Define: Environment

"Environment is a combination of different aspects. To make an ideal environment, everything has to work together. It is seen in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Not only do the things provided play a part but the people in that area, the people who use that area too play a part.

Case study: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore

Why Khoo Teck Puat?

The concept behind KTPH was to create a healing environment.Instead of using typical conventional hospital typology, the approach taken to KTPH was different.

Ideal Environment

• People
• Surroundings
• Concept
• Greenery
• Natural World
• Materials
• Overall Structure
• Activity
• Buildings
• Commitment

The things listed above are what creates an ideal environment.When we think about environment,it is about the things that compliment one another.An ideal environment is one where things can all come together,like a puzzle to complete one another and make this Environment Ideal.

People

Aside from catering for the patients and the nurses or doctors,the hospital too caters to joggers because of the park nearby.They have made an area which links the hospital to the park connector,allowing easy access.

Apart from that,the place too has become a hotspot for youngsters to go there and study.Tables and even the food court provided has been used by students to hangout there and even study.

Users of KTPH 

    

   

Greenery

Having the Yishun Pond located in the vicinity was an advantage for the hospital. Not only was it used as a visual comfort, it also acts as a green lung for the hospital. Apart from the pond,the hospital itself has quite afew rooftop garden, allowing patients to feel better despite being in the hospital and at the same time allowing residents nearby to visit the place,to stroll around.

Location plan of the rooftop gardens

With the idea of “nature would nurture” KTPH have not only implemented green spaces in the hospital but  have implemented being a eco-friendly hospital. Solar panels are being placed on the rooftops so as to use it to heat up water for the hospital’s use, while louvres on the façade block out direct sunlight and channel prevailing winds throughout the interior. This has created a well-ventilated hospital that does away with the need for air-conditioning in public areas, saving energy costs.

Green Spaces in KTPH

Apart from that, sensors are used for escalators and also lights so as to save energy and there are lots of open staircases so as users would be able to use it. Users in fact are encouraged to use the staircase so as not only would they be exercising but at the same time saving energy.

Commitment

In food courts, people are encouraged to actually return their trays and plate once they are done eating. This act is seen carried out by users and KTPH is really committed to acts like this taking place. Not only do you see the staffs doing that by residents in the vicinity do this too.

There are also community garden, taken care by the residents in the neighborhood.

Rooftop Garden in KTPH

Conclusion

From this, we can see that an Environment is a combination of different aspects. To make an ideal environment, everything has to work together.It is seen in KTPH. Not only do the things provided play a part but the people in that area,the people who use that area too play a part. This is the definition of Environment.