Spaces for Wellbeing x Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital
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Daycare treatment of oncology​
For ETZ, we researched and designed 'Spaces for Wellbeing' in the oncology day-care unit, based on the experiences and needs of patients and staff.
The oncology day care unit is a specific unit. Patients come in during the day to receive treatment, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, and leave when their treatment is finished. It's based on scheduled appointments, and additional tests or diagnostics by a doctor are done elsewhere.
The department has undergone a metamorphosis over the past year to become more of a healing environment. It has moved away from a clinical atmosphere and added different colours and materials to make it more comfortable for patients, visitors and staff. This gave us the opportunity to add an extra dimension by creating Spaces for Wellbeing throughout the department.
Our Spaces for Wellbeing methodology consists of 3 phases, starting with preliminary research conducted by Renske Bongers, MSc. A deep dive into the context to learn more about the hospital department and its users. What is the interaction between the physical environment and behaviour? What state of mind do we need to change or improve?  We used several methods to achieve this: Focus group - to learn about the department and everything that happens there. Observations - to track behaviour and use of the space Interviews - to understand the underlying emotions and behaviours of patients and staff.​​ This preliminary research changed the way we looked at this department and its users. From a place where we expected fear, anxiety and stress to be the main state of mind, we learned that there is also a lot of hope and social support in this department. As long as patients are receiving treatment, there is hope that they will get better or live longer. A strong factor in this is the support that both patients and staff receive from each other. Being able to talk about life and not just the disease. Being able to really help people feel better or make their situation easier or more comfortable. It's all based on social support, having something to hold on to, being able to just be. ​
2. Define​
The question we continued our design process with is: How can we enhance the feeling of social support and how can we enhance the feeling of being able to hold on to something. How can we enhance a sense of belonging? How can we give more positive distractions? How can we enhance perceived behavioral control. ?
3. Ideate
By brainstorming, developing and validating the ideas, we came up with a concept for the Spaces for Wellbeing we want to create. ​ To create a sense of support and stability, we have developed a concept based on the daily cycles of nature. No matter what happens, each day marks a new beginning, and the sun rises without fail, whether you see it or not. It is always there. Every sunrise and sunset brings a unique display of colors across the sky. The same principle applies to the endless cycle of ebb and flow. You can watch these waves endlessly, each one slightly different from the last, with sunlight reflecting on the water to create a mesmerizing spectacle. Within this idea we use the principle of 'soft fascinations' found in nature, as highlighted by theories such as Attention Restoration Theory (ART) and Biophilic Design, to promote relaxation and reduce stress. These things that attract your attention effortlessly, not needing focussed attention, like clouds passing by, the ripples in water or the shimmer of light. Phenomenon you can just stare at, letting your thoughts wander off and giving you mind and body a rest.
4. Prototype
Based on this concept and these theories, A+N Studio designed the light installations Tidal Light and Glowing Colours. Together with a context designed by Justine Kontou with a matching wall finish, a supporting poem and scent, they form a ‘Space for Well Being’ in three different places in the oncology department.  Part of the designed context by Justine Kontou was an experience box next to every patient bed with three different scents to smell and a little booklet with six poems to read, some inspirational natural images, and more information about the project. Here, patients spend the majority of their time, so we implemented a connection between the three Spaces for Well Being in the hallway and the treatment areas. This experience box offers them the opportunity to smell one of the three scents (each promoting a different state of mind) and to read one or more poems. With these installations and the concept as a whole, our aim is to offer patients and employees a moment to just be and experience, without having a care in the world. By using daily cycles, like a sunrise, sunset or the tides, we make a connection to the simplicity and power of nature, which can inspire or can give something to hold on to.
5. Test - Researching impact
In the last phase of our project we are researching the impact of the Spaces for Wellbeing How do patients, visitors and employees experience the various elements? We research this impact by using the methods of: Observations: during the research phase observations will be made to see how patients, visitors and employees interact with the installations and how they use the experience boxes. Questionnaires: during the research phase questionnaires will be spread to both patients and employees. Asking about the experience of the department and if/how they used and experienced the installations placed in the hallways. In depth interviews: based on the results of the observations and interviews the in depth interviews will be planned. Diving into the underlying experience and motivation.
Based on this concept and these theories, A+N Studio designed the light installations Tidal Light and Glowing Colours. Together with a context designed by Justine Kontou with a matching wall finish, a supporting poem and scent, they form a ‘Space for Well Being’ in three different places in the oncology department.
Experience box
Part of the designed context by Justine Kontou was an experience box next to every patient bed with three different scents to smell and a little booklet with six poems to read, some inspirational natural images, and more information about the project. Here, patients spend the majority of their time, so we implemented a connection between the three Spaces for Well Being in the hallway and the treatment areas. This experience box offers them the opportunity to smell one of the three scents (each promoting a different state of mind) and to read one or more poems. With these installations and the concept as a whole, our aim is to offer patients and employees a moment to just be and experience, without having a care in the world. By using daily cycles, like a sunrise, sunset or the tides, we make a connection to the simplicity and power of nature, which can inspire or can give something to hold on to.
Glowing Colours
Glowing Colours is a dynamic play of light with colours that change over the course of the day. Dots of light that move attract and interact, form subtle reference to the value of social supper and interaction for patients and staff. In Glowing Colours we apply soft fascination, based on ART*. Fascination we mostly have for natural phenomena. Resulting in both the predictability of the colours changing over the day, and the surprise narrative of the dots of light. The accompanying wall print and poem create a connection to the various color gradients in the sky and the warmth of the sun. Additionally, the poems subtly emphasize the value of social interaction.
Tidal Light
Tidal Light is inspired by the way sunlight reflects on water. Like the sun, water has the power to relax. It attracts attention through ‘soft fascination’ based on the Attention Restoration Theory*). Not only through its shimmer, but also by the slight movement of the light. The glass design combined with a subtle movement of programmed light creates a dynamic effect that references moving water and the cycle of ebb and flow. The accompanying wall print and poem enhance the association with water and the ebb and flow. * Attention Restoration Theory (ART) proposes that effortless attention and soft fascination (often found in scenes of nature) can help restore mental energy, which contributes to our ability to focus & concentrate.
