Nurturing Ease: A Holistic Design Approach for Hospices in Ontario

Abstract

We all encounter death in life. For those facing terminal illness, having agency to prepare for the end-of-life or the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and profound experience. Hospice aims to provide a comforting and peaceful environment for individuals and their loved ones during this final phase of life, an alternative to the home or hospital. This thesis focuses on establishing a holistic approach to hospice design, building upon existing compassionate architecture and evidence-based practices to prioritize human experience and create opportunities for meaningful moments of connection - with oneself, loved ones, and community. This thesis integrates literature reviews, case studies, and fieldwork conducted in the Region of Waterloo to inform the architectural brief and kit of parts that shape the design proposal. Literature reviews on biophilic design and evidence-based design considerations for care environments, and case studies of hospice and adjacent residential-healthcare typologies in an international context serve as a basis for approaching hospice design. This is further contextualized to Ontario through an architectural catalogue of hospices across the province and fieldwork insights from care providers and staff of hospices in the Region of Waterloo, offering perspectives beyond what is prescribed in the current design standards informing hospice design in the province. Ultimately, this thesis seeks to define a holistic design approach for hospice residences in Ontario, one that prioritizes human experience and contributes to the growing body of international research on hospice architecture. Through this, it establishes a practical design guide that enriches the spatial requirements for future hospices in the province, fostering environments where the final moments of life are supported with sensitivity and compassion.