Optimizing Green Design: Evaluating Environmental Satisfaction of End Users in Bhimber's Dhq Outpatient Department for Sustainable Future Usage & Optimum Functionality

Abstract

Purpose: Out Patient Department (OPD) is one of the most accessed departments with high influx and multiple clinical & allied facilities for public. OPD in District Head Quarter Hospital of Bhimber city in Azad Kashmir Pakistan has been a major OPD for public in city and influx has rapidly increased in recent pandemic and pre-pandemic times, raising questions about sustainable future usage and optimum services delivery. Methodology: Hence the user satisfaction with respect to environmental variables was a major concern and thus was explored through the observational study with help of a checklist and pictorial record was followed by data collection from medical and patient side end users of the facility using a questionnaire. Data was collected in both summer season (106 respondents) and winter (114 respondents) season. Findings: Major issues were indoor color design, air freshness, noise level, temperature, humidity, seating comfort, cleanliness of rest rooms due to their non presence at all and poor signage. Apart from these poor landscape design and seating for end users was also reported missing. Implications: As a result, design interventions were proposed at the end of the research which mainly included solarization, hybrid HVAC system integration, multiple nursing station additions and additions of internal storage and toilets through prefabricated units.