HCD Guest Author

As the American Institute of Architects recently reported, the Architectural Billings Index–the leading economic indicator of construction activity–has now remained in positive territory for the fifth straight month.

After 25 years working as a healthcare architect, it doesn’t seem that long ago that a then-new generation of healthcare facilities was taking root. In the mid 1980s when I was starting my career, we and our clients set out to reshape the delivery model by providing facility designs for the new “health consumer.” This meant planning facilities tailored to patients and families supported by a new understanding of the mind-body connection.

It’s a given that the world will not standstill. As the saying goes, “time waits for no one”. Technology developments in almost all areas of life are progressing with what may seem like alarming alacrity but what may be, in fact, the normal pace of things.  Healthcare design and innovation is no exception.

I must admit that a giddy grin came over my face recently upon opening a package containing the updated version of one of my personal favorite books on the design of healthcare environments—Hospital and Healthcare Facility Design, Third Edition, by Richard L. Miller, FAIA; Earl S. Swensson, FAIA; and J. Todd Robinson, AIA, EDAC.

I’m sitting on my boat, albeit tied safely in the slip, thinking how to convert my new purchase of a 12-year-old Trawler powerboat into a modern cruising yacht that will safely carry me up and down the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway for years to come.

Seems the answer can be garnered from today’s healthcare construction basics. Make certain the structure, exterior, and mechanical/electrical systems are in good working condition and load it up with the newest technology.

On the surface, it would seem that keeping built healthcare facilities as environmentally friendly and healthy as possible would be a no-brainer; after all, if the first rule of medicine is to first, do no harm, the building itself should be free from harmful materials, and as “green” and sustainable as possible. Doesn’t it make sense that a building you visit to get healthy would itself be healthy?

Technology is a pervasive thread that runs through many of the innovative projects discussed this week here at TEDMED 2012 in Washington, D.C. Much as architects now use building information modeling (BIM) to envision how buildings and spaces will work, scientists and educators are using virtualization technologies to solve 3-D conceptual problems.

Among these is a project that takes the power of play to a whole new level.

Recently, HEALTHCARE DESIGN hosted a webinar event (IIDA Education Day) produced by our partner organizations, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and The Center for Health Design. One of the webinars titled “Flooring for Healthcare: An Evidence-Based Design Approach” and p

We've recently been having a great discussion over on our LinkedIn network, The HEALTHCARE DESIGN Connection (not a member?

The annual Environments for Aging (EFA) Conference, cosponsored by the publishers of Long-Term Living (LTL), Environments for Aging, and HEALTHCARE DESIGN (HCD), in conjunction with the

TEDMED 2012 is a very different sort of event from the typical industry conference. No hour-long presentations by someone who has solved a particularly tricky clinical or business case or shares a rich depth of knowledge, this event is a compilation of brilliant intellect, inquiring minds, accomplished people in diverse disciplines, and well-staged performance art. It’s fast-paced and planned to move attendees beyond their comfort zones.

April 8-14 marks the American Institute of Architects' National Architecture Week 2012, and the theme this year is "Design Connects," meant to highlight both the power of design and the positive role that architects play in our communities.