Abstract
In contemporary times, there is an increasing demand for a dedicated healthcare environment, all over the world. The main motivation for this demand is the level of awareness manifested by the users and reflected on their expectations. Therefore new research strategies and design actions are investigated in order to answer to the users' needs and to provide objective design tools for the specialist. This study continues a series of previous developments of the Healthcare Environment Color Index that should be used for public facilities in Korea and abroad. The cross-cultural approach is a new opportunity for exchanging know-how and for testing and calibrating the perception of the users on the color index. The gathering of results was made based on the online survey provided in this phase in English version for the Romanian users. The survey was intended as an objective mean of research and an efficient way of disseminating information on the subject thus contributing to increasing the level of awareness of the users. A total of 86 Romanian and 89 Koreans with valid answers took part in the survey. Comparative visualizations of the results showed significant similarities concerning the patterns of color preferences but also cultural and emotional differences. As a result both categories of users proved to be aware of the relation between healthcare environment color and its effects on health. They also showed a common understanding on the potential of the color index. As a result the most appealing colors to be applied to the healthcare environment were the series G and B, and the most effective ones were proved to be the ranges of high lightness and low saturation but also the medium high lightness and medium saturation. Both the similarities and the differences of choice between Romanians and Koreans show that cultural and emotional differences of color recognition are important and that should be taken into consideration in design, in order to generate an inclusive and efficient healthcare environment.