Nest Chair
A personal alcove to welcome patients
with exceptional love and warmth.
The physical environment is often an overlooked component of the healing process in healthcare. The ‘architectural treatment’ can have similar effects as the medical treatment, bringing palpable effects to the physiological and mental well-being of the individual. Placemaking ideas connect across domains, from the masterplan of interiors to furniture design. Each of these pieces come together to tell a collective story, creating positive healing experiences for an individual immersed in the environment.
In 2016 alone, Singapore saw an attendance of 4,921,017 visits for just specialist outpatient clinics, averaging over 13,000 visits per day. While the furniture design within these medical centres have largely accommodated the need for spatial efficiency, there remains much room to address various needs such as mobility, invigoration, user empowerment and refuge from surrounding circulation.
How might we design seating to transform the medical centre into a space for invigoration?
CONCEPT
The Nest Chair is a personal alcove designed to provide waiting patients with exceptional warmth, comfort, and care. It is a modular set-up that, when used in various scenarios, provides refuge, encourages conversations, and empowers caregivers.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS | CONTEXT
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS | FUNCTION
RESEARCH PROCESS
DESIGN PROCESS
PROJECT BACKGROUND
ABSTRACT
This project is the outcome of a furniture design studio, “Placemaking: A Space for Healing”. The studio aims to re-imagine the notion of placemaking in a health campus, and places emphasis on anticipating user pain points and the application of biophilic design patterns.
PROJECT DETAILS
Type of Exercise | Individual
Supervisor | Michael Leong (Director, SAA Architects)
Duration | 12 weeks
Collaborators | SAA Architects, Woodlands Health Campus (2018)