NATURE-ORIENTED ARCHITECTURAL AND PLANNING SOLUTIONS IN THE DESIGN OF REHABILITATION WARDS FOR THE RECOVERY OF MILITARY PERSONNEL

Abstract

Recent military conflicts affecting Ukraine and other global regions have highlighted the problem of medical and social
rehabilitation of servicemembers. A high incidence of wounds, polytrauma, amputations, and psycho-emotional disorders calls
for designing a new model of the therapeutic-rehabilitation environment. One of the key approaches is the implementation of
nature-oriented architectural, design, and planning solutions that combine the principles of biophilic architecture, sustainable
development, and evidence-based medicine.
Recent studies (WHO, 2023; Facility Guidelines Institute, 2024; International Health Facility Guidelines, 2024; Naturebased
rehabilitation studies, 2023–2025) show that natural light, visual and physical contact with green zones, access to
landscapes and water elements significantly increase recovery efficiency, reduce anxiety, stimulate physical activity, and
accelerate social reintegration.
The aim of this article is to substantiate architectural and planning principles for forming rehabilitation wards for military
personnel, taking into account international experience (USA, Israel, Germany, Scandinavia) and Ukrainian needs. The paper
analyses recent research, international standards, examines examples of completed facilities, and systematizes spatial
models. Main attention is paid to creating outdoor therapy routes, interior gardens and winter greenhouses, organizing
educational-domestic (ADL) spaces with natural lighting, using ecological materials and energy-efficient technologies.
The result is a synthesis of architectural and design solutions that integrate natural factors into the process of treatment
and recovery. This allows developing recommendations for the national building codes of Ukraine, as well as identifying
directions for further research in the field of “green rehabilitation.”