The hospital’s design capitalizes its close proximity to Yishun Pond, with the building’s

massing designed in a V-shape to seemingly embrace the pond and add greenery and
water into the heart of the facility. The orientation of the building benefits from the
prevailing north and southeast winds to enhance the natural ventilation within the building
– ultimately reducing the reliance on the use of mechanical cooling systems. The tropical
climate of Singapore was a key factor in the selection of the plants, specifically indigenous
and local plans, and also was a factor in the decision to use shading devices, specifically,
aluminum fins and the incorporation of “wing walls” that channel the breezes from the
prevailing winds into the building (National Healthcare Group, n.d.). According to tests
done at the National University of Singapore, these features increase the airflow by 20 –
30%.

[Link]. Key Features

Khoo Tech Puat Hospital (KTPH) in Singapore is known for its approach to healthcare
design, transforming the traditional cold and sterile hospital to a more conventional and
human-centered experience. KTPH is not only celebrated for its medical excellence but
also for its pioneering and holistic model which seamlessly integrates biophilic design,
sustainability, and community.

Biophilic “Hospital in a Garden” Design: The most defining feature is its strong
connection to nature, which helps create a healing environment. The hospital grounds have
a green plot ratio of nearly 4.0. This means the amount of greenery is almost four times the
size of the land it occupies (Channel NewsAsia, n.d.).

Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Operations: KTPH is a leader in eco-friendly healthcare.

The hospital has earned the BCA Green Mark Platinum award. About 70% of the floor area
uses natural ventilation. This approach greatly lowers the need for energy-intensive air
conditioning and cuts energy use by 30 to 50% compared to traditional hospitals (Channel
NewsAsia, n.d.).

Community Integration and Therapeutic Spaces: The hospital is built to serve as a

community hub, not just a medical facility. About 40% of its blue-green spaces are open to
the public, encouraging activities such as line dancing, tai chi, and gardening. Volunteers
tend to the rooftop farms. The hospital incorporates a therapeutic garden, including a
dedicated garden for patients with dementia, that of which offer safe and calming areas for
reflection (Channel NewsAsia, n.d.).

The hospital regularly ranks in the number 1 spot in Singapore’s Ministry of Health patient
satisfaction surveys. The studies regarding post-occupancy indicate that more than 80% of
hospital users strongly think that hospitals should invest in designs which incorporate
nature in its design ethos (“A Hospital in a Garden,” 2010).

[Link]. Integration with Urban Context

Kho Tech Puat Hospital (KTPH) seamless integration into its urban and natural context was
a core design pillar. The site, of the hospital, being located in the Yishun district, is a unique
site given its close vicinity to a residential neighborhood, a central public park, and a
natural body of water coverage (Ramboll, n.d.). The response to this context was to create
ad permeable and welcoming complex which aims to erase the design boundaries that is
between a hospital and the city.

Seamless Park Integration: The hospital’s landscaping was designed to flow directly into
the adjacent Yishun Pond Park, deliberately blurring the line between the medical campus
and public recreational space. This design strategy aims to transform the hospital into a
profound extension of the park, inviting the nearby community onto its grounds and making
it a seamless integration to be a part of their daily lives – reducing the stigma that is often
associated with healthcare institutions (Ramboll, n.d.).

Topographical and Contextual Response: The massing of the complex was carefully
composed in order to not disrespect the low-rise residential scale of Yishun. Instead of
designing a building that is a singular monolithic block, the hospital is broken down and
spread through into a cluster of smaller, and more articulated blocks of mass (World Green
Building Council, n.d.). This design approach greatly reduces the visual scale, and
preventing it from almost overwhelmingly encompassing the immediate surrounding
neighborhoods, allowing it to sit comfortable without sticking out well within its context.

Activation of the Waterfront: The hospital’s design fully embraces the site’s location on
Yishun Pond by integrating active public edges. The site boasting waterfront promenades,
terraces, and a multitude of food and beverage outlets are strategically places to draw the
nearby community in. The integration of public pathways and bridges routed through the
site encourages pedestrians to use the hospital campus as a connective outlet, ensuring
that the site remains vibrant and well-integrated into its context.

[Link]. Design Intentions

The design intention for Khoo Teck Puat Hospital was envisioned to create a truly holistic
environment that nurtures healing for both the body and mind, while also actively
promotes and advocates for the well-being of patients, the visitors, and staff through an
evidence-based, and humanistic approach. This philosophy was the guiding beacon of the
concept of a “Hospital in a Garden” philosophy that of which was a critical factor that
informed every aspect of the design.

De-institutionalized Atmosphere: A goal of the designers was to eliminate the stressful

nature, and clinical feel of traditional hospital design. (World Green Building Council, n.d.).
This goal was achieved by incorporating a resort-like aesthetic that integrates lush
landscaping, and naturally abundant materials such as timber and stone, and also
strategically used natural light to maximize the aesthetic and further push for the “Hospital
in a Garden” design ethos.

Patient and Family Centered Well-being: The design of the hospital prioritizes the
emotional needs each user. Patients wards were designed in a way that mimics hotel
rooms that has large windows which open up into lush greenery, giving patients the sense
of control and crucial connection with the outdoors and the natural light cycles (World
Green Building Council, n.d.)

. The designers also incorporated family zones into the waiting areas, and having the
welcoming public amenities be designed that caters to the needs of its visitors, realizing
the need for visitors because of their very important role in the healing process of the
patients.

Biophilic Connection to Nature: Biophilic healthcare design is the project’s central design
ethos. Aside from the use of extensive gardens in the complex, the design fully embraces
water features, green walls, and the careful planning of the views to nature that may be
accessed to every interior spaces in the hospital. The constant visual and auditory
connection to nature is seen to have successfully reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and
generally improve clinical outcomes, proving itself to be a crucial part of the therapeutic
experience (Surbana Jurong, n.d.).
Environmental Sustainability as a Core Value: The hospital is a benchmark for
sustainable healthcare design – aiming to be an ecosystem itself. Energy efficiency is
achieve by using passive design strategies like having natural ventilation and solar shading
for natural light. The entrance waterfall is a part of a system that uses the water from Yishun
Pond to assist in cooling the exterior façade. The extensive planting of native greenery has
significantly increased the local biodiversity, even attracting wildlife, which unironically
reinforces the hospital’s commitment to health even encompassing the well-being of the
planet (Surbana Jurong, n.d.) .

Operational Efficiency for Staff: For the staff, the design of areas of work and staff break
spaces prioritize the easy access to natural lighting, ventilation, and views to the greenery
to reduce the burnout from the workload and improve the morale. The arrangement of
departments also aim to optimize the workflow and reduce the travel distances of the staff,
enhancing the operational efficiency and allowing the staff to focus on delivering quality
care (Surbana Jurong, n.d.).

The design of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital transcends the mere functionality of what an
hospital is. It fosters an environment of serenity and an empathetic environment in which
every detail, from the masterplan and even down to the material selection, is laced with
intention of wellbeing. It successfully replaces the anxiety that is often induced by the
healthcare setting by providing a calming, life-affirming atmosphere which actively
promotes healing and well-being for all its users.