Fi Churchman

Writes around:
Architecture, Medicine, Identity, Memory, Materials, Place, Photography

The Dying Line: A Synthesis of Architecture and Terminal Illness 

In 2014, the British government announced that one in three people will be diagnosed with a form of cancer. While not all cancers are fatal, it is clear that the hospice (as a place which is devoted to caring for the terminally ill) ought to be considered a significant building within our society; its presence should be properly integrated into the fabric of public life. Death is something that will affect all of us, and yet, we only think about it when it happens to those we know. The way we think about this subject is becoming increasingly important, as is our awareness of the kinds of care given to our ageing population. But how does one begin to design a space for the dying? And can a more empathetic architecture be achieved by taking into consideration the illness narratives of those who have been given a terminal diagnosis? This project is an attempt to inspire architects and healthcare professionals to rethink their approach to designing hospices for the terminally ill.

Albertopolis Companion