When I first started writing about this industry more than a decade ago, one of the first topics I learned about was the role of evidence-based design (EBD) in the healthcare sector. I was fascinated by the idea that facilities and care spaces, from lobbies and exam rooms to procedure and recovery spaces, could be more than aesthetically pleasing to users and staff but that their designs could influence a patient’s healing or a clinician’s efficiency within the workspace.
Today, EBD is an accepted tenet of healthcare design and a regular part of the discussion in the projects and trends we dive into in the pages of Healthcare Design magazine and on our website. Lately, another topic has been at the forefront of design discussions: the idea of how buildings impact overall health and well-being. Findings from the recent survey report, “State of Community Facility Design,” by Wold Architects & Engineers (Saint Paul, Minn.) in partnership with Wakefield Research, underscore the importance of this conversation, especially in the healthcare sector.
The study, conducted in 2024, looked at how Americans view the design of public spaces, including community buildings such as schools, civic spaces, and healthcare environments, and their influence on a person’s mental health, well-being, and overall quality of life. Participants included 1,000 U.S. adults spanning multiple generations and locations.
Among the takeaways, 86 percent of respondents said they believe that mental health and wellness should be central to the design of community buildings. Among younger generations, that sentiment was even stronger, with 91 percent of Gen Z and millennial respondents calling for greater mental health consideration in the design process. Additionally, survey participants said they’re likely to return to buildings that are designed with care and offer emotional and mental support, with 55 percent saying they’d travel at least 20 minutes farther to visit a community building they find appealing.
According to the Wold, these findings highlight two critical insights: That despite busy schedules, people are willing to go out of their way for a positive experience and, secondly, the essential role that community spaces play in providing vital services.
“If these spaces fail to create a welcoming environment, it could be the difference between being a helpful resource or becoming an obstacle when people need support the most,” the report states. (For more information, go to woldae.com/insights.)
This is particularly relevant in healthcare where barriers to care can have far-reaching effects. As more sectors look to connect the dots between design and health and well-being, the healthcare design sector has an opportunity to lead the way, bringing time-tested ideas and strategies to the forefront to create environments that better support all.
Anne DiNardo is editor-in-chief of Healthcare Design and can be reached at [email protected].
