Architecture of palliative care institutions in Africa
https://doi.org/10.22227/2305-5502.2025.3.7
Abstract
Introduction. This study attempts to characterize the current state of palliative care, to identify the features and characteristics in the architectural design of palliative institutions in African countries. The relevance of this paper is related to the need to study international experience in the field of architectural organization of palliative care in a complex social, economic, logistical and epidemiological situation.
Materials and methods. Scientific papers on the architectural design of palliative care facilities in African countries, logistical relationships, socio-economic and epidemiological conditions for the development of palliative care, published in 2008–2024, presented on the portals eLibrary, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, were analyzed.
Results. A brief history of the development of palliative care on the African continent is presented. The main difficulties in the development of this area have been identified. The paper presents the characteristic features and peculiarities of the architectural environment of palliative institutions in Africa, including functional, stylistic, climatic, cultural, religious, social, epidemiological and economic. The design features of palliative care facilities in African countries demonstrate how architectural solutions become a tool for adapting to unique conditions, while maintaining a balance between functionality, cultural traditions, aesthetics and humanity.
Conclusions. The main architectural differences from world analogues are that African institutions are more often built with the utmost minimization of construction and operation costs and maximum emphasis on the functionality, flexibility and sustainability of the building. Limited resources shift the focus from high-tech solutions and the availability of specialized medical facilities, adopted in developed countries, to simplicity and sustainability of architectural solutions that ensure their operational efficiency and durability.
Keywords
hospices of Africa,
palliative centres of Africa,
hospice architecture,
architecture of African countries,
hospice design,
architecture of palliative institutions
Supporting agencies: The author expresses deep gratitude to the editorial board of the journal and anonymous reviewers for their time and attention.
About the Author
A. R. Klochko
Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (National Research University) (MGSU)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Asmik R. Klochko — Candidate of Architecture, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Architecture
26 Yaroslavskoe shosse, Moscow, 129337
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Review
For citations:
Klochko A.R. Architecture of palliative care institutions in Africa. Construction: Science and Education. 2025;15(3):113-125. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22227/2305-5502.2025.3.7
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