Subject/Research problem Healthcare is in need of methods and sound research data to provide a better fit between supply and demand with regard to functionality, serviceability, architectural and perceptual qualities, technical aspects, economical issues and sustainability. This paper presents a research programme in progress of the Faculty of Architecture of the Delft University of Technology. This program aims at the improvement of healthcare real estate in terms of organizational performance and user satisfaction. The environmental aspects range from the urban setting of everyday life to the way buildings such as hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities promote or frustrate the medical procedures and people’s wellbeing as evaluated by the end users (employees, patients, visitors). In addition to the functional performance of buildings in terms of health outcomes, other aspects such as the impact of indoor and outdoor environment and corporate real estate strategies helping organizations to strengthen their portfolio's are studied as well. Research Questions What is the impact of different design concepts, design interventions, technological innovations and real estate management strategies on peoples’ health and wellbeing? And how can healthcare buildings being built and managed in a way to improve its present and future performance taking into account the different views and interests of various stakeholders? Approach The multi-method approach includes a review of literature; interviews and workshops with experts and end users; analyzing policy documents, long term accommodation plans and so on; field studies including analyses of best- practices and Post-Occupancy Evaluation; research by design i.e. designing new tools, design concepts, design solutions and real estate strategies; criteria selection, data gathering and knowledge modelling technology for performance based design; development of an ontology that specifies the relations among numerous aspects, and evaluation/validation through computational simulation and by field experts. Results Exploration and testing of present or new theories and development of concepts and tools in the field of design and management of healthcare facilities. Applications The research data and products will be applied in design and decision making processes in the field of care and cure.@en