Evidence of power expressed in architectural projects of the Hospital Santa Catarina (1974-2002)

Abstract

Hospital architecture is a disciplinary element that
contributes to the categorization, classification
and individualization of social actors that share
this space. This historical study analyzed the
authorship trajectory of the projects, flow of
people, things and information, in addition to
the disposition, naming and dimensions of the
compartments at the Hospital Santa Catarina.
We used the academic literature on the matter as
well as Michel Foucault’s theoretical framework
to interpret the results and understand the power
disputes of these social actors. Nursing, one of
the groups present in this space throughout the
analyzed period, oscillated between increasing
and decreasing control over the space. This occurs
because their control was assigned privately
at times, moved to areas where surveillance
and observation were more difficult, or their
previously confidential spaces started being
shared. This power dispute dynamics affected the
quality of care and the working conditions of the
evaluated health professionals