Insights & Solutions

In this episode, Gina Chang, AIA, EDAC, Principal and Healthcare architect at CO Architects, answers the question, “What is the collaborative workplace in healthcare that we see coming out of healthcare and why is it so important right now?”  Gina shares, “For so long we’ve been focused on th

The Workshop 

As individuals age, physical, mental, and societal challenges become more prevalent. This intensive one-day virtual workshop explores those challenges and discusses programming and design interventions that can assist people (and caregivers). Expert faculty will present case studies and examples that integrate architecture, design and technology into living environments that are not only safe, but foster wellness and longevity.

In this episode, Roderic answers the question, "When thinking about the future, how can healthcare design and architecture professionals begin to change entrenched systems that are the source of some of these race-related problems?”

What is it like to work for the nation’s largest African American architecture firm?

E4H planned and designed the first inpatient bed expansion at Virginia Hospital Center since 2004. The multi-phased project will convert existing medical offices on floors 3 and 4 into state-of-the-art inpatient units, with private patient rooms that are 60% larger than other units and 30% larger than standard patient rooms.

Hospital for Special Surgery and United Surgical Partners International formed a joint partnership to create an orthopedic center of excellence in West Palm Beach, Florida. Adjacent to the Good Samaritan Hospital, the new center offers outpatient orthopedic care including diagnostic services, ambulatory surgery, rehabilitation, and sports performance programs, bringing the top quality care of HSS to communities in South Florida. The 4-level building features floor-to-ceiling windows to encourage natural light and views of the ocean. A 5-level parking garage adjacent to the Hospital offers convenient, direct access to the building.  

The project's mission was to solve the extensive inpatient needs of the campus, with the goal of increasing the number of single-rooms from 30% to 90% and updating the oldest rooms on the campus. The planning & conceptual design process involved heavy user group input including collaboration with the Facility Master Planning Steering Committee, Sustainability Council, Internal Departments, Design User Groups for nursing, support, and ancillary services, and Patients and Families Design User Group.  

Altro Tegulis is a hygienic wall panel solution with a chic, authentic tile look and feel. The custom-etched grout lines eliminate the need for scrubbing and repair issues common with traditional ceramic tile.

Wang, Z., & Pukszta, M. (2018). Private Rooms, Semi-Open Areas, or Open Areas for Chemotherapy Care: Perspectives of Cancer Patients, Families, and Nursing Staff. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal

In recent years, the design of spaces for chemotherapy treatment has shifted from private rooms and open-units in inpatient settings, to semi-open areas in outpatient care centers. Despite the shift towards ambulatory care, the majority of evidence-based design research in this area is still focused on the inpatient setting. This appears to be one of the first studies to look at what patients need and want during their treatment in ambulatory chemo treatment centers.