Toward Restorative Hospital Environment: Nature and Art in Finnish Hospitals.

This study examines how Finnish public hospitals integrate nature and art to create restorative hospital environments, based on interviews with 15 stakeholders including hospital executives, workers, designers, artists, and architects involved in six recent hospital construction projects. Key themes identified include the creation of a desired atmosphere that is calming and home-like, the use of nature and multisensory experiences through natural materials, views, and interactive art, the facilitation of social support via user-oriented design, and fostering a sense of connection and belonging through place-related art and design. While nature-inspired art and direct natural elements are valued for enhancing well-being, challenges such as hygiene, maintenance, budget constraints, and cultural inclusivity remain. The study highlights the potential of combining nature and art thoughtfully to support healing and suggests further research on patient perspectives, multicultural relevance, and sustainable design in hospital environments.