Investigating Bio-Inspired Approaches for Designing Psycho-Oncological Support Units in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Arch

2 Assoc. Prof

Abstract

Historically, cancer patients have used to rely on the medical treatments only in the diagnosis of this disease. Nowadays a field of cancer support is called psychosocial oncology or psycho-Oncology has been emerged and spread worldwide to support medical treatments in order to improve patients’ recovery. However, here in Egypt there is still shortage despite the real need. In this respect, it is critical to adopt an architectural approach based on the human-nature relationship that has a positive impact on people with cancer well-being and, improve their therapeutic program. Then, this paper aims to reach that approach to connect people more closely to nature and, learn from it. To fulfill the research main goal a comparative analytical study was done. Whereas, connecting building with nature is taking different pathways, bio-mimicry, bio-philia, and digital morphogenesis, all have the same concerns but, with different priorities, weightings, and principles. This research ends by selecting digital morphogenesis as an approach for the design of supportive care units in Egypt. The selection of digital morphogenesis as an approach is based on the comparison that, distinguishes between the three mentioned bio-inspired approaches, not to draw borders but, to clarify what is currently happening in the overlapping fields of bio-inspired design and, to fill in gaps found in the adopted approach in further researches.

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