Valuing the Human Element in Facility Design

Many of our clients have used their facility to brand a product. Whether it’s a Tuscany Villa in Osh Kosh, an Adirondack Hunting Lodge in Augusta, or a Lighthouse in Cincinnati, branding a building can have quite an effect. First of all, it gets potential patients to notice you and secondly it acts as a great landmark when giving those patients directions to their facility.

We are also seeing more water features creeping into our clients’ facilities. The relaxing flow of water, both acoustically and visually, can help pass time in a stress-free environment. Popular in waiting rooms and step-down lounges, they are a lot less maintenance than fish tanks but are just as soothing.

The Planetree organization has long been the industry leader in the research and development of patient-centered care techniques for healthcare facilities. It advocates the use or domestic aesthetics, art and warm home-like, non-institutional designs that value humans and not just technology. Our clients treat their patients, their guests and themselves to natural brick, tile and wood textures as well as abundant amounts of natural light throughout the interior of their facility.

John A. Marasco, AIA, NCARB, is principal at Marasco & Associates, Healthcare Architects & Consultants based in Denver. He can be reached at john@marasco-associates.com.