Biophilic Design in Healthcare Settings

A calm view of greenery. Soft daylight. Natural textures that make a room feel less clinical and more human. In healthcare settings, these details are not just “nice to have”. They can help people feel safer, steadier, and more like themselves in a place that can otherwise feel unfamiliar.

That is the heart of biophilic design in healthcare – creating care environments that reconnect us with nature in thoughtful, practical ways. And while hospitals and hospices are very different spaces, both have something in common: people deserve dignity, comfort, and calm while they are there – whether they are receiving treatment, living with a long-term condition, or being cared for at the end of life.

Natural environments can ease stress and support recovery

Nature exposure is strongly linked with reduced stress and improved wellbeing – and in healthcare environments, that matters. Research reviews in this area report benefits associated with biophilic features, such as lower stress and anxiety for patients and reduced stress for staff.

It is also important to say this with care: not everyone in a hospice or hospital will “recover” in the traditional sense. But nature-informed spaces can still support comfort, reduce distress, and improve day-to-day experience for patients and families – and that is meaningful, whatever someone’s health situation.

Biophilic healthcare design and human performance

Healthcare teams work in high-pressure environments, often for long shifts, often supporting people through complex moments. Good design can help.

Evidence syntheses in this area describe how biophilic elements can improve experiences for patients, families, and staff, and may be associated with better outcomes such as reduced stress and improved overall wellbeing.

In practice, biophilic healthcare design often supports calmer waiting areas, more restorative staff spaces, and layouts that feel easier to navigate. Design cannot remove the reality of illness. But it can reduce unnecessary strain – and that is a powerful form of care.

Gardens, views, privacy, and dignity

One of the most consistent themes in biophilic design in healthcare is that access to nature is not only about “beauty”. It is about dignity.

Healthcare buildings with gardens, courtyards, terraces, or even a single well-placed window view can offer something deeply human: a private moment of normality. A place to sit with a loved one. A chance to step outside and feel the air on your face. A view that reminds you the world is still turning.

Even when outdoor space is limited, designers can create visual relief through window sightlines to trees or sky, indoor planting that is easy to maintain, natural materials and warm textures, and calming lighting that follows the rhythm of the day.

How to integrate biophilic design in healthcare settings

If you are wondering how to integrate biophilic design, it helps to think in layers – from the most straightforward changes to more structural ones.

Start with high-impact, low-disruption options. Maximise daylight where possible, and use warmer lighting zones in the evening to avoid harsh glare. Prioritise sightlines to gardens, trees, or open sky. Choose natural textures and finishes that feel warm and non-clinical. Reduce harsh echoes with softer acoustics, which can feel quieter even when the building is busy. Use well-planned greenery that is safe, accessible, and realistically maintainable.

Then build towards bigger moves, such as indoor courtyards or winter gardens, sheltered outdoor seating for year-round use, “green corridors” that guide people through buildings more intuitively, and sensory design choices that support people living with dementia, anxiety, or sensory sensitivity.

How to incorporate biophilic design without creating extra burden

A common challenge is maintenance. If greenery becomes difficult to manage, it can add pressure to estates teams and staff, and that defeats the purpose.

So, how to incorporate biophilic design well? Choose solutions that are durable and easy to clean, safe for people with allergies or respiratory conditions, supported by clear upkeep plans, and designed with the realities of healthcare in mind.

In other words: natural but practical.

Is biophilic design sustainable?

Is biophilic design sustainable? It can be, but only if it is approached honestly. Plants alone do not make a building sustainable. Sustainability comes from whole-building choices: energy use, material sourcing, ventilation strategy, water use, and long-term adaptability.

In healthcare, sustainability also includes resilience: spaces that remain welcoming and functional over time, without constant replacement or waste.

What this can look like at Hospice in the Weald

At Hospice in the Weald, there is a clear focus on creating spaces that feel calm, light, and supportive, including an “outside in” approach inspired by the hospice gardens, aiming to help patients and families feel safe and uplifted.

At our Pembury hospice, the design vision is rooted in dignity: rooms that feel like someone’s home for a time, with light, thoughtful layouts, and nature as a comforting presence rather than a decorative afterthought.

As Nick Farthing, our Chief Executive, explained:

“When someone is at Hospice in the Weald, the space around them matters. We want people to feel supported and uplifted – with natural light, calm surroundings, and thoughtful design that helps them feel at ease from the moment they arrive.”
– Nick Farthing, Chief Executive at Hospice in the Weald

If you would like to read more about the design approach, you can explore the Pembury ward transformation plans.

And if you or someone you love may benefit from hospice care and support, you can find clear next steps via the Access our Care section of the Hospice in the Weald website.