Architectural design is heavily intertwined with people and their well-being. There is a major shift in approach in the healthcare industry globally, from traditional patient care to mindful design. Space and form have major impact on our physical, social and mental wellbeing. A human ­ centered approach is therefore the way forward, to enhance patient care and satisfaction. The spatial design should facilitate the healing process while incorporating features that better support healthcare delivery.

Bangalore based firm, Aus Architecture has succeeded in addressing these aspects through their design solutions. A design consultancy firm, led by Mini Gopinath, Aus Architecture, has strived and managed to create a mark in the field of healthcare design. With over 20 years of experience, the firm has excelled in providing design services all across South India. Having worked on projects of varying scales from clinics to super specialty hospitals and medical colleges, Aus Architecture could etch it's small but growing footprint in the field of healthcare design.

Today, Aus Architecture is recognized as a full service Architectural and Interior Design Consultancy firm that offers a one stop solution with regards to planning, detailing and overseeing the construction in all areas of a hospital, which includes all Departments, OTs, CSSDs, Radiation Vaults, Blood Bank, Labs, Medicine Storage, and so on . The process also involves the people who play a critical role in the healthcare industry, by incorporating varied perspectives on how spaces perform and how they can be curated to support the patients and staff better. Aus Architecture has succeeded in efficient interconnectivity that foresees resource optimization, personnel optimization and resource management that facilitates in managing hospital operations better. While they offer utmost value to the business plan of their clients, no compromise is made in the efficiency of their design and planning processes.

Cashing on Resources to Meet its Objectives
There is a growing need for impeccable planning and management of a project from the early stages. While most clients are aware of this, Project Planning has to be understood from multiple perspectives, starting with the Doctors, Nursing and paramedical staff on the medical front, to the Engineers and Consultants and most importantly from the client's perspective. As the services required in a hospital are extremely complex, it becomes an inseparable and critical aspect of the planning process. This effective collaboration

that ties it all together, while integrating all healthcare related matrices is what Aus Architecture offers.

"The functional needs of the hospital keeps changing from time to time. Our forethought planning processes help in easily integrating the dynamic needs of the projects as time unfolds. While a lot of clients come up with the idea of starting a hospital, they are seldom acquainted-with the planning and construction process, the costs involved and so on. At Aus Architecture, our collective experience of past projects through the years, helps define our client's goals and guide them to help reach efficient and economical solutions", says architect Mini Gopinath.

“The idea is to ensure that the planning facilitates seamless movement of the patient and staff through the healthcare system. This includes every thing, right from the waiting area to the operation theatre. All of it should come together, as a whole”.

The functional needs of the hospital keeps changing from time to time. Our forethought planning processes help in easily integrating the dynamic needs of the projects as time unfolds

Aus Architecture makes the best possible use of available resources and technology by staying abreast with the advancements in healthcare planning and current trends in the industry. This helps in tackling design and construction challenges and in bringing our client's vision to life. From new methods of treatment, equipment, and responses to patient behaviors in different fields new research, technologies and theoretical approaches are being evolved, revolutionizing the experience and efficiency of a healthcare facility. "Keeping our eyes and ears open to the new developments, places one ahead in the market, which ultimately helps us come up with a facility that has an efficient ecosystem", adds architect Mini.

Since it's inception in 2003, Aus Architecture has worked on several projects including a Multispeciality 100 bed hospital that the firm rolled out in just 600 days,from conception and construction to completion and handover. "It is deeply rewarding when the doctors who work at the facility come and tell us, that they took up the job because of the ambience of the hospital, that they feel good to work in that atmosphere. This project's incredible success led to phase two work which has started within three years of handover", says Mini.

Adding about future plans, Mini shares "This last year, we have very successfully rolled out a series of interior fit outs for an eye care major in multiple locations. These were all very much time bound projects and were well received. We are currently working on a 500 bed IGBC certified project amongst several others and more projects lined up for the future”.

Aus Architecture has managed to create a niche in the field of Healthcare design in India over the years. They are one of the few architecture practices that excel in healthcare design in the country, and what sets them apart is their knowledge pool in the medical sector, with planning being their strong suit. When it comes to the planning process followed, the focus is primarily on optimization and utilization of space and the quality of planning. In cases where renovation is required, the design outcome is spaces that are aesthetically and dynamically sound. They are well versed in the requirements of the functioning of a medical facility, this put together with their exceptional spatial planning skills has led to them having a strong foothold in healthcare design.