The Role of Biophilia in Hospital Humanization The Case Study of San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital

Hospitals and healthcare centers have faced with radical transformations over the past decades. Additionally, the expectations from these institutions have been increased to cover a wider range of human needs (users of hospitals), coincide with functional and technological improvement, to turn these places pleasant and free from intense pressures and stress. That is to say, architecture has always been in close relation with health, therefore, the concept of humanizing spaces and architectural quality could mean also focusing on the non-physical needs of patients and their interaction with the environment too, despite the fact that this subject wasn't always evident. Looking at the modern era and its impact on the construction industry and people's lives, a deep gap has been formed between human and his source of existence, nature, and this has multiplied with the advancement of technology and functionalism. Thus, the theory of Biophilia which describes the innate affinity that humans have for nature suggests a scientific hypothesis for environmental behavioral responses. Natural environments have restorative and benefits forming positive changes in cognitive, physical, and social functions. Humanized spaces can be reached following the findings of environmental psychology researches, and expanding the principle of connection to the nature through the methods of Biophilic architecture and healing environments design in an evidence based design perspective.