Enhancing Holistic Health through Healing Architecture: A Literature Review

Abstract

The environment have long been recognized to usually have health effects on occupants. The aim of this study was to undergo a thematic analysis of existing literature towards providing a more coherent understanding of the concept of healing architecture. As humans are physically, mentally and emotionally connected to the built up environment through employment, retirement, education and play. This connection fosters a dynamic life in which individuals should flourish in all spheres and actively engage in fostering their relationship with the natural world. The research method entails literature search in Google scholar online engine using “healing architecture” and “holistic health” as themes. The study concludes that the major sub-themes of healing architecture are access to view of nature, use of soft landscape in the environment, improved sound and light levels, bioclimatic design and using the building envelope for environmental control.