Connecting the project to Muuto's on-going exploration of neuroaesthetics, founder and executive director of the groundbreaking International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab) Susan Magsamen, offers some of her insights to why these principles work in practice.
Nestled next to a buzzing preschool on an otherwise quiet residential street in Frederiksberg, you find a highly unusual building. Not because it contrasts its surroundings, but because of what it represents. Diakonissestiftelsen’s hospice is renowned for its approach to end-of-life-care, transforming decades of experience, tacit knowledge and leading research on neuroaesthetic into a tangible space. One that makes a great impression on anyone who passes through its doors.
“This hospice and its spirit was conceived as a space where care goes beyond the clinical to encompass the emotional, spiritual, and aesthetic needs of patients and their families. Over the years, we’ve learned that the environment plays a crucial role in the well-being of our patients,” says Helle Tingrupp.
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Neuroaesthetics and wellbeing
As we now know, a range of aesthetic impulses and experiences affect the way that we feel and heal. The field of neuroaesthetics explores how our brains respond to these impressions, revealing the profound impact of design on human emotions and physiology.
Elements such as color, form, light, nature, and tactility activate the brain’s reward system similarly to other pleasurable activities. This has tangible implications for our health and well-being, including stress reduction, mood improvement, and enhanced cognitive function.
Susan Magsamen, the founder and executive director of the Inernational Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab), Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, is a frequent collaborator of Muuto. When speaking of spaces for healthcare and neuroaesthetics, she emphasizes how consideration of sensory elements has a profound effect on the well-being of patients, their families, and healthcare workers. She points out that in particular light, both natural and artificial, is integral to our wellbeing.
“Lighting – particularly exposure to natural daylight – has been linked to improved patient outcomes and higher staff productivity and job satisfaction. Well-lit spaces can create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that fosters a positive environment and promotes the overall comfort of hospice patients and their families.”
Applying intuition and knowledge
Intuitively aligning with this knowledge, Diakonissestiftelsen has developed principles centered around the integration of nature, art, and design into the care environment. These principles have been distilled into a toolbox that continuously guides their decisions—from the selection of artwork, colors, furniture and materials to the incorporation of flexible, adaptable spaces that can meet the varying needs of patients and their families.
"One of the most significant aspects of what we do is creating a welcoming and peaceful environment for patients and their families. First impressions are really important to us,” says Tingrupp.
Here, architecture and interior design are carefully crafted to ensure that visitors feel at ease immediately upon arrival. Architecturally, the building’s swooping curves keep the privacy of patients intact, as visitors are welcomed and taken by hand, properly introduced to the space and its people.
“We strive to create an atmosphere that feels welcoming and serene, challenging the traditional, somber perceptions of a hospice. Our goal is to build a hospice that feels both like a home and a place of care. We need both openness and privacy.”
Working in close collaboration with the architects, they arrived at an open and inviting rounded common room that breaks up the long and impersonal corridors often seen in hospitals, making way for intimate spaces within the structure. These ensure that patients and their families have space to gather, and areas to retreat and be in solitude.
"Throughout the years, we have learned that families want to be part of the community, but also have the option to take a step back and be alone. This is reflected in the design of the common room. These areas are designed to be flexible and supportive, accommodating larger communal activities like Friday singing and dinners, as well as more private moments.”
Welcoming nature in
Many of these look onto a central courtyard, a green heart to the building, or the extensive outdoor terrace where many find solace and ease throughout the day. As we know that natural elements such as fresh air, natural light, and greenery are all beneficial to our wellbeing and lower cortisol levels, they are nothing less than essential.
Tingrupp explains: "The integration of natural elements, despite the urban location, is another key aspect of the design. Patients have views of nature, even though we’re in the city. This connection to the outside world is crucial for their well-being,” Susan Magsamen agrees:
“Research into environmental psychology suggests that we feel more connected to places that incorporate elements of nature or biophilic design. Natural light, plants, and natural materials can help reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and promote well-being and recovery.” — Susan Magsamen.
Sensing home
This is equally reflected in the choice of natural materials, chosen not only for their beauty and durability, but also for bringing a sense of home to the hospice.
“Patient rooms are their private space, and we treat it as such. We always knock and wait for permission to enter, respecting that this is their final home,” tells Tingrupp.
Yet, home feels different to everybody. The private rooms are designed to be flexible and customizable, allowing patients and families to make them their own using artworks, personal objects, photos, sound, and lighting. This personalization is crucial as it helps to transform an institutional setting into a familiar and comforting environment, which is essential for the well-being of those who spend time here.
“Form, furniture, and objects are chosen for their ability to create a home-like atmosphere, with simplicity and elegance as guiding principles, avoiding sharp edges and harsh lines. Natural materials, such as wood and textiles, add warmth and texture, creating a comforting environment. Light is managed carefully, with large windows allowing for natural daylight while also ensuring privacy.”
A good home is well taken care of, and this is the feeling they aspire to create across the space. A sense that everything is in order, clean, but not sterile, up to date, and in a good place. The interior is a blank slate for the patient to take on. This idea affirms and embodies Susan Magsamen’s statement that ‘integration of these neuroaesthetic principles to foster a home-like environment can increase patient and family satisfaction and comfort’.
Particular objects, the use of natural materials, carry a deeper meaning, inspiring ease of mind and body, as well as creating space for reflection. These elements are not just decorative; they play a role in creating an environment where healing and comfort can take place. Colors have been kept to a minimum, opting for soft, neutral tones.
"We use color to evoke a sense of calm and restoration. Soft, neutral tones dominate the interior, providing a soothing backdrop that does not overwhelm the senses. They are less likely to clash with the diverse preferences of our patients. Colour is very subjective—some find comfort in soft tones, others might not – but we wanted to avoid anything too stark or unsettling,” says Tingrupp.
Anyone visiting the hospice will notice the distinctive and throughout use of artworks in patient and treatment rooms as well as communal areas. Sculptures, tapestries, drawings, and paintings dot the space, bringing with them a sense of energy and resonance.
“Certain aesthetic experiences, such as interacting with nature, creating music, or viewing art, may trigger the release of neurochemicals like endorphins (associated with pleasure) and oxytocin (associated with bonding and relaxation). These hormones can improve mood and contribute to a sense of safety, which is particularly valuable in hospice care,” explains Magsamen.
The use of art within the space is part of Diakonissestiftelsen’s overall strategy. They work with curators and the immense collection of Ny Carlsberg Foundation to select artwork that is both visually intriguing and thought-provoking, intended to gently engage.
“This space is our own interpretation of the care environment, and we hope it feels refreshing and somewhat surprising… it challenges the notion that a hospice should only be a place of sorrow,” says Tingrupp.
