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The Architecture of Madness and the Good of Paternalism

Mr. Sine is president of SafetyLogic Systems, 1000 Liberty Park, Unit 205, Austin, TX 78746 (e-mail: dsine{at}austin.rr.com).

From the era of the asylum to the present day, the architectural design of inpatient facilities has long been considered a contributing factor in the treatment of patients with mental and substance use disorders. The author examines the ethical basis for decisions about the design of psychiatric hospitals—architectural paternalism. The ethic of paternalism in the design of asylums and in contemporary thinking about psychiatric hospital design is described. The author argues that limitation of patients' autonomy and rights by the purpose-built architectural environment is legitimate and ethical.

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