Abstract
Purpose: In terms of the flexibility in hospital architecture, there are fixed elements of hospital architecture: mechanical, electrical, aeration rooms and shafts, which are the main utility spaces. Thus, it is necessary to recognize the utility space as a system that helps internal functions and flexible internal changes. This study analyzes the notion of the main utility space in hospital architecture and the architectural planning features of the main utility spaces as the system in the design process of the recently built hospitals. Methods: The design factors are extracted comparing two hospitals' plans in each stage and the systematic characteristics of utility spaces are analyzed accordingly. The opinions gathered from interviews of practitioners, architects and facility planning experts directly involved in the architecture design process are analyzed and reflected in the results. Results: Planning for utility spaces should be accompanied by the architectural plan from the basic design process, and proceeded with recognizing utility spaces as a system, which is a fixed element. Utility spaces are highly organically connected. Horizontal and vertical distribution of air chambers can reduce the length and number of ducts, and thus save story height, and reduce the number of shafts, the vertical connection passage. This is advantageous in securing the variable area, which is the ultimate objective of the system-centered hospital architecture plan. Implications: Thereby aims to provide fundamental data on systematic utility space planning in the hospital architecture planning.
