710
Design Rationale: The Space Module
712
THE SPACE MODULE
712.1
DERIVATION
712.1.1
When viewed in the context of the total hospital, the bed care portion is
somewhat unique:
1. The bed care portion consists of generally repetitive elements (nursing
units).
2. It has particular requirements for aspect (outlook) and perimeter to area
ratios.
3. Nursing units are often consistent in size and arrangement from one
hospital to the next.
The above features led to the development of space modules with
pretested functional content which can be configured and, if desired,
constructed prior to the actual plan layout of each module.
712.1.2
Within the capabilities of the building system, it is obviously preferable to
maximize the range of plan options available to the VA, provided that the
objectives of functional content, cost and adaptability can be achieved.
While it may be possible to develop one optimum plan solution for a
specific medical program, the uncertainty of medical programs and
change in facility requirements makes the ability to achieve a large
number of plan solutions necessary.
712.1.3
From an analysis of current nursing unit plan types, it was apparent that
almost every imaginable variation of geometrical form has been used at
one time or another. It is interesting to note, however, that the vast
majority of solutions fall into a limited number of geometrical patterns and
have reasonably consistent dimensional characteristics. Almost all
solutions examined are variations of the core ("race track"), double-loaded
corridor or cluster organizations which have been used as independent
towers or attached to a larger element. A representative sample of plan
solutions is shown on the following pages.
712.1.4
Organization
In examining the inherent characteristics of nursing unit plans, it was
apparent that certain functional requirements tend to establish sets of
constraints and variables.
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