['Coercive measures are widely applied in psychiatric hospitals as a last resort to prevent patients seriously harming themselves or others, with negative psychological and somatic consequences for those affected.', 'In a naturalistic observational study it was investigated whether relocation of the structural milieu of a psychiatric hospital to an architectonically improved new building influenced the application of coercive measures.', 'The frequency and duration of coercive measures (e.g. fixation, coercive medication and preventive restraints) were routinely documented and compared in the periods before and after the relocation.', 'After the relocation the utilization of coercive measures was significantly reduced by 48-84\u2009%.'] Does [ Architectural modernization of psychiatric hospitals influence the use of coercive measures ]?