Arch4Health Lecture Series Schedule (Fall 2024)
Arch4Health Lecture Series with International Healthcare Experts W01 W02 W03 W04
19-AugMonday 21-AugWednesday
23-AugFridayIntro:Dr.RoxanaJafari
26-AugMonday 28-AugWednesday
30-AugFridayKeynote:WhitneyKFuesselHKSInc.,Dallas
2-SepMonday
4-SepWednesday 6-SepFridayDr.EllenTaylorVicePresidentforResearch|CenterforHealthDesign,U.S
9-SepMonday 11-SepWednesday
13-SepFridayRoundTable:DrXuemeiZhuand DrZhipengLu CenterforHealthSystems&Design|TAMU,U.S
W05
16-SepMonday 18-SepWednesday 20-SepFridayDr.AlanDilaniDesignHealthAcademy,Sweden 23-SepMonday 25-SepWednesday 27-SepFridayTinaNolanHDRInc.,U.S.
W07
W08
W09
W10
W11
W12
W13
W14 W06
30-SepMonday 2-OctWednesday
4-OctFridayAndyDrissellMahlumArchitectsandSnoqualmieValleyHealth,WA,U.S
7-OctMondayFallBreak
9-OctWednesday
11-OctFridayRoundtable:DrMarkBendenEnMed:EnvironmentalandOccupationalHealth|TAMU 14-OctMonday 16-OctWednesday 18-OctFridayDrMinouAfzaliSwissCenterforDesignandHealth,Switzerland 21-OctMonday 23-OctWednesday 25-OctFridayDrNoraColmanChildren'sHealthcareofAtlanta,Georgia,U.S. 28-OctMonday 30-OctWednesdayPre-Registration 1-NovFridayJoanAlbert,ZacHillyardPage,Houston/Dallas,U.S. 4-NovMonday 6-NovWednesday 8-NovFridayProfStefanoCapolongoPolitechnicodeMilano|Design&HealthLab,Italy 11-NovMonday 13-NovWednesday 15-NovFridayDrMajaKevdžijaTechnicalUniversityofVienna|DesignandHealth,Austria 18-NovMonday 20-NovWednesday 22-NovFridayLecturewrapup:TBD
Guest Speakers | Fall 2024
Keynote Speaker HKS Inc. | Dallas, U.S.
Whitney K. Fuessel
AIA, RID, ACHA, LEED AP, LSSYB Regional Practice Director, Health
30th August 2024
Presentation Title:
Shielding Caregivers: Innovative Approaches to Reducing Violence and Enhancing Safety in Healthcare Settings
Learning Objectives
This presentation revolved around the importance of caregivers’ safety and discussed different socio-environmental factors that affect reducing the risk of violence in healthcare settings for caregivers. The speaker highlighted the challenges caregivers face and introduced strategies for enhancing safety. Based on the virtual interview conducted by the presenter research team, factors including improving visibility, controlling access, and integrating technologydriven solutions were mentioned as the most practical, innovative, and important approaches for improving safety in healthcare settings. Learning outcomes that the participant can expect to garner from the course include:
1. Understand the existing trends around safety and security in healthcare settings
2. Articulate the impact of security hazards on healthcare workers’ physical safety, mental health, and overall job satisfaction.
3. Learn from exemplar projects and case studies that illustrate how recent industry disruptors and design trends have been addressed.
4. Gain insights into successful design interventions at various levels—site, building, unit, and room—to reduce the risk of violence and improve overall safety for health-
Guest Speaker Center for Health Design | CA, U.S.
Ellen Taylor PhD, AIA, MBA, EDAC Vice President for Research
6th September 2024
Presentation Title:
Invention, Inquiry, or innovation for safety in Healthcare Design
Learning Objectives
Evidence-based design in healthcare settings has a positive impact on the health, safety, and/or welfare of the occupants of the designed building through proactive consideration of safety through a participatory process, which correlates to a lower risk of preventable harm, injuries, or mortalities. After attending this lecture participants will be able to:
1. Define the differences and relationships between invention, innovation, and inquiry in designing healthcare settings for safety.
