieve this, mental health facilities' external and interior design elements

increasingly have a home vibe.

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Private Patient Rooms

Single occupancy rooms are becoming the norm in many private sector inpatient mental health

clinics. Patient privacy is improved, patient assignment flexibility is increased, and disturbances and

occurrences involving shared patient bedrooms are decreased at an inpatient institution where all

patient rooms are private. More privacy and reduced noise—which can agitate some patients and

interfere with their sleep—are two advantages of single occupancy patient rooms.

Design for both on and off stage

The "on-stage, off-stage" idea keeps staff support areas and materials management, food service,

and clean material delivery within the facility apart from patient routes (sometimes referred to as "on-

stage") wherever at all possible. In places that patients actively use, this reduces noise, disturbance, and

distractions.

Utilization of Technology

Technology helps improve patient care, security, and communications in mental health facilities.

Improvements to security include facility monitoring, inventory control, and door control. Access to

regularly updated patient treatment documentation by all relevant members of a patient's

interdisciplinary care team is one example of how communication might be improved.

Design view

Flexibility

A mental health facility's architecture must adapt to shifting personal demands, care goals, and

technological advancements like wireless technology.

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Efficiency

In order to minimize the overall demand for space, support spaces like utility rooms and storage

should be planned to be shared whenever possible. In an inpatient situation, reduce the amount of extra

distance that nursing personnel must walk to access patient rooms and support areas. Near the core

nursing area, locate the support areas that are used the most.

Patient Needs

Maintaining the operational realities of tight supervision, safety, and security should not

compromise patient and resident dignity, respect for individuality, or privacy. It is commonly known and

established that residents and patients are susceptible to stress due to several factors such as

inadequate lighting, inadequate ventilation, noise, and privacy, which can negatively impact their overall

health.

Mitigation of Risk

To lower the following risks in mental health facilities, the project should incorporate the following

facility details, planning, and design concepts:

Elopements:

1. allowing only one path, as permitted by code, to enter and exit gathering places.

2. Instead of walled outdoor spaces, use courtyards.

3. Electronic door controls that comply with code for emergency egress.

4. straightforward circulation without blind areas.

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5. Visibility from staff offices and work locations that are not directly in charge of patient observation is

known as casual observation.

Behavioral Events with Patients

1. Visibility

2. Make sure the store only stocks items that aren't meant to be used as weapons or in suicide attempts.

3. In locations where patients are left alone for extended periods of time, provide suitable abuse

resistance.

4. Use technology to help monitor and maintain security in regions where employees can't see easily.

5. Properly stored in secured areas should be carts, equipment, and other supplies. In hallways and

other unguarded locations, equipment, carts, and assistance devices should not be parked or stored in

alcoves.

Reducing Patient/Staff Injuries:

1. Suitable modifications for individuals who are handicapped or overweight.

2. Remove any balconies, apertures, etc. that could provide a patient with a means of jumping from a

raised platform.

3. Ample abuse resistance is present on patient rooms and other areas where patients are left alone to

provide an appropriate response team ample time to respond before a patient hurts themself or

manages to escape the area.

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Reducing Patient/Staff Stress:

1. Areas for personnel and patients with natural light.

2. Control of noise.

3. Staff and patients are not separated in any needless way by an open arrangement.

4. Overcrowding is prevented by designing the space for patients and employees so that neither feels

confined or exposed.

5. Attractive outside vistas.

6. The facility's interior design features a gentle color scheme, natural materials, and a residential feel.

7. Comfortable and restorative surroundings.

8. Spaces for patients and employees that provide relaxation and social environment control (e.g., silent

rooms, staff lounges, secure outdoor space).

Synthesis

While supporting the facility's functional and operational purposes, the particular design criteria

and methodologies covered in this chapter place an emphasis on creating settings of care that are

healing and patient-centered.

The design of mental health facilities must take into account the physical safety and security needs of

both staff and patients, as well as infection control and fall prevention. These methods need not, nor

should they, take away from the therapeutic atmosphere. The soothing and welcoming qualities of the

environment are maintained while enhancing safety and security in the care setting through the use of

specific design techniques and methods.

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Theoretical Framework

When it comes to mental health treatment, a facility's architecture greatly influences the conduct

and general wellbeing of its patients. Built on theories like evidence-based design, biophilic design,

environmental psychology, and human-centered design, a well-designed mental health facility

integrates a number of components that work together to improve patient outcomes. These

components include making sure that safety and security protocols are followed, offering relaxing and

private areas that honor patients' dignity, integrating therapeutic settings that promote healing and

relaxation, providing access to natural elements like sunlight and vegetation, and designing adaptable

spaces that can change to accommodate new treatment modalities.

Conceptual Framework

An overview of the significance of architectural design in psychiatric hospitals for patients’ well-

being and treatment outcomes. The conceptual framework aimed at optimizing healing environments

through design resulting in a positive outcome to its environment.

