The En’Light’en Project

Illness and incapacity confine us. As patients we spend our time in constructed spaces.  Once, taken-for-granted experiences become memories: the sound of the sea and the feeling of a salty sea breeze; the smell of freshly cut grass and sound of wind in the trees; light reflected on water; a spectacular sunrise; the view from the top of a hill; etc. As an inpatient, the opportunity to experience landscape and nature is limited and the ability to take oneself out of the clinic, hospice or hospital environment is often fraught with difficulties - hampered by practicalities and need for medical care. 

Environment has a direct impact on how we feel.  Research has demonstrated clear links between the visual landscape, patient recovery and general wellbeing. A view on to nature is known to have positive effects, reducing length of stay for hospital patients. For many, however, due to the design of hospital buildings, this is not an option. 

The En’Light’en Project explores how such spaces impact well-being and recovery and how they may be changed to positive effect.  Set up in 2013 by Dr Paul Chazot FBPhS, himself an intensive care survivor and Dr Laura Johnston, professional artist, researcher and ICU carer, their work is driven by the belief that hospital design should aim to create a restorative environment with the importance of beauty, air quality and connection to natural systems as paramount. 

Our ongoing En’Light’en  work with patients, visitors and staff will be presented in this Wolfson Academic Seminar.