“Reflections” is a new column featuring thoughts and commentary by former HEALTHCARE DESIGN Editor-in-Chief Richard L. Peck. Now aged 68 and semi-retired, I've gone through many “revolutions” in my lifetime. I have memories of writing news stories on manual...
Over the past several blogs, I’ve looked at a number of factors influencing healthcare design. Not surprisingly, technology has been an overriding force bringing greater healthcare options to more people. Yet as demographic changes and healthcare costs continue to...
Design concepts can do wonders for a project. A strong concept allows for complex teams within multiple offices to have a shared vision and goal for a project. When the architect, interior designer, and medical planner do not reside in the same office, the design...
Last week's HEALTHCARE DESIGN poll asked: When designing a “green” facility, what is one of the first things you address? 11.36% - Designing with local materials in mind 36.36% - Designing for Lean operations for greater efficiency 25.00% - Views to the...
Many hospitals in the Nordic regions use displacement ventilation systems in all inpatient rooms and treatment areas. A typical U.S. system introduces cold air in the ceiling, forces it down through a diffuser and removes it from the ceiling through an exhaust grille. The diffuser mixes the cold air to raise the average temperature and this has the unintentional effect of entraining contaminants and can result in increased germ and contaminant levels. The high air exchange rates in healthcare facilities also contribute to a “cold” feeling in patient rooms.
The Yawkey Center in Boston customizes waiting areas for specific patient populations while infusing the spaces with daylight, artwork, and comfortable furnishings.
Last week's HEALTHCARE DESIGN poll asked: In response to the AIA awarding its Young Architects Award, do you feel that young architects are drawn to the healthcare field? 0.00% - Yes, we see a lot of young architects 53.85% - Yes, the ones that have been introduced to...
“A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you refuse to take the turn.” Learning to accept challenges is a part of life, but how easily you accept them and integrate them into your life makes all the difference. This is especially true with healthcare...
Last week's HEALTHCARE DESIGN poll question asked: As outlined in a recent blog post, are you familiar with the concept of the medical home? 12.50% - Yes, my firm has been working on such facilities for years 37.50% - Yes, it’s recently come onto my firm's radar...
Consider this late night situation: an older surgical patient is trying to sleep when suddenly the darkness is thrown back and bright lights flood the room. A drowsy patient will immediately exhibit a startled reflexive reaction which triggers the eyes to spring open...
The healthcare industry is undergoing a technological transformation. Once lagging other industries, healthcare is now catching-up. As healthcare organizations upgrade existing facilities and build new ones, they are implementing advanced telecommunications...
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of sitting in on the Vendome webinar How the ICONS Have Fared: Mega-Hospitals with Major Dreams. In it, Donald McKahan, AIA, FACHA, Health Facility Planner, Architect and Founder, McKahan Planning Group; D. Kirk Hamilton, FAIA, FACHA,...
