Designing the Transformation of Permata Medical Center Hospital from Type D to Type C with a Healing Environment Approach

Abstract

This architectural design project addresses the critical shortage of healthcare infrastructure in Indramayu Regency by proposing the comprehensive transformation of Permata Medical Center (PMC) from an outdated Type D facility into a regulatory-compliant Type C hospital. The redesign is fundamentally centered on a Healing Environment approach, aiming to enhance patient recovery outcomes and staff well-being while optimizing operational functionality. The design process was informed by a mixed-methodology, incorporating a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) of the existing facility,

contextual site and climate analysis, a review of local disease prevalence, and precedent studies of successful healing- focused hospitals.

The proposed architectural solution features a 'Twin Tower' concept that bifurcates the building mass to create a central, landscaped healing garden, which serves to maximize natural light and cross-ventilation. This configuration optimizes spatial planning with clearly delineated circulation for public, private, and service flows, improving operational efficiency and infection control. Key design interventions were validated through environmental simulations, including daylighting (DIALUX) and airflow (CFD) analyses, to prove their effectiveness in achieving thermal and visual comfort. The development strategy is also financially validated, projecting a 6.8-year payback period on an estimated IDR 89.9 billion investment. In conclusion, by integrating Evidence-Based Design principles, this project provides a viable blueprint for a modern, sustainable, and humane healthcare facility that addresses Indramayu's infrastructure gap and establishes a new paradigm for restorative hospital architecture in the region.