INSIDE
by Jennifer Hayes
Just as where health care facilities
are locating today is changing, so
are the design and materials being
incorporated into their construc-
tion.
And it is this evolving retailization
of health care that is shaping facili-
ties of today and tomorrow.
“The landscape of health care is
diverse, specialized and ever chang-
ing,” said Rebecca Brennan, RID,
CID, CHID, EDAC, IIDA, principal,
of Design Studio Blue LLC. “Health
care is becoming more accessible
and becoming anchors in retail set-
tings. Health care is becoming very
competitive and providers are being
creative, savvy and responsive to
consumer needs to gain market
share.”
“Health care design is evolving
from traditional clinics with white
walls, floors and ceilings to more
familiar spaces that increase com-
fort and improve the patient experi-
ence,” Emily Sinclair, senior project
manager of IA Interior Architects'
Denver office, wrote in a recent
report on how patient-centered
design is changing the perception of
health care. Examples include clinic
rooms with iPod docking stations, a
fireplace at the foot of the bed and
digital message boards with the
patient’s name and information,
for example. Design details such as
these reinforce the patient-centered
care model and assist to alleviate
stress and anxiety to facilitate heal-
ing, she noted.
“Patients have choices today and
they want to go to a facility that
says ‘state of the art.’ This applies
to new build but also renovations
to accommodate new technologies
and equipment,” added Brandon
Bergholz, construction executive
and health care market sector lead-
er at Mortenson.
The changes in design are leading
to a more natural vs. clinical envi-
ronment.
Design features that provide
comfort to patients – coffee bars
in waiting rooms, charging outlets
designed into furniture – are being
incorporated, noted Brennan.
The use of more natural elements, including gardens as seen at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, help contribute to a more relaxed environment at health care properties.
