designing and delivering colour and acoustics within healthcare

BUILDING WELLBEING INTO ARCHITECTURE

ACOUSTICS: FROM BACKGROUND NOISE TO HEALING SOUNDSCAPES

• Noise levels in hospitals remain high and increasing: one review noted that since 1960 daytime hospital sound levels have climbed from ~57 dB to ~72 dB and night-time from ~42 dB to ~60 dB — well above the World Health Organization guideline of ~35 dB for patient rooms.
• High noise correlates with measurable negative physiological and psychological effects: elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, impaired sleep quality, slower wound healing and longer length of stay.
• In contrast well-designed acoustic environments (with sound absorbing surfaces, controlled reverberation, minimal unwanted transmissions) support: better patient rest, reduced stress, improved staff communication and fewer errors.
• A key shift: acoustic performance is no longer a “nice to have” secondary consideration but is increasingly being treated as a core wellness driver in healthcare architecture.

COLOUR & VISUAL AMBIENCE: EMOTIONAL IMPACT IN CLINICAL SPACES

• Research emphasises that colour, tone, and imagery in healthcare interiors influence patient mood, anxiety, perceived wait times, and trust in the environment.
• Designers are moving away from purely white, sterile finishes to warmer, natural-toned palettes, combined with calming graphic elements or art, to reduce the “institutional” feel and promote patient well-being.
• Colour is also being used intentionally to support way-finding, zoning (patient vs staff vs visitor areas), and to foster a sense of human-centred care rather than cold functionality.

THE INTERSECTION: ACOUSTICS & COLOUR WORKING TOGETHER

• Together, these two design parameters—sound and visual ambience—are being recognised as environmental determinants of healing, not just add-ons. In other words: better acoustic control and thoughtful colour/graphic strategies contribute to outcomes such as shorter recovery, lower stress, higher staff satisfaction.
• For example: an environment that is visually calming but acoustically chaotic still undermines rest and recovery; likewise, a quiet space with harsh, clinical visual finishes may feel unwelcoming and generate anxiety.
• As such, the design specification for healthcare spaces increasingly demands materials and systems that offer dual performance: high acoustic absorption/attenuation and high visual quality (including hygiene, durability, and ease of maintenance).

IMPLICATIONS FOR SPECIFYING AND DESIGNING

• Early involvement of acoustic consultants and specification of sound-absorbing surfaces should become standard in healthcare projects, rather than treated as an afterthought.
• Selection of materials should consider multi-performance: e.g., acoustic panels that are cleanable, infection-control compliant, and available in a range of finishes/colours.
• Colour and graphic strategy must align with healing architecture: natural palettes, reduced visual clutter, zones defined by colour rather than signage alone, integration of imagery that supports calm and orientation.
• Because research shows strong links between environment and outcomes, these design features can be argued as delivering real value (reduced stay, improved staff retention, better experience) rather than purely aesthetic.
• Retrofit and refurbishment opportunities are significant—many older facilities still lack both acoustic control and an intentional colour/graphic strategy, and they are prime candidates for upgrade.