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Page 18 — Health Care Properties Quarterly — April 2017
Design
I n a health care environment,
art can do plenty more than
fill a blank space on a wall. A
successful art program will
provide positive distractions,
enhance the design theme and aid
in wayfinding. Two of our firm’s
recently completed health care
projects received overwhelming
praise due to their well-coordinated
art programs. Here are three tips on
how art can tell a story with a fai-
rytale ending.
First, appropriate art selection
for health care is crucial. Artwork
selected for a patient setting must
decrease anxiety and anger while
alleviating boredom. Crisp and clear
landscape photography can transport
the viewer to a peaceful place or to a
positive memory. In Colorado, we are
blessed to be surrounded by majestic
mountains with expansive views and
amazing sunsets. Utilizing a combi-
nation of macro and micro landscape
and nature images are a nice balance.
Viewers can become lost in thought
gazing at a mountain lake at sun-
set or filled with curiosity over an
enlarged image of a rain drop trick-
ling down a reed of grass. Stay clear
of animals, blurry or busy abstract
images as they may instill anxiety or
confusion.
Two other factors for a successful
art program include a strong theme
and wayfinding attributes. Art can
be the voice of a project that speaks
in a dialect that all can understand.
Art can speak volumes by pulling
together all elements of a design
theme and passively guide a visitor
to their destination.
For the new Emer-
gency Department
at St. Joseph’s/Can-
dler Health System
in Savannah, Geor-
gia, the theme was
subtle Savannah.
We wanted to rep-
resent the historic
city in an unusual
way, with imagery
and vantage points
not typically viewed
or experienced.
Every photograph
and art piece is a
focus on something
of quality such as a unique perspec-
tive, sense of light, texture or color.
In the waiting room, we highlighted
the downtown skyline from historic
rooftops and atop bridges and then
led the patient along their journey to
triage with photography of decorative
ironwork found on gates and fences.
Within the exam spaces, images
of statues throughout downtown
Savannah were hung, providing com-
fort and distraction to patients.
Similarly, at the new Henderson
Hospital in Henderson, Nevada, the
art is uniquely themed to each floor
by subject matter and color. The
second floor is themed earthly trea-
sures, with a focus on the blues and
browns of desert landscapes. The
third floor theme is luminous skies,
with imagery of the expansive can-
yons and endless sunsets in shades
of rust and salmon. The fourth floor
is themed desert blooms, with fresh,
green succulent desert cactus. Again,
we repeated and reinforced a theme
with consistent imagery and color to
guide patients, families and staff to
their destination.
A photograph hung in a corridor
doesn’t independently create a pleas-
ant experience. It doesn’t reinforce a
corporate image, nor, tell the viewer
which way to turn. However, with
early planning, a strong theme and
appropriately selected artwork, a
happy ending can develop with your
next design project.s
Your trusted healthcare
real estate advisor.
Colliers International is committed to accelerating the success of our
healthcare clients by demonstrating a deep understanding of factors which
underpin profitable healthcare businesses. Focused on healthcare related
real estate, Colliers Healthcare Advisors have the expertise and knowledge
essential to providing forward-thinking solutions to any challenging
healthcare related real estate decision where success is measured in high-
quality care delivered in a cost effective way.
To discuss your Healthcare Services needs, please contact:
CHRIS WILEY
+1 303 283 4588
ABBY VOLLMER
+1 303 283 4579
COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL
4643 S. Ulster Street | Suite 1000 | Denver, CO
+1 303 745 5800
CHRIS HOFFMEISTER
+1 303 283 1375
PASSION. KNOWLEDGE. RESULTS.
Rebecca
Brennan, RID,
CID, CHID, EDAC,
IIDA
Principal, Design
Studio Blue LLC,
Greenwood Village
An image of the St. Joseph’s/Candler outpatient waiting room with artwork featuring the
Savannah Bridge.