HOSPICE

Abstract

Hospice is a concept of care for the terminally ill which takes into account not only the physical, but also the emotional, psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patient. It may be provided in the patient’s own home, in hospital or in a special place called a hospice. The accommodation of the hospice facilities for the care of the inpatients, respite, daycare and as a base for home care service. This building also a fulfils for the homecare role of a centre for the training of doctors and nurses in techniques of hospice care. The objective of this thesis project is to achieve a domestic, intimate and reassuring sense of scale throughout the scheme, along with the avoidance of clinical or institutional connotations while allowing highly trained staff to implement their skills with the appropriate medical facilities, such as those found in a hospital ward. The architecture aims to relieve the patient’s boredom and anxiety, and to create an environment that encourage the patients to relate and understand nature; thus heighten their spiritual awareness and acceptance of death. The site is within the compound of Tan Tock Sana Hospital where patients can receive more complicated medical treatment quickly. It is centrally located and has easy access to public transport for the convenience of both relatives, who would visit often, and volunteers.