The use of visualisation tools in hospital real estate

The (re)construction of hospitals is a complicated process because of the wide range of activities by different users in these buildings. When real estate managers and designers team up with hospital stakeholders, it results in better project outcomes. This collaboration benefits from appropriate visualisation tools. Both physical mock-ups and virtual visualisation tools are no longer an exception in such projects with various stakeholders. Therefore, maximising the contribution of the visualisation tools becomes more critical. Currently, there is a limited knowledge on how visualisation tools are used best to involve the stakeholders within hospital (re)construction projects. This paper addresses the following research question: ‘How can visualisation tools contribute to the involvement of stakeholders in hospital (re)construction project?’ A systematic literature review and three hospital case studies, including 21 stakeholder interviews, have been conducted. The resulting findings are validated by an external expert panel. The findings show that visualisation tools support the involvement of hospital stakeholders by enforcing communication and improving stakeholders understanding. The visualisation tools positively impact: 1) gathering stakeholders design feedback; 2) forming compromises; 3) creating design support and enthusiasm. In general, visualisation tools have a positive effect on stakeholders' involvement; however, it depends on when in the design process and for what purpose the tools are used. Inadequate use of virtual visualisation tools can mislead stakeholders since virtual visualisations show design details that might not be decided yet. The physical mock-ups and virtual visualisation tools have different purposes and complimentary benefits in hospital (re)construction projects. Using the visualisation tools, depending on the to be served purpose, one should gradually show more realistic visualisations. A combination of visualisation tools has the highest impact when in early design phases, coarse physical mock-ups are used, and virtual visualisation tools reveal refinements at a later design phase.