Sarah Harvey CHID, CID, NCIDQ, EDAC, Associate, senior interior designer, FCA Architects (Philadelphia)
Utilizing research, advocacy, and professional development, Sarah Harvey is actively shaping the future of healthcare design interiors. Joining FCA as a senior interior designer in 2022, she was promoted to associate in December 2024.
In her design practice, Harvey navigates complex challenges and delivers innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of healthcare clients.
Specifically, over the past two years, she has played a pivotal role in FCA’s largest project to date: the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Bed Tower in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., an expansion and replacement project that’s expected to be completed in 2028. In her role, Harvey coordinated the flow of information between user groups and the design team, aligning patient and staff requests with healthcare needs and best practices, as well as proactively assisting with budget alignment, mock-up development, and philanthropy efforts.
Going beyond surface-level application of biophilic design principles, she also is focused on delivering healthcare environments that positively impact patients’ sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, influencing stress response, digestion, and blood pressure. For example, using the biophilic principle of “soft edges,” Harvey and the team capitalized on otherwise dead space around the column grid on the Geisinger bed tower to create niches with a variety of sitting environments, infusing the facility with respite spaces in the public and staff areas.
Her application of biophilic design also extends to behavioral health projects, including her recent work with on a behavioral health site for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she integrated sensory-rich elements, acoustic and lighting controls, air quality, color vibrancy, and texture to achieve holistic healing environments for both patients and staff.
Recognizing that unrealistic schedules often lead to budget constraints, compromised design solutions, and increased pressure on design teams, she advocates for allowing adequate time for creative problem-solving on projects. This effort fosters greater collaboration, improves design quality, and delivers healthcare spaces.
As a board member of the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers, she also participates in research and initiatives that shape industry standards and best practices. Furthermore, she serves as vice president of the Interior Design Legislation Coalition of Pennsylvania, where she’s been instrumental in raising the professional standards for interior designers in the state. Through her dedication to legislative change, she has helped ensure that healthcare spaces are designed by qualified professionals who prioritize public health and safety.
Furthermore, by understanding the human impact of design decisions, Harvey is helping deliver healthcare spaces that are not only functional but also advance patient well-being and brand identity.
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