Optimizing Daylight and Outdoor View in Healthcare Environments: Enhancing Patient Well-Being Through Facade Design and Spatial Configuration

This study aims to identify a balance between natural light and external views to enhance environmental comfort in indoor spaces, with particular attention to healthcare facilities. The spatial configuration of transparent and opaque surfaces, as well as their ratio within a building’s facade, has a direct impact on the quality of natural light and the psychophysical wellbeing of the occupants. Literature has highlighted a correlation between visual connection with natural and dynamic elements and stress reduction, thereby accelerating the healing process in patients. Building on this background, the paper implements light and visual analyses based on current, established calculation frameworks referenced in professional standards and implemented through a widely adopted simulation software solution. The aim of the study is to evaluate the complexity of the outcomes achievable within current professional practice, specifically enabling a comparative assessment of lighting and visual performance in the particular context of healthcare design. A parametric simulation approach is applied to an idealised building, assessing the impact of factors such as orientation and obstructions caused by trees and surrounding buildings. The results confirm that a meticulous design approach and the strategic positioning of glazed surfaces significantly enhance the quality of the indoor environment. Furthermore, they introduce a comparative assessment based on a spatial-oriented methodology, which evaluates comfort zones through a cross-analysis of multiple parameters. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of how different environmental factors interact, enabling the optimisation of indoor conditions to maximise occupant well-being.