A Conceptual Roadmap for Enhancing Spatial Satisfaction in Hospital Buildings through the Design of Indoor Public Spaces

The spatial design of indoor public spaces (IPS) within hospital environments has gained increasing attention due to its measurable influence on users’ psychological comfort and spatial satisfaction. Traditionally viewed as transition zones, IPS are now recognized as integral components of the healing environment. Despite this shift, these spaces continue to be underrepresented in both healthcare research and design practices. This study bridges a research gap over related studies considering spatial design to measurable user satisfaction indicators in IPS design. Spatial satisfaction, defined as users' perceived compatibility of the environment with their functional, psychological, and social needs, is a key measure for assessing the effectiveness of IPS design. It aims to develop a conceptual roadmap that explores the relationship between IPS spatial characteristics—such as accessibility, spatial orientation, environmental quality—and users’ behavior and satisfaction. A systematic bibliometric analysis was conducted using Biblioshiny and VOS viewer tools to identify key research trends and knowledge gaps. The study culminates in an integrative roadmap that translates these findings into spatial design strategies suitable for non-clinical areas of hospitals. The proposed roadmap offers valuable insights for healthcare designers and policymakers to improve user-centered environments and create supportive, accessible, and psychologically responsive IPS that enhance overall healthcare experience and promote faster recovery of patients.