A Study on the Types and Characteristics of Ancient Medical Facilities

This study is to understand the architectural types and characteristics of the medical facilities during ancient period. The study is based on the research of the medical and architectural history. The medical or healthcare facilities are influenced by their social, cultural and conceptual idea, especially how they think about 'disease', 'cure' and the 'medicine'. As the results of the examination of this study can be summarized as followings. Firstly, Ancient medical facilities are classified into four types according to the ideas of 'disease' and 'cure' ; 1) God oriented facility 2) health welfare facility 3) treatment oriented facility 4) practice & educational facility. Secondly, there are three typical types of the spatial characteristics what modern hospitals have ; 1) nursing ward 2) treatment ward 3) hostel or hospice. And they are all assembled around the courtyard in common. Thirdly, their architectures are not 'designed' but 'derived' plan by reasonable other building types, and transformed by medical function. Fourthly, a consideration of the surrounding circumstances is the most important point to make the medical health facilities during ancient period.

고대 의료시설의 유형 및 특성에 관한 연구