Hospice as an Object of Lighting Design

The article considers the problem of lighting design of hospices as a medical institution and as a comfortable place to spend the last days of life. The purpose of this study is to determine the lighting techniques that provide conditions of visual comfort in the hospice space. The work is done through a review of scientific literature and analysis of design materials. The hypothesis of the study suggests that to improve the psycho-emotional state of patients it is necessary to saturate the hospice space with daylight, to ensure human interaction with nature. Electric lighting of hospices should be approached from two positions – utilitarian approach (to perform functional tasks) and artistic approach (to bring patients’ living conditions closer to home comfort). We studied articles from the scientific electronic library e-library, Scopus, Web of Science databases (2004–2023) about lighting design of hospices, gerontology and palliative centres, hospice and nursing homes. The search resulted in 104 references. From these, 30 scientific articles were selected and analysed on the criteria of inclusiveness, modern technologies in the field of lighting design of residential and medical premises. This made it possible to provide recommendations on the lighting design of various units and hospice rooms to overcome visual discomfort. Analysing the problems of daylighting and electric lighting will improve the architectural appearance of hospices. Involvement of the public for the development of hospice environment emphasizes the problem of responsibility of society and the state to dying people. A humane approach to the organization of hospice environment is necessary.