All successful projects, regardless of delivery method, size, or scope, share one thing in common: partnering. Partnering is not a new concept, but is often overlooked in the delivery of a project. Whether partnering is a formal or informal process, it is an integral aspect of a project’s overall delivery.
We read more and more about the increasing desire for healthcare facilities to be sustainable and achieve LEED certification, although I recently read a statistic that a mere 2% of the USGBC LEED registered projects are healthcare buildings. The healthcare industry as a whole seems to be slow to respond to the sustainability movement, albeit understandably due to the high energy consumption and 24/7 operation of hospitals. I also understand that healthcare facilities may be employing sustainable practices simply without registering for LEED with the USGBC.
Thanks to Heather McCormick who sent along this article concerning the BIM (building information modeling) adoption rate. The piece takes a look at a a survey, that was recently completed by Building Design+Construction, of architecture, engineering, and construction companies, and their use of BIM in recent and new projects
I suggest you read the whole story, but a few highlights:
How important is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)? How important is being green and living a sustainable, environmental, eco-friendly lifestyle? How important is it to live a healthy lifestyle? The questions we want to ask ourselves are the tough questions. Do I care? Am I responsible? Can you hold me accountable? As a former designer turned healthcare furniture representative, as well as a caring mother of three and a citizen of the United States, it is my responsibility to care enough to recycle, reuse, and to be resourceful.
When designing or renovating a space, how often do you take into consideration future art programs? 64.71% - We always consider additions like art programs in our design 17.65% - We sometimes consider art programs when designing 17.65% - We never think about art...
A recent survey found that 41% of nurses would not want a loved one who is ill to receive treatment in the facility where they work. This sobering statistic is only one of many red flags being raised by caregivers in the United States. Fifty-four percent of nurses...
Lighting is integral to a successful interior design, used to highlight architectural features and create specific moods for a space. As lighting technology and energy-efficient choices continue to evolve, architects and designers have more choices than ever about...
We are seeing more and more applications of high-density block and lead plate in the construction of linear accelerator vaults in lieu of the traditional concrete walls and ceiling. There are a number of advantages to this approach: less depth of structure, greater ease of construction for additions and renovations, plus the opportunity for cost savings in a renovation application due to the minimized impact to add a new vault.
Many of our healthcare projects are on active, occupied hospital sites, and I've recently been reminded of how visible we are to the "sidewalk superintendents" in each community. I heard from a friend whose father had been hospitalized at the location of one of my projects, and she told me that the highlight of each day for him was to watch the construction going on outside his window. He was fascinated by the technical activity but also watched long enough to pick up on some of the human dynamics among the workers.
I’ve written a lot about retrofitting and remodeling existing facilities to maximize the space. Now I want to share with you some of the tips we give our clients about staying open while your facility is under construction. Have a Plan Before beginning your upgrade,...
Currently, 46 million Americans are without health insurance, while another 25 million have only partial coverage. President Obama's administration seeks to change that. With a vision of affordable healthcare for all, an industry that is already booming could...
With the growing presence of retail clinics, has your firm ever been approached to design one? 34.62% - Yes, and we jumped at the opportunity 0.00% - Yes, but we turned down the offer 50.00% - No, we've never been asked 15.38% - Our firm is not interested in retail...
