Healthcare design is one of the foremost genres of interior design – which require besides the basic skills expected of a designer – a humane approach and a sensitive understanding of the patients’ needs and comfort. While the design brief, in terms of no of beds and facilities is often given by the hospital trustees, good design can only come from personal dialogues with the medical and paramedical staff.

The modern approach to healthcare design involves developing innovative ideas within the system, that add to user comfort and convenience, and support better management of time and resources. It is important that the designer perceives the future needs of the facility and empowers the hospital to accommodate these in its fold.  Of course, every country, and even every city would have some very specific and unique behaviour patterns and requirements that need to be translated in its healthcare design.

Here are the excerpts of our conversation with Bakir Baldiwala, Principal Designer, Baldiwala Associates, Mumbai. 

I always admired the buildings I saw around me in the city, enjoyed the grandeur of their interiors. The aptitude and the passion both grew over time, and I felt immensely drawn to taking it up as a profession.

Basic challenges were from the other seniors practicing in the field; but those were faced with determination. Gradually, we inched ahead.

The processes have become much speedier, leading to shorter project duration. New materials have been flooding the market and given rise to a lot of innovation in design.

Requirements of hygiene and sanitation are uppermost everywhere. One has to follow the same principles and observe the same procedures. However, the number of international hospitals equipped with state-of-the-art facilities is more, as compared to India. 

Self-consciousness. People in the industry have to appreciate the awareness in terms of clean and safe environments. Reluctance and resistance to new trends and facilities not being understood instantly are the main impediments.

Over the years, we have designed the interiors of small clinics and large multi-specialty hospitals. They include Day Care, OPD, Clinical and Surgical facilities, ICUs, Deluxe/ Economy Class Wards, Operation theatres, Admin block and other peripheral support facilities.

Each project has a different set of requirements, and is designed based on the facilities to be provided and the user-profile of the patrons. For instance, a paediatric dentist would have a different set of requirements from a neurosurgeon; and the design language thus gets modified to suit the nature of the facilities.

Inflow of visitors is the main difference. It is very much restricted abroad but lenient in India. The design needs to take care of the management of the visitors in terms of waiting space and number of elevators etc.

Hygiene, Safety, Maintenance of equipment and facilities, Protocol, Accessibility to Services, Sound

Most of them are related to basic materials used. State-of-the-art provisions for better air-conditioning, medical gas, fire safety equipment, beds and hospital furniture all have evolved. 

We have not yet worked on these projects. The general perception is that they come under the segment of hospitality and wellness, rather than healthcare. Thus the design focus is more on the style quotient in a luxurious ambience.

Basically all of these interior-related spaces have a lot in common i.e. aesthetics, functionality and cost-effective design. All kinds of spaces require management in terms of finance, project and technicality.

For example in case of hospitals, the doctors and medical team play an important role in defining the brief. 

All of them are close to our heart as we have always dedicated our efforts to fulfil the client’s requirements. Satisfaction of the client and having the designs see the light of day is in itself a success.

Job satisfaction. Enriched with experience.