Twin Anatomy

Hospital of a Human Data Twin

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

S.C. Joshi Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

J.A. van de Voort Architectural Technology - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
O. Caso Building Knowledge - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
M.R. Grech Teachers of Practice / A - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
I.J.J. Cuperus Education and Student Affairs (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
More Info
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Published Date

02-07-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

Hospitals, as public buildings, establish connections with people in ways unparalleled by other structures. The architecture of a hospital directly influences its functionality, profoundly impacting the delicate balance between life and death. In today's information society, where the body is increasingly viewed as a collection of data for tracking health, the focus shifts decisively towards preserving life.

The focus of this graduation project is the development of a hospital tailored to a concept known as the ‘Human Data Twin.’ This project seeks to explore the effects of digitalization in healthcare, specifically examining how datasets and artificial intelligence (AI) influence the architectural design and functions of hospitals. The term ‘Human Data Twin’ refers to the unique concept of digitizing the human body with large datasets to create a human data twin (HDT) in cyberspace. This allows hospitals to conduct real-time simulations, optimizations, and evaluations, providing personalized diagnosis to empower individuals in making informed decisions, enhancing health performance, and extending life expectancy.

The transformative approach to healthcare through digitization has extensive implications, potentially necessitating the creation of new spaces within hospitals. Research indicates that the AI revolution in medicine introduces new dynamics to spatial relations in the diagnostic process, with AI likely to play a key role. The architectural design of hospitals needs reevaluation, presenting an opportunity to promote the health, physical activity, and mental well-being of society.

The project holds significant relevance in the current context, drawing inspiration from near-future predictions of technological advancements in healthcare. It envisions a transformation from generalized to personalized and precision medicine, facilitated by data science and technology. By doing so, the project aims to spark discussions around the imperative nature of collaborating with technologies like AI, which will drive changes in hospital functions, processes, and design. This discourse will also highlight the ethical challenges and considerations inherent in such advancements. Broadly, the project aspires to establish guidelines for designing hospitals of the digital future.