Article 2: ‘Contested Spaces: The Problem with Modern Psychiatric Interiors’
McKellar, S., 2015. Contested Spaces: The Problem with Modern Psychiatric Interiors. Interiors, 6(1), 21-39.
Susie McKellar is completed her master and Ph.D. programme in Royal College of Art. She has many types of research about psychiatric interiors design. Recently she is working the Institute of Psychiatry and South Lambeth and Maudsley Mental Health Trust in London. (McKellar, 2015)
McKellar’s paper demonstrates that the importance of interior space design in psychiatric wards and it points out the effect of design on the people. Also, it represents the evolution of psychiatric approaches in years. Modern design and contemporary psychiatry are one of the different approaches. Additionally, the study was supported by giving examples and types of research. The article was promoted by using different authors views. The text was intended for a public audience because it includes common words and definitions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (1953 cited in McKellar, 2015), there are invisible elements which affect patient’s mental treatments positively and these are called atmosphere. Also caring environment and aesthetic approach was important for sufferer’s health (Barton, 1959:22 cited in McKellar, 2015). Furthermore, the paper of McKellar indicates some studies which were done in some countries related to the location of the room. On the report of Ulrich et al (2008, cited in McKellar, 2015) adult patients in the Canada were given sunny rooms, in addition to this study, in Italy east-facing room were given to patients. The results of the studies show that the location of the room affects the time of patients stays.
Psychiatric waiting area within Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Art: Timothy Woodman’s Ferdinand’s Flowers, gouache and acrylic on paper. Curator Nancy Rosen. Photo: © Eduard Hueber/archphoto (2015) Image source: https://www.contractdesign.com/practice/healthcare/designing-for-health-challenges-and-opportunities-in-psychiatric-healthcare-design/
Otherwise, as maintained by Dalke and Matheson (2007:17 cited in McKellar, 2015:25) “Colour Design Schemes for Long-term Healthcare Environments,” “it appears to be wrong to pursue the search for the perfect color when environments themselves can play any part in the way the colors are perceived”. Color has significant role in therapeutic part of psychiatry. In my opinion, while some colors affect patient’s physiology positively, on the other hand, some colors may depress patients. Thus, color choice in wards interior is vital. According to Dalke and Matheson (2007:17 cited in McKellar, 2015:25), blues and greens should not be used in wards, otherwise cheerful colors can be used (BBC, 2014).
Additionally, Barton (1959:21 cited in McKellar, 2015) stated a part of his book to Ward Atmosphere. He started with the after:
1. The colour of walls, ceilings, floors, lino and carpets.
2. Colours and designs of furniture, beds, chairs, windows, lampshades, etc.
3. Intensity of illumination (brightness).
4. Space, arrangement of furniture, etc.
When everything is taken into consideration, from choosing colors to design of furniture, from light to furniture placement have importance place on physiology.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. October 1986 - Volume 24 · Issue 10: 10-16. Image source: https://www.healio.com/psychiatry/journals/jpn/1986-10-24-10/%7Bdf66a13b-006c-4e3e-8fb1-d179de084d7d%7D/psychiatric-ward-atmosphere
In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Henry Maudsley (1835-1918) and John Conolly (1794-1866) contributed improving opposed psychiatric treatments. Also, therapeutic treatments were defined as ‘’ moral management’’ by Conolly (McKellar, 2015).
Maudsley’s approach to mental illness gradually began to be reflected in psychiatric hospitals and their interiors as they were later to be built in the twentieth century. In terms of design, this corresponded and related not only to contemporary design practice but by then new psychiatric treatments of the emerging twentieth century (McKellar, 2015). In my opinion, in today’s world, take advantage of design being used as new therapy techniques.
General Questions:
1. In addition to colors, which materials affect patients positively? Natural or Artificial?
2. What kind of symbolic elements should be used in wards environment? What kind of meanings should it carry?
References:
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