Architect Insights: Implications and Barriers of Future-Proofing Hospitals

AimThis study explores how future-proofing is understood and applied in hospital building design, focusing on the perspectives of experienced architects. It aims to examine the practical implications of future-proofing and to identify key barriers to its implementation within contemporary healthcare infrastructure projects.BackgroundExisting literature often focuses on the general benefits, such as cost savings and sustainability, but lacks detailed analysis of the multifaceted implications and obstacles encountered in real-world projects. This study addresses this gap by directly examining architects' perspectives, offering critical insights into the practical realities and complexities of future-proofing hospital buildings, thereby contributing to a more nuanced understanding and informed decision-making in this field.MethodsSixteen semistructured interviews were conducted with experienced hospital architects based in Australia. Data were analyzed using a combination of deductive and inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThe results of thematic analysis have been categorized under three overarching categories: perceived benefits, perceived drawbacks, and implementation challenges. The findings highlight that future-proofing is neither inherently beneficial nor burdensome, but rather a context-sensitive strategy that must be tailored to each project's evolving operational, economic, and policy.ConclusionsThe study underscores the need for more systematic, longitudinal evaluation of future-proofing strategies, as well as greater integration of advanced futures methodologies into healthcare planning and design processes. A more structured and evidence-based approach to future-proofing can support the development of hospital infrastructure that is both resilient and responsive to the long-term evolution of healthcare systems.