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Chapter 3: Methodology

The proposed psychiatric hospital intends to create a new frontier in the prevalent dominant

challenges that face psychiatric health facilities today. With increasing calls for mental health services

amidst dynamically changing clinical practices, existing hospitals can hardly meet the diversities of

patient needs. This new initiative seeks to recreate psychiatric care with cutting-edge treatment models

that are sensitive and patient-oriented that focuses on facility design, treatment options, and the whole

well-being of patients. In this study we will be able to comprehend furthermore details about this

matter.

Research Design

In this regard, it would be most appropriate to study the proposed psychiatric hospital with a

qualitative case study research design, since it deals in depth with complex human experiences and

interactions within this special setting. As opposed to quantitative points of view, which have to do with

numerical data and their statistical analysis, the area of qualitative research is deeply inclined to

examine the views of participants and richly detail their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This method

is more accurate in subtleties for psychiatric care because it retrieves the lived experiences of patients,
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healthcare providers, and stakeholders while showing in detail the contextual and subjective factors that

influence their experience. Qualitative research will, therefore, reveal through mechanisms like

interviews and observation the reasons, motives, and challenges in designing and operationally setting

up a psychiatric hospital. In doing so, it sets the frameworks within the real-world context of mental

health care. This depth of understanding is important to have efficient strategies of patient-centered

care and to create an atmosphere that is truly therapeutic for its users.

Participants and Sampling

For the purpose of this study, participants included stakeholders, patients, and psychology students,

all selected through convenience and quota sampling. Convenience sampling is done by picking

individuals who are readily available and willing to take part in the study; it is practical in that data

collection had to be conducted as quickly as possible and effectively, since this was a proposed

psychiatric hospital. This will ensure that it covers a wide range of perspectives, as the key stakeholders

would share their input on the operational and strategic aspects, while patients would add to this by

including information regarding their experiences and needs; psychology students would add an

academic, theoretical take on the raised issues. Quota sampling was done to ensure that subgroups of

interest, in this case, stakeholders, patients, and students, are sufficiently represented within the

sample. This approach will ensure that information obtained is representative of the views and

experiences of all relevant groups, which enables the delivery of data with full understanding of the

various influences on the design and functionality of a proposed psychiatric hospital. Such a combination

of sampling techniques in the study will therefore provide rich, varied data and a structured and

representative sample.
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Data Collection Instruments and Procedures

Information gathering was performed through interviews and observations, supplemented by a

survey. The semi-structured interviews and direct observations were carried out with stakeholders and

patients to derive detailed information pertaining to their various kinds of experiences, opinions, and

vision with respect to the proposed psychiatric hospital. These would be instrumental in giving firsthand

information about subjective and contextual factors as important inspirations for views. Further, the

questionnaires were administered through Google Forms to those studying psychology, with open-

ended questions that would allow for elaborate responses. The open-ended questions gave an

opportunity for the students to express their views and provide full insights. Such a combination will

yield a rich dataset since it provides a comprehensive view on the proposed psychiatric hospital from

many different perspectives.

Plans for Data Analysis

Thematic analysis is particularly suitable for sorting out data concerning a proposed psychiatric

hospital since one can identify and interpret the key themes and patterns within the qualitative data.

This would be an appropriate form of methodology that can handle the complexity and

multidimensionality of the data to be gathered from stakeholders, patients, and psychology students. As

stated, using thematic analysis the researcher will systematically code and categorize the responses in

order to come up with the underlying issues that are significant in effectively designing and

operationally managing a hospital. That helps the researcher deduce meaningful insights from

participants' experiences and perspectives, thereby giving a bird's eye view of the factors that impact

psychiatric care. It is this level of analysis that shall help the proposed hospital in dealing with real-life

problems for the users to achieve patient-centered and effective mental health services.
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Plans for Presenting Results

Our presentation of these study results will be structured to give a comprehensive understanding of

the proposed feasibility of the psychiatric hospital and its potential impact. It will start with participant

demographics detailing stakeholders, patients, and psychology students involved in the study. This

demographic overview is to set the scene for our findings, which are then presented in detail, organized

around key themes identified through thematic analysis of qualitative data from interviews,

observations, and surveys. These findings are accompanied by visual aids in the form of tables, charts,

and diagrams to aid clarity and underline significant trends and patterns. The findings will be presented

hereinafter, followed by a proper discussion of the implications of the findings on design, construction,

and overall functioning of the psychiatric hospital. Recommendations in this regard will also be made for

future research directions. In that regard, the information is structured in a way that stakeholders and

decision-makers can draw actionable insight to inform the development of effective mental healthcare

services and facilities.

Summary

This study uses a qualitative case study design to investigate the proposed psychiatric hospital. The

participants are stakeholders and students who are in the field of psychology and experience working in

a psychiatric hospital, through a combination of convenience and quota sampling techniques. The data

will be gathered through semi-structured interviews, checklists on observation, and surveys chosen for

their reliability and validity. The design used face-to-face interviews with on-site observations.

Participation was anonymous, with full confidentiality guaranteed. Data analysis followed the

procedures of thematic analysis to identify significant patterns and themes. The results are structured

around participant demographics, detailed findings, representation with visual aids, and a discussion of

future research recommendations and their implications.

