WuduMate: Designing Hospital Multi-Faith Areas

WuduMate recognises the importance of a human-centred, collaborative and caring approach.It has been announced that the Dezeen architecture project of the year 2025 award has been won by the University Children’s Hospital, designed by Herzog & de Meuron “for the well-being of patients, their families and staff alike in Zurich, Switzerland.” (www.dezeen.com) The architects were careful to consider how the different aspects of the architecture, such as light, external landscaping, room proportions, and tactile materials as well as visual aesthetics could contribute to the healing process.

Herzog & de Meuron are by no means the only studio with a human-centred approach to their projects. An article on www.architectureau.com earlier this year highlighted architecture’s role in bringing people together to create meaningful, culturally relevant new places. This was a thought-provoking interview by Simona Falvo with Lina Ghotmeh, the founding principal of Lina Ghotmeh Architecture. Among several worthwhile and interesting points, she commented that

“Any project starts with caring, really caring; caring about the client, the team, the result, the users, the land and caring about the world.”

This collaborative and caring approach to design is surely not just important in the creation of new buildings. It is equally important to the interior design of new buildings, the retrofitting of existing buildings and on a smaller scale, to the creation of a new space where a change of use is required.

Major Challenges Faced by the NHS Relating to Design and Construction Projects

In the Uk, the discovery of RAAC in nearly fifty hospitals caused financial and operational difficulties, and for many the repair or rebuilding work is still ongoing. Most hospitals, even if not affected by RAAC are coping with neglected buildings and delayed construction work caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. Innovations in medical practice and rapid development in medicine technology alongside demographic changes also mean that interior planning and design of healthcare environments needs frequent appraisal and revision.

Small-scale Projects Within a Hospital Can Contribute to Individual Well-being

While architects, designers and construction teams can consult with healthcare professionals to help not just to solve these major challenges but to create more hospitals of the standard set by Herzog & de Meuron, they need product manufacturers to be thinking along the same lines. Keeping patients and staff safe is always a top priority within the NHS, but there are further considerations, which may be small details seen as part of the whole hospital, but which can still have a major impact on individuals, contributing to positive health outcomes for patients and improved staff well-being and morale.

Daily life in a hospital can consist of a unique mix of the usual routine tasks such as paperwork, cleaning, and property maintenance, along with emergency situations, tough decisions, stress, emotional and physical exhaustion, tragedy, and joy. This can undoubtedly put a strain on all involved: patients, family, and staff. An opportunity to spend time in solitude in a dignified environment can be a vital part of the healing process, both physical and spiritual. The idea of providing religious or spiritual support within a healthcare setting has been around for a very long time, but as the centuries have passed by and Britain has become a much more diverse and multi-cultural society, there has naturally been a change in what support is needed and what the physical space should look like.

Multi-faith Rooms with WuduMate Ablution Facilities

According to Building History website: “Medieval hospitals almost invariably had a chapel for their residents and staff, and some later hospitals continued the tradition.”

Nowadays, hospital chapels have evolved into multi faith areas, which must be designed to meet the needs of all who visit and work in the hospital. Involving potential users of the space in the design process, whether they are of any particular faith or none, fosters mutual understanding and respect and helps all staff, patients and visitors to feel welcome, regardless of their background or beliefs.

Tailor-made washing facilities should be provided close to a prayer or multi faith room for any users who wish to perform wudu, the Muslim pre-prayer ablution ritual. WuduMate’s unique range includes the WuduMate Mobile, ideal for use in prisons, care homes, hospitals, law courts, or anywhere requiring flexibility rather than a fixed installation. Autodesk Revit Files of WuduMate’s ablution products are freely available to download from https://www.bimstore.co/manufacturers/wudumate making it easy for an architect to specify them right at the beginning of a construction project, or for an interior designer planning a room refurbishment to choose the best WuduMate wudu facility, whether fixed or mobile, for an optimum layout.

To read about the recent WuduMate Classic installation at the Freeman Hospital see the gallery section of their website https://wudumate.com/category/projects/ Summing up the positive effect of this project, Katie Watson, Head of Chaplaincy of Newcastle Hospitals said:

“This facility will have a huge impact on the spiritual and theological wellbeing of our Muslim staff, as well as on patients and their relatives. The grant enables us to support, retain and care for our Muslim staff by ensuring that their dignity and beliefs are recognised.”

This article was featured in the Winter ‘25 edition of BIMCRUNCH. Find the full magazine here. To learn more about WuduMate or download their BIM objects, join Bimstore for free. For additional information, visit the WuduMate's manufacturer profile or their company website and social media pages.