International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

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Inclusive Design in Hospital Buildings: Creating Accessible and Wellness-Centered Healthcare Environments

Author(s) Ar. Sarvesh Ku Sahu, Prof. Suman Sharma, Ar. Neelam Kushwaha, Ar. Yashika Gupta
Country India
Abstract Hospitals are among the most complex public buildings, serving people from diverse age groups, physical abilities, sensory capacities, cultural backgrounds, and medical conditions. Every day, these facilities accommodate patients, healthcare professionals, attendants, emergency responders, visitors, administrative staff, and maintenance personnel, each with distinct functional and psychological needs. While contemporary hospitals have witnessed remarkable technological and medical advancements, the architectural environment itself often remains challenging for many users. Inadequate accessibility, confusing circulation systems, poorly designed waiting areas, insufficient sensory considerations, and limited support for individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities continue to affect the overall healthcare experience. Such barriers not only hinder independent movement but may also increase anxiety, reduce operational efficiency, and compromise patient well-being.
Inclusive Design has emerged as an important design philosophy that extends beyond compliance with accessibility standards. Rather than designing exclusively for persons with disabilities, Inclusive Design aims to create environments that are usable, understandable, comfortable, and dignified for the widest possible range of users without requiring adaptation or specialized solutions. Within hospital environments, this approach integrates principles of Universal Design, evidence-based healthcare design, patient-centred planning, and wellness-oriented architecture to improve both functional performance and human experience.
This research investigates the role of Inclusive Design in creating accessible and wellness-centred hospital environments, with particular emphasis on the Indian healthcare context. The study adopts a qualitative research methodology based on a systematic literature review of twenty-five peer-reviewed research publications, international accessibility guidelines, and national regulatory frameworks including the National Building Code of India (NBC 2016), the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India (2021), CPWD Accessibility Guidelines, WHO recommendations, and NABH standards. A PRISMA-inspired literature screening process is employed to identify, evaluate, and synthesise relevant research. Comparative case studies of selected hospitals are proposed to examine accessibility, circulation, wayfinding, spatial planning, lighting quality, acoustics, wheelchair accessibility, accessible sanitation facilities, sensory comfort, and overall user experience.
The expected outcome of the research is the development of a comprehensive Inclusive Design framework for hospital buildings that addresses physical, sensory, cognitive, and psychological accessibility while promoting safety, operational efficiency, healing, and user satisfaction. The study intends to bridge the gap between existing accessibility regulations and practical architectural implementation by proposing context-sensitive design guidelines suitable for Indian healthcare infrastructure. These recommendations are expected to assist architects, planners, healthcare administrators, and policymakers in creating hospital environments that are not only technically compliant but also welcoming, equitable, and supportive of the diverse needs of all users.
Keywords Inclusive Design, Universal Design, Hospital Architecture, Accessibility, Healthcare Buildings, Wellness-Centred Design, Barrier-Free Environment, Patient Experience, Wayfinding, India.
Published In Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On 2026-07-31
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E-ISSN 2582-2160
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CrossRef DOI prefix of IJFMR is 10.36948/ijfmr

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