Korean hospital design, state of the art

This paper analyzes the architectural characteristics and trends and suggests some tasks for better hospitals. Hospital design has been improved qualitatively in architectural form and interior. Although overall forms of most buildings have a vertical concept, horizontal concept hospitals have been attempted. In ward plan, various shapes have appeared and interior space has been more dynamic. Special clinics and centres have been established and operated to meet the high level of patients' demand. Suggestions for better hospital could be the increase of private rooms, decreasing the size of the nursing unit, the use of the horizontal concept, supplement of safety-privacy-hygiene, and some sensory factors.