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Definition of Terms

Chapter 1

Pandemic - an outbreak of a disease over a wide geographic area. (Merriam-Webster, 2024)

Stigma - a negative and unfair belief about a society or group. (Merriam-Webster, 2024)

Sustainable - to maintain a certain rate or level. (Merriam-Webster, 2024)

WHO – World Health Organization. (European Commission, 2013)

Chapter 2

Acoustic Design - The study of sound in homes and other buildings and the planning of those

structures for the best possible acoustic performance is known as architectural acoustics.

Agitation - a tense, excited, or anxious state

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Biophilic - a theory applied in the building sector that makes use of space and place circumstances,

direct and indirect nature, and occupant connectivity to the natural environment.

Chronic - (of a disease) continuing for an extended period of time or returning frequently.

Holistic - To be holistic is to consider an object's entirety rather than simply a portion of it.

HVAC - HVAC is an abbreviation for air conditioning, heating, and ventilation. An entire home

comfort system that may be utilized to improve indoor air quality and regulate temperature in your

house is referred to as an HVAC system.

LEED - The most popular green building rating system in the world is called LEED (Leadership in

Energy and Environmental Design). A foundation for safe, cost-effective, and highly efficient green

buildings that promote social, political, and environmental goals is provided by LEED certification.

PTSD - A distressing event can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health disease

that is brought on by experiencing or watching it. Flashbacks, nightmares, excruciating anxiety, and

irrational thoughts about the incident are possible symptoms.

Residential - use to describe houses, apartments, or any other location where people reside is

called "residential." A residential block, residential neighborhood, or residential structure could all be

referred to.

Synthesize - to create (something) by putting several elements together. She combined the

treatment from both conventional and contemporary medical theory.

Therapeutic - relating to the recovery from illness.

Zoning - Zoning refers to the set of municipal or local laws or regulations that specify the uses and

limitations of real property within specific geographic areas. Zoning can also be determined in spaces.
 27

References

Chapter 1

Banaag Jr. (2023). ‘Mental health crisis a rising epidemic in PH’ – experts. Retrieve from

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211404#:~:text=The%20PMHA%20said%20access

%20to,every%20100%2C000%20Filipinos%2C%20it%20added.

Lally, Tully and Samaniego. (2019). Mental health services in the Philippines.

https://doi.org/10.1192/bji.2018.34

Maravilla and Tan. (2021). Philippine Mental Health Act: Just an Act? A Call to Look Into

the Bi-directionality of Mental Health and Economy. Retrieved from

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.706483/full

Khullar. (2017). Bad Hospital Design Is Making Us Sicker. Retrieved from

 28

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/22/well/live/bad-hospital-design-is-making-us-sicker.html

Psychological Design. (2020). Architecture & Design for Mental Health. Retrieved from

https://www.psychologicaldesign.com.au/mental-health

Chapter 2

Sivakumar Murugesan. (2020). Criteria and Approaches in Designing Psychiatric Hospital. Retrieved from

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/criteria-approaches-designing-psychiatric-hospitals- murugesan/

HMC Architects. (2018). Applying Evidence-Based Design to Healthcare Facilities. Retrieved from

https://hmcarchitects.com/news/applying-evidence-based-design-to-healthcare-facilities-2018-09-21/

Integris Health. (2024). What are the Benefits of Biophilic Design. Retrieved from

https://integrishealth.org/resources/on-your-health/2024/january/biophilic- design?

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em_ATw7QuNVqePimPLU4E9BJ_74V4s1GtEkqq0kunSGLznnGRa3tiASPOujwpsDhLITMmwzbCPmJQJ27Yn

GH43SqK3e#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20foremost%20benefits,mood%20and%20enhanced

%20cognitive%20function

David Diaz. (2022). What is Environmental Psychology. Retrieved from

https://online.sunderland.ac.uk/what-is-environmental-psychology/?
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fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3hhi9sc1O_qtZPxnd8BXXxYa9YFjaOrr35FuECzJV8DFP0j50KgT8d39A_a

em_ATyVva-

aPRJnNiw9Z6Q_yphptUXk1QUaSqxxP2B3y28jmpPDQuynSafdGO6RmJ4t4TM6W09i7COGggDu95cOjLa-

#:~:text=Environmental%20psychology%20is%20a%20multidisciplinary,environments%20shape%20us

%20in%20turn

Elif Ayse Fidanci. (2023). Human Centered Architecture. Retrieved from

https://illustrarch.com/articles/16396-human-centered-architecture.html?

fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3AjxMcF5jblTkrwXOO0Ax2vFutw6d7AtQLchaU2zEkkQpiDHIkECATbkk

_aem_ATzfXVEcv_gOqsf5SARGtuoA-

3iH4g2_wwCOwOdkFjVEcWhlhe0kq1QFSDQIsvgx6rGL2iHF0ClJMNeJvGnwfY1O#:~:text=Human

%2Dcentered%20architecture%20acknowledges%20that,to%20evoke%20specific%20emotional

%20responses