Book Description
Brunet Saunier: Phylum H: Architecture on Healthcare is a professional monograph dedicated to healthcare architecture, presenting the long-term research and design practice of the French architectural firm Brunet Saunier in the field of medical and health facilities. Structured around the conceptual framework of “Phylum H,” the book approaches healthcare architecture as an evolving building typology that responds to advances in medicine, shifts in social structures, and transformations in care models, while critically reexamining the role and responsibility of architecture within contemporary healthcare systems.
Through a series of representative case studies, the book offers an in-depth analysis of design strategies that balance high levels of technical complexity with human-centered considerations. The projects span hospitals, research facilities, and care institutions of varying scales and functions, illustrating approaches to spatial organization, circulation, modular systems, and adaptable building structures. Particular attention is given to the role of natural light, materiality, and environmental quality, emphasizing their impact on the psychological and physical well-being of patients, healthcare professionals, and visitors alike. In this context, healthcare architecture is presented not merely as an infrastructure for treatment, but as a critical environment that supports recovery and everyday clinical work.
Beyond documenting built projects, the book articulates forward-looking perspectives on the future of healthcare architecture, addressing challenges such as demographic change, technological integration, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through clear visual documentation, technical explanations, and a strong theoretical framework, Phylum H demonstrates how healthcare architecture can function as a highly adaptable and resilient system within rapidly changing care conditions. It serves as a valuable reference for architects, healthcare planners, and readers interested in the intersection of architecture, public health, and social responsibility.
Details
Author: Brunet Saunier, Matti Anttila, Jacques Lévy Bencheton
Publisher: Hatje Cantz
Year of Publication: 2020
Size: 29 × 20 cm
Binding: Softcover