Hierarchical Spatial Design for Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinics: Healing Architecture Approach

BackgroundResearch has demonstrated that therapeutic architectural spaces can significantly enhance patient treatment outcomes. However, current designs underutilize therapeutic potential due to three key limitations: poor environmental comfort, suboptimal health metrics, and weak cultural immersion.PurposeThis study develops a healing-oriented spatial design framework for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics.MethodsForty-one requirements were identified through literature review, interviews, and WELL v2 standards, which were refined to 23 core needs based on environmental healing theory. The Kano model and Better-Worse coefficient analysis were applied to quantify their dual impacts on user satisfaction and health benefits.Results and ConclusionsThe four-layer design model comprises: (a) a Basic layer that strictly adheres to six essential requirements from TCM clinic standards; (b) an Enhanced layer that optimizes five performance-driven needs; (c) an Innovative layer that develops 11 culturally distinctive features; and (d) a Potential Optimization layer that formulates dynamic strategies for indifferent-type requirements. It provides the first quantitative tool for TCM clinic space design that integrates healing environment theory with TCM characteristics, highlights the value of the built environment as a nonpharmacological therapy, and promotes the paradigm shift of healthcare spaces from "disease treatment" to "health promotion."