By Healthcare Facilities Today

Healthcare Design magazine's "Take Five" series asks healthcare design professionals about what’s got their attention. The magazine recently talked to Charles Griffin, a senior principal and studio leader at WHR Architects. In the article, Griffin shares his thoughts on Lean design, collaborating with industry organizations, and influencing the next generation of design and designers. His five key points are:

1. Mergers

While it makes solid business sense in response to cost-saving imperatives, it puts immense pressure on healthcare organizations to do more with less. Healthcare architects can help make every dollar count for clients by leveraging the growing body of research about process, spatial configuration, and materials to inform design decisions.

2. Mentoring

With demographic shifts that now have multiple generations in healthcare organizations and firms, there’s a very real need to transfer knowledge to younger practitioners. With several generations of architects coming on the heels of the baby boomers, they need only the opportunity, encouragement, and experience to carry on the leadership of our profession.

3. Collaboration

There’s a Japanese proverb that says, “None of us is as smart as all of us.” Working closely with members of the Academy of Architecture for Health and other knowledge communities in the American Institute for Architects, we have an exceptional opportunity to share our knowledge and experience. 

4. The front lines of wellness

Whether we’re designing a state-of-the-art hybrid OR, a more comfortable patient room, or a clinic in a grocery store, we’re on the front lines of a powerful movement toward wellness.

5. Innovation

There’s a huge need for innovation not just in the design of healthcare facilities but with process improvements. Collaborating with diverse, multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, we can be part of the necessary transformation of the healthcare delivery system. 

Read the article.