Hospital Architecture: The Past, Present and Future of Hospitals (Volume 2)

"Hospital Architecture: The Past, Present and Future of Hospitals" explores the evolution of healthcare spaces from their origins to the most innovative visions of the 21st century. The book analyses how hospitals have evolved from being functional, rigid structures into environments centred on human wellbeing, sustainability and technological efficiency. Through an interdisciplinary approach, it integrates architecture, medicine, engineering and the social sciences to understand the impact of design on patient recovery, staff performance and the community experience. The book highlights the importance of biophilia, the humanisation of spaces, structural flexibility and the incorporation of smart technologies as cornerstones of the hospital of the future. It also reflects on contemporary challenges, such as pandemics, urban growth and equity in access to healthcare. This work proposes a vision in which hospital infrastructure not only meets clinical needs but also becomes a living, resilient and profoundly human ecosystem.