2. Describe the use of evidence-based design (EBD) to proactively design for safety-related outcomes including reduced harm and injury.
3. Explain how participatory processes can optimize safety innovations in healthcare design by co-creating solutions rooted in the users’ own experience.
4. Summarize how sources of innovation have led to specific designs for safety and improved outcomes in healthcare settings (e.g. infection control, self-harm, reduced anxiety).
Guest Speakers Texas A&M University
1 2 13rd September 2024
Xuemei Zhu Ph.D., B.Arch Professor of Architecture
Zhipeng Lu PhD, LEED AP BD+C
Assistant
Professor
of
Architecture
Presentation Title:
Design for Safety: Perspectives from Hospitals and Long-Term Care Design
Learning Objective
An overview of safety concerns in long-term care facilities was provided, and more specifically, the prevention of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), agitated patients, and medical errors was discussed. The lecture highlighted the critical role of design in improving safety and outcomes through strategies like single-patient rooms, private toilets, accessible hand hygiene stations, and well-planned layouts that reduce staff fatigue. At the end of this session, the audience will be able to :
1. Identify the typical safety concerns in hospital and long-term care settings.
2. Understand the direct and indirect pathways for hospitpal design to affect safety outcomes in hospitals.
3. Identify design strategies in long-term care settings that can help improve safety outcomes.
4. Understand the complex system of multi-level factors that affect safety in healthcare.
Guest Speaker C International Academy for Design & Health | Stockholm, Sweden
Alan Dilani Ph.D. Professor, Architect/Public Health
20th September 2024
Presentation Title:
Salutogenic Design for Health Promotion - Theory and Application
Learning Objectives
The Salutogenesis model of health was introduced as an approach that focuses on reducing stress and enhancing the “sense of coherence,” which has three main factors: comprehensibility (ease of understanding and navigating spaces), manageability (functionality and accessibility), and meaningfulness (providing purpose and engagement). The real-world applications of these principles, such as biophilic and restorative design elements, were introduced. Learning outcomes that the participant can expect to garner from the course include:
1. Understand the shift from pathogenesis models of health to Salutogenesis, emphasizing a preventive and proactive framework for health promotion rather than solely mitigating risks.
2. Explore the principles of designing for Sense of Coherence (SOC), focusing on creating healthcare environments with clear wayfinding, ergonomic and restorative features, and meaningful spaces that reduce stress and enhance health outcomes.
3. Identify the importance of incorporating biophilic and restorative elements—such as green spaces, natural light, music, and art—in fostering mental and emotional wellbeing within healthcare settings.
4. Learn how Salutogenic design provides a structural framework that addresses environmental and cultural needs across various scales, supporting cost-effective healthcare design while enhancing physical and psychological health and productivity.
Guest Speaker HDR Inc. | Dallas, U.S.
Tina Nolan ACHA, NCARB Senior Health Planner | Professional Associate
27th September 2024
Presentation Title: Processes and Trends for Safer Health Facilities
Learning Objectives
The integration of robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) was highlighted as technologies that enhance patient care and optimize operations while posing unique design challenges. Case studies such as the Henry Ford Hospital demonstrated the impact of automated systems on space planning, including wider corridors, dedicated elevators, and robot charging stations. Additionally, the importance of balancing technological advancements with human-centered design, while ensuring healthcare spaces remain empathetic and functional, was highlighted during the lecture. Learning outcomes that the participant can expect to garner from the course include:
1. Identify the categories for safety in health facilities to understand the broad impact of design on the safety of its users.
2. Understand new trends and capabilities that aid in building a safer environment.
3. Learn about discovery and prioritization of features that have greatest impact on the environment and the outcomes for the occupants of our healthcare facilities.
