What Does It Really Mean To Design For Wellness healthcare?

Wellness in Healthcare Design: A Holistic Approach

At VISTAMATIC, we regularly explore and discuss wellness in healthcare—especially in terms of prevention and long-term health strategies for modern medical facilities.

Defining Wellness in Design

An article in Healthcare Design Magazine, titled “What Does It Really Mean To Design For Wellness?”, examined this topic and stated: “You can’t talk about the healthcare industry today without bringing up wellness, a concept that’s been nudged to the forefront by reform, the aging population, and the demands of a more competitive market. Healthcare that focuses on total, lifelong health—and not just sickness and emergencies—is a rallying cry with no end in sight.

It seems simple enough, but when considering the design implications, it can get overwhelming quickly. We knew we wanted to cover wellness as a topic in the magazine this year, but when the editorial team sat down to discuss it, we first had to define our terms.

When you apply wellness thinking to the built environment, what does that mean exactly? Fitness centers? Education centers within hospitals? Walking trails?

Or what about the building itself—should we be talking about materials, FF&E, and construction methods that are environmentally friendly and promote a healthier climate overall? That’s wellness, too. And don’t forget the staff. What are we doing to improve their wellness in healthcare settings?

Then there’s community outreach—extending wellness beyond patients and existing consumers. Healthcare providers are stepping up to meet this challenge, and the built environment must support those efforts.

Healthcare professionals are in a strong position to lead this movement and create meaningful change in their communities. Designers should support them by creating spaces that make these goals possible.”

Our Role in Supporting Wellness

At VISTAMATIC, we recognize the critical role privacy and design play in healthcare wellness. Our privacy glass solutions are known for their simplicity, durability, and clean, modern aesthetics. They also support infection control by offering easy-to-clean surfaces and minimizing the need for fabric blinds or curtains.

We collaborate closely with our partners to ensure every panel we produce aligns with the long-term needs of patient care, privacy, and wellness in medical settings. Our goal is to enhance environments that promote healing—for patients, staff, and the broader community.