Biophilic Green Hospitals: Buildings that Heal Society and the Planet through Resource Efficiency

The concept of the "Green Hospital" goes beyond sustainability with a merely environmental focus, emerging as a catalyst for the health and well-being of society as a whole.

By integrating the principles of biophilic architecture and innovative strategies for reducing energy and water consumption, these healthcare buildings not only minimize their ecological footprint but also cultivate spaces intrinsically connected to nature. These spaces promote healing and comfort for patients, healthcare professionals, and visitors, while having a positive ripple effect on the surrounding community.

In Portugal, the growing adoption of this innovative approach represents a crucial step towards building a more humane, resilient, and environmentally harmonious healthcare system.

Biophilic architecture, the cornerstone of Green Hospitals, acknowledges our innate need for connection with nature.
By incorporating natural elements into the building design—such as abundant natural light, the presence of indoor and outdoor vegetation, the use of natural materials, biomorphic shapes and patterns, and the creation of spaces with views of nature—biophilic Green Hospitals create therapeutic environments that go beyond clinical functionality.

These spaces foster stress reduction, mood enhancement, faster recovery, and increased satisfaction, directly impacting the quality of healthcare and the experience of everyone who uses the hospital.
"Biophilic architecture responds to our innate need for connection with nature, promoting health, well-being, and performance." (Stephen R. Kellert & Judith H. Heerwagen, Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life, 2008).
This quote underlines the foundation of biophilic architecture—our intrinsic connection with the natural world—which, when integrated into healthcare spaces, is fundamental to human well-being.

However, the true essence of a Green Hospital lies in its ability to operate efficiently, minimizing the consumption of vital resources such as energy and water, and reducing environmental impacts throughout its entire life cycle.
The integration of consumption-reduction strategies is not just an environmental responsibility—it is also a means of optimizing long-term operational costs and ensuring the healthcare system's resilience in the face of future resource shortages.
"Sustainability is not just an environmental concern, but an economic and social necessity. A declining planet cannot sustain a prosperous economy or a just society." (William McDonough & Michael Braungart, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, 2002). In other words, it is essential to include sustainable practices in hospitals as well.

To reduce energy consumption, biophilic Green Hospitals adopt a range of strategies, beginning with bioclimatic design. This approach orients the building to maximize natural light and cross ventilation, reducing the need for artificial lighting and intensive air conditioning. It is complemented by the use of efficient windows, high-performance thermal insulation, and solar shading.

Although architects cannot choose the location of a hospital, the building’s layout results from a series of decisions that include concern for its orientation. In the project we developed for the Beatriz Ângelo Hospital in Loures, in addition to favoring the orientation of rooms towards the south and southwest, the circulation areas were designed with natural lighting so that the pathways offer contact with the outdoors. The strategic placement of openings in various contexts fosters environments that help users associate the space with a sense of place and position.

The incorporation of renewable energies—such as photovoltaic panels for on-site electricity generation and solar thermal systems for water heating—reduces dependence on the conventional power grid and significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Efficient lighting is ensured through the replacement of traditional bulbs with low-consumption LED technology, controlled by smart systems with motion sensors and light-intensity regulators.

Smart climate control systems with high energy efficiency, zoned control, and heat recovery minimize energy consumption for thermal comfort, with natural ventilation prioritized whenever possible.
Effective energy management is achieved through the installation of monitoring systems that track real-time consumption, allowing inefficiencies to be identified and corrected. Awareness programs promoting conscious consumption among staff are also crucial.

Lastly, selecting energy-efficient medical and support equipment significantly contributes to reducing the hospital’s overall electricity usage.

Regarding water consumption reduction, biophilic Green Hospitals implement rainwater harvesting and reuse systems for non-potable uses such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and exterior cleaning.
Sustainable landscaping, using native and climate-adapted plants that require minimal watering, drastically reduces outdoor water use.

In the project we developed for the New Outpatient Building at IPOLFG (Portuguese Oncology Institute of Lisbon Francisco Gentil), the exterior space was designed to create ecologically differentiated zones. By shaping surfaces and establishing naturally humid environments at the lower levels, irrigation needs were reduced. Existing vegetation and living soil were preserved to maximize available resources. The proposed vegetation is multilayered and native, composed of species well adapted to local conditions—resilient and low maintenance—enhancing biodiversity in local flora and fauna.

The installation of water-efficient fixtures—such as faucets, showers, and toilets with low-flow mechanisms and flow control—minimizes consumption in bathrooms and service areas.
Continuous monitoring and leak detection in water distribution systems help prevent waste.
In more advanced systems, greywater reuse (from sinks and showers), after treatment, is considered for non-potable purposes such as irrigation and toilet flushing.

Additionally, raising awareness among staff and patients about the importance of water conservation can lead to significant behavior changes.

The contributions of a Biophilic Green Hospital to society are magnified by its resource efficiency.
Lower operational costs free up financial resources that can be reinvested in healthcare. The reduction of the ecological footprint contributes significantly to climate change mitigation and the preservation of natural resources for future generations.

By demonstrating that it is possible to design and operate healthcare buildings responsibly and efficiently, these hospitals serve as models for other sectors and for society as a whole—highlighting their exemplary and educational value.

For example, the creation of a "Circular Community Health Hub" within the Biophilic Green Hospital concept could be a future evolution. This hub would go beyond a treatment center, functioning as an integrated ecosystem that promotes preventive health, environmental education, and the circular economy within the local community.

This Hub could include several features, such as:

Public Therapeutic Gardens: Open to the public and not just for patient recovery, these green spaces would offer areas for recreation, meditation, and horticultural therapy—strengthening everyone's connection to nature;

Sustainability and Health Education Programs: The hospital could offer workshops and courses for the community on healthy eating, permaculture, composting, and water and energy conservation at home—positioning itself as a center of knowledge on sustainable practices;

Hospital Waste Management with Community Partnerships: Beyond internal recycling, the hospital could partner with local businesses for reuse or upcycling of certain (non-hazardous) waste types or compost organic waste for use in community gardens;

Mobile Preventive Health Clinics: Using electric or hybrid vehicles, the hospital could deliver preventive healthcare services (basic checkups, vaccinations, screenings) and education on wellness and sustainability directly to local communities—reinforcing the hospital's role as an active partner in public and environmental health;

Green Health Innovation Incubator: The hospital could create a space for startups and researchers developing technologies and solutions for health and sustainability—from new bio-inspired building materials to energy and water monitoring apps for healthcare buildings.

In the near future, by implementing a Circular Community Health Hub, Biophilic Green Hospitals would not only heal society and the planet through resource efficiency and biophilic design, but also empower communities to adopt healthier and more sustainable lifestyles—creating a multiplying positive impact.

In Portugal, in the short term, the development of Biophilic Green Hospitals focused on energy and water efficiency represents a strategic investment in the future of the healthcare system, as well as in the comfort and well-being of the population.
It is crucial that public policies encourage and support the adoption of these integrated approaches through financial incentives, favorable regulations, and comprehensive education and training programs.

By combining the therapeutic benefits of biophilic architecture with the environmental responsibility of resource efficiency, we can build hospitals that truly heal both society and the planet.