Background

My fascination is founded by inner compassion with people and situations from a religious[1] and human perspective. Because of family background and working experience with an Architectural Firm[2] specialised in elderly healthcare my fascination for healthcare grew more and more. My main objective is to create a stimulating and healing environment for the physical, mental, social and spiritual well being of people who are suffering.  In 2004 as a 50 years jubilee project from GelukTreurniet Architecten I made a design for a University College[3] for the Ethiopian NGO[4] Hope Enterprises[5] in beneficiary of underprivileged youngsters. Since then I voluntarily got involved in the work of Hope, the HUC and their other activities to upgrade life for the poorest of the poor. After travelling several times to Ethiopia, the country, the people, their cultures[6] and the possibilities became a real fascination.  These fascinations came together when during one of my visits Dr. Minas Hiruy[7] asked if I was willing to design the masterplan for the Dessie Referral Hospital voluntarily. After hearing the background of the hospital I was very much motivated to help. Because of my study at the TU Delft I was concerned that I would not have time to do it or had to delay my study even more then it already was which brings me in big financial problems. After seeing the possibilities of Explore Lab I concluded this was a great opportunity to use my fascinations to do specialised research in benefit of Healthcare projects and make a global masterplan design for the Dessie Referral Hospital. As an architect it is important to realize and take your responsibility for the iniquities in the world. To use your abilities and expertise to serve the greater cause. Only in this way changes can be made to improve life for the biggest part of the world population who are now living in heartbreaking circumstances. With this project an attempt will be made to take that responsibility. With this research and case project an attempt will be made to contribute to research on a global scale to improve healthcare facilitations especially from the point of view of Healing Environments. The case project will be a precedent for holistic approach in healthcare design[8] and the use of architecture as a trigger or detonator in development. 
 

[2] GelukTreurniet Architecten, Vlaardingen

[3] Hope University College (HUC)
[4] Non Governmental Organisation / Aid organisation
[5] more information about Hope Enterprises on www.hopeenterprises.org[6] more then 70 different cultures: Bron: Beurden, J. van, Ethiopiè……
[7]  President of Hope Enterprises
[8] The Guardian, November 2001, Prince Charles calls for 'holistic' hospital design