SALUTOGENIC ARCHITECTURE, AGING, AND HEALTHCARE FACILITIES:

interfaces between accessibility, ergonomics, and neuroscience

Abstract

The demographic shift towards an aging population in Brazil necessitates the adaptation of healthcare environments to address the biopsychosocial needs of older adults. According to the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, by 2029, the population aged 60 and over will surpass the population aged 0 to 14, thereby intensifying the need to adapt these spaces. This study proposes practical applications of salutogenic architecture in healthcare environments by integrating gerontology, neuroscience, and architecture. An integrative literature review was conducted, selecting peer-reviewed scientific articles in English published between 2019 and 2025. Of the 1,492 studies initially identified, 12 met the eligibility criteria. The findings were systematized into three categories: (i) physical and ergonomic quality, involving usability, functionality, safety, and protection; (ii) sensory and cognitive quality, related to spatial orientation and comprehension as well as environmental factors such as lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort, and air quality; and (iii) social quality, emphasizing well-being and inclusion. The findings suggest that healthcare environments have the potential to play an active role in maintaining and restoring health. However, this potential can only be realized if these environments are guided by scientific evidence, symbolic relevance, and designed in accordance with the specificities of the regional context.