Architecture of radiotherapy departments: Comparative floorplan-analysis to identify typologies
PO-1047
Abstract
Architecture of radiotherapy departments: Comparative floorplan-analysis to identify typologies
Authors: Carolina Kolodziej1, Gesine Marquardt1, Esther G.C. Troost2
1Technische Universität Dresden, Faculty of Architecture - Chair of Social and Health Care Buildings and Design, Dresden, Germany; 2University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Dresden, Germany
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Purpose or Objective
The architecture and built environment of radiotherapy departments is a prerequisite for treatment. The implementation of evidence-based design in health care settings can positively influence workflow, travel paths, well-being and quality of stay. This study establishes spatial criteria and typologies of cluster formations and room organization by analyzing floorplans of radiotherapy departments in German hospitals.
Material and Methods
In order to obtain insight into the space requirements of radiotherapy departments the following procedures have been pursued. For developing typologies and planning requirements a comparative floorplan-analysis of 25 radiotherapy departments in Germany was conducted. Given the complexity of radiotherapy departments, a list of rooms was composed and categorized into cluster. The cluster-formations were further analyzed by their relation, distance and arrangement towards each other. The analysis was inspecting differences and similarities in patterns of spatial relationship of cluster and rooms. In addition, the comparability of different sized departments, measured by the number of therapy rooms, was investigated.
Results
With this comparative floorplan-analysis a classification of radiotherapy departments on the basis of organizational and spatial characteristics was developed. 6 cluster-formations were conducted: Outpatient, Imaging, Planning, Therapy, Personnel and Service with each dedicated rooms. Typologies and spatial characteristics were derived and visualized.
Conclusion
The comparative analysis of floorplans shows a spectrum of built environment and cluster arrangements, which lead to typologies and planning requirements. Further research will be conducted by combining these typologies with workflow, individual travel paths, environment behavior and requirements of all user groups and expert knowledge. With this multilayered study, design recommendations for planning radiotherapy departments can be identified.