At the beginning of this project, I began to think about the topics that interest me and how to potentially also connect them with each other. I began to write a list with keywords and potential questions such as the ”power of healing”, and ”creatives working in unusual sectors like property development”, which could create change within hospitals. These were only a few topics from the list, which I later narrowed down, and decided I want to create change in and with what practices or creatives /and the approaches that are required for this process. A further question of mine that had potential was how creatives could play an essential role in the building and design process at hospitals during the healing process (physical/mental/emotional) to aid with more comfort and possibly even accelerate the recovery process.
From here, I began to research hospitals and the issues most patients experience during their stay.
If two more or less unrelated sectors could collaborate within the property sector, it could become more diverse. This could show an innovative effect, as pre-existing methods of design and construction would not repeat themselves.
In addition to my research, I investigated the scientific practices of nature and harmony in the East (Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui) to include within the design process. I imagined building a connection between the design process of hospitals and the Chinese application of Feng Shui or the Indian version of Vastu Shastra to intertwine more balanced and harmonious connections to peace and well-being.
I reflected more in-depth, on which field of creative professionals could be especially productive within this creation and decided drama therapists could play a crucial role in this design process. They not only know the problems many people experience in life but also are aware of how to solve many issues, as they are confronted with them on a daily basis i.e. hearing about what different age groups have to deal with, how they cope with it and what actually helps them in their environment. The therapists are also aware of what solutions work the best and what don’t, as they are aware of talking to a variety of clients. Those can be rituals or objects patients use and integrate into their lives. Additionally, these practitioners can also advise and explain why certain problems arise and how to actually make an impactful change when it comes to the body and mind.
In addition, I reflected on how other humans could benefit from my thought of change. An essential advantage of this integration would be that it could lower the depression rate at hospitals that people often experience in addition to their stay. This would also have an impact on children, who often are forced to be away from their family and friends for most of the time of their hospital visit. If new interior and healing strategies were offered, the overall experience could be more enjoyable for everyone.
Further to that, it could provide creatives at the same time with jobs, as we often see many struggling to find a job on a long-term basis. They could integrate their creative thinking into how to support hospitals, which would assist with their creativity, and also have a position for work.
Going further with this project, I would support my research with surveys and online focus groups of about 6 people. A targeted generation user profile would not be required in this case, as hospital visits are not age specific (unless it is a children’s ward). Nevertheless, taking specific feedback and differentiating between answers of certain age groups can be helpful within this research.
Interviews with professionals, such as specialists in healing and workers who are at hospitals on a daily basis could be supportive too within this intended project. Receiving the patient’s perspective and indicating how they feel about certain aspects would also be highly relevant here.
Within my research, I am intrigued to explore the role of women within property development, as this is quite often a male-dominated space. The approaches to healing and empathy from a female stance could bring a new perspective to design and well-being.
Lastly, interventions and experimenting with how people react to distinct healing methods, and observing what works best would be included in the process of the project.
To support and inspire myself, I will investigate methods that artists have used already effectively in different spaces in connection to healing and emotions.
Additional questions for research methods could be examined going further:
-How can women and creatives play an essential role in the construction/property development process?
-How can applying the traditional application of feng-shui or the Indian version of Vastu Shastra have a positive impact in terms of healing and well-being at facilities such as hospitals?
-How can we apply feng-shui to the layout and design of (children’s) hospitals?
-How can simple and affordable applications, such as light, music, and plants accelerate the healing process of people at hospitals with the help of creatives?
-How can unemployed creatives be more included in an unusual sector such as property development whilst also contributing to crucial change?
-How can drama therapists collaborate with property developers in order to create healthy and better healing environments?
-How can creatives and women make a crucial innovative change in the property development sector with the knowledge they have?
-How can well-being in children’s hospitals be improved with the help of creatives and changes to the interior?