Maternity *Live

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened awareness of childbirth experiences globally, leading to a notable increase in non-hospital births. Concerns about the safety of hospitals for mothers and infants have sparked a search for alternative spaces that offer comfort and security. This shift has created an opportunity to better address the needs of mothers during childbirth, as modern women seek more control over their birthing conditions while recognizing the importance of medical intervention when necessary.

However, the current hospital system, primarily designed for medical treatment, often overlooks the emotional and experiential aspects of childbirth. As of 2023, women continue to face compromises regarding their physical and emotional space during the birthing process.

This project investigates architectural planning strategies aimed at enhancing Israel’s medical system, with a dedicated focus on harmoniously integrating physical facilities for childbirth in hospitals with the vital emotional and experiential elements associated with the birthing process. The key question is: how can the existing medical system in Israel be improved to better align with the diverse needs required for a suitable birth environment?

To address this, the project proposes the introduction of dedicated birth centers that supplement existing hospital wards. These centers will offer a variety of birthing options and prioritize enhancing the emotional and social aspects of the birthing experience.

The project explores two complementary planning methods to create a comprehensive structure. First, a modular planning approach ensures consistent experiences across all birth centers while recognizing the varying medical and social requirements. This strategy guarantees a uniform and precise birthing experience for women throughout Israel. Second, a tailored planning method considers the unique characteristics of each selected site, including climate conditions, accessibility, and user needs, to design individualized birth centers.

Significant improvements in the birthing experience will require intervention at both the macro level of the national medical system and the micro level of the mother’s environment. By employing high-quality architectural planning and customization to suit each other’s needs, these birth centers can provide an innovative and superior birthing experience, setting a new standard in Israeli medicine.