Project R-16095

WOmeN and cancer: a spatial DEsign approach for well-being in the Recovery journey. (WONDER) (Research)

Hospital architecture, like our everyday environments, is embedded with gendered norms that often go unnoticed. Yet, space is never neutral—it shapes experiences, access to care, and people's sense of dignity and comfort. Yet, despite growing awareness of how care environments affect patients' wellbeing, there is a clear need to strengthen research on Women's experiences in Healthcare. The diversity of Cancer Caring facilities that patients visit provides a particularly relevant context to explore gender-sensitive design approaches, as the experience of cancer and coping mechanisms vary significantly by gender. Building on existing feminist theories and the four pillars of Social Sustainability, this project has a twofold ambition: (i) to develop socially sustainable, gender-sensitive recommendations for future Cancer Caring facilities and (ii) to provide participatory tools that enrich architectural projects, ensuring their cultural and contextual relevance within the Belgian healthcare system. To achieve these goals, we adopt a mixed approach, incorporating qualitative, visual, and participatory methods. The research includes four case studies : Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre in Dundee (Scotland), along with in-depth analysis of three types of Belgian oncology care structures. By combining fundamental research with practical applications, this project aims to rethink care environments beyond mere functionality with real societal impact at the core of the research process.

01 November 2025 - 31 October 2029