Reframing Healing Environments: Integrating Islamic Values into Hospital Design in Malaysia

Abstract

The discussion of healing environments has increasingly acknowledged the significance of the cultural and spiritual dimensions of healthcare architecture. Nevertheless, in the Malaysian context, the architectural implementation of Islamic values in hospital design is inadequately theorised and inconsistently executed. Existing Islamic Concept Hospitals (ICH) primarily focus on Shariah-compliant services and management, with minimal systematic integration of Islamic ethical precepts into spatial and environmental design techniques. This study fills this gap by recontextualising healing spaces through the integration of Islamic principles into hospital design. A qualitative multiple-case study methodology was employed to investigate five private and one government Islamic Concept Hospital in Malaysia. Data were collected through site inspections, semi-structured interviews with authorities, and document analysis. Thematic analysis utilising ATLAS.ti facilitated the identification and categorisation of recurring design motifs. The results identify eight interconnected design requirements, categorised as tangible (natural environment, spatial planning and accessibility, aesthetics, and maintenance) and intangible (professionalism, spiritual care, education, and user well-being). These criteria are fundamentally rooted in the Islamic virtues of rahmah (mercy) and ihsan (compassion) and are elucidated by the principles of Maqasid Shariah. This study proposes a value-centric design paradigm that systematically converts Islamic ethical principles into architectural strategies, moving beyond mere symbolic representation to achieve spatial, environmental, and operational harmony. The study helps to conceptualise culturally responsive healing environments in plural societies by bridging the gap between Islamic Built Environment theory and current healthcare design discourse. The proposed paradigm provides insights for architects, healthcare planners, and policymakers seeking to integrate spiritual values, patient-centered care, and sustainability into hospital design.