Ajay Baskar
MA Interior Architecture and Design
Design Statement: In my thesis, Healing Courtyard. I wanted to explore how a hospital ward could feel less stressful and more comforting for patients. I believe healing is not only about medical treatment, but also about the environment people experience around them. My design approach focuses on using natural light, fresh air, greenery, water, and healing garden spaces to create a calm and peaceful atmosphere. By introducing areas for walking, meditation, interaction, and relaxation, I aimed to design a ward that supports emotional and mental wellbeing alongside physical recovery. This project reflects my interest in creating healthcare spaces that feel more humane, restorative, and connected to nature.
Project Overview: Healing Courtyard ”A Breathing Ward” is grounded in the principles of biophilic design, which strengthens the connection between people and nature within built environments. The project reimagines the hospital ward as a space that feels calm, open, and emotionally comforting, rather than purely clinical. Inspired by natural elements such as sunlight, fresh air, trees, water, and greenery, the design uses nature to shape the patient experience. The central healing courtyard becomes the heart of the ward, allowing natural elements to flow into the everyday environment of patients, caregivers, and visitors. Through this biophilic approach, the project aims to reduce stress, ease isolation, and create a more humane healing environment that supports emotional wellbeing alongside physical recovery.
