The Breathing Room

Many patients experience tension when visiting the hospital, which has negative consequences for themselves and care providers. Breathing is one of the most effective ways to reduce this tension. Unfortunately, conversations with various psychologists, breathing experts and doctors showed that there is currently little attention for this.

My goal is to give respiration attention and make it more accessible as a way to reduce tension by having patients in the waiting room see, feel and hear a breathing rhythm. I designed a panel and a chair that move to the rhythm of a calm breathing and a sound fragment that enhances the experience. The shapes and colors are based on research into the healing environment. Patients can use the rhythm of the objects to adjust their breathing and find their own calmer rhythm. The design offers tranquility and a distracting activity during the waiting time.