4. Design processes for test-driving operations to create protective environments.
Speaker Texas A&M University | Lecture Series Coordinator
Roxana Jafari Ph.D., EDAC Assistant Professor of Architecture
4th October 2024
Presentation Title:
Rethinking the Design of Mental and Behavior Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) through Integrating Physical Mock-Up Simulations and Artificial Intelligence
Learning Objectives
The methodological aspects of the research for designing the Mental and Behavioral Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU) were elaborated, with a focus on combining physical mock-up simulations and generative AI to evaluate and enhance design features like lighting, furniture layout, and safety measures. Key findings emphasized the importance of balancing safety with patient autonomy. This presentation also highlighted evidence-based design as a critical design approach to optimizing CSU environments for safety and therapeutic effectiveness. Learning outcomes that the participant can expect to garner from the course include:
1. Apply scenario-based simulations and full-scale mock-ups to evaluate and refine healthcare design in real-time, providing actionable insights into patient and staff workflows.
2. Learn how to obtain end-user feedback through scenario-based simulations in fullscale physical mockups to optimize environments for patients.
3. Analyze how AI tools can be used to enhance environmental design features, such as lighting and color, while understanding the current limitations of technology in healthcare design contexts.
4. Recognize the importance of engaging clinicians, designers, and behavioral health experts in the design process to address diverse needs and perspectives for creating effective healthcare settings.
Guest Speaker Texas A&M University
Mark E. Benden CPE, PhD Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health - Department Head
11th October 2024
Presentation Title:
Activity Permissive Office Work Environments
Learning Objectives
Risks associated with prolonged sitting, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and reduced cognitive function were highlighted. Also, innovative solutions such as standing desks, walking meetings, and technology-based interventions like wearables and smart software to promote movement and monitor health metrics were explored during the presentation. Learning outcomes that the participant can expect to garner from the course include:
1. Identify the advantages of active workstations, including their impact on productivity, cognitive functioning, metabolism, and BMI improvement.
2. Analyze the challenges associated with implementing and integrating active workstations into office environments.
3. Evaluate strategies and requirements for optimizing the use of active workstations to reduce sedentary behavior and improve job satisfaction.
4. Understand how activity-permissive office environments contribute to health and wellness by promoting physical activity and enhancing overall workplace satisfaction.
Guest Speaker Swiss Center for Design and Health | Bern, Switzerlan
Minou Afzali PhD Head of Research
18th October 2024
Presentation Title:
Human-centered Healthcare Design: Involving Users through Prototyping and Testing
Learning Objectives
The lecture highlighted human-centered and evidence-based approaches to improve workflows, spatial designs, and user experiences in healthcare environments. Through interactive simulations and 1:1 scale mock-ups, the presentation demonstrated how early stakeholder involvement helps identify design errors and optimize healthcare spaces. Key examples included integrating remote care technologies and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to align healthcare spaces with real-world needs. Learning outcomes that the participant can expect to garner from the course include:
1. The participants will learn how users can be involved in the design process through prototyping, testing and simulation
2. The examples show how simulations of care and work processes can help to improve the safety and wellbeing of healthcare users and providers
3. The examples show how simulations can be used to envision future models of care and to evaluate their impact on healthcare users and providers
Guest Speaker Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta | Atlanta, U.S.
Nora Colman M.D.
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician
25th October 2024
Presentation Title:
Safe by Design: Patient Safety, Human Factors and Operational Excellence in Healthcare
Learning Objectives
By addressing system complexity, reducing reliance on human behavior, and designing spaces that adapt to varying clinical needs patient safety can be improved. Using methodologies like Six Sigma and the Swiss Cheese Model, Dr. Colman highlighted strategies for identifying risks and creating resilient systems. The use of simulation-based design was presented as an essential tool for uncovering gaps between intended and actual workflows, ensuring spaces meet the dynamic needs of clinicians and patients. Learning outcomes that the participant can expect to garner from the course include:
1. Learn how to use simulations as a tool to identify design flaws, optimize workflows, and align design intent with real-world application in healthcare environments
2. Learn to design spaces that minimize reliance on human behavior by anticipating workarounds and prioritizing safety through thoughtful, proactive design strategies
3. Apply principles of standardized protocols, visibility, and ergonomic design to enhance safety and operational efficiency in healthcare settings.
4. Analyze challenges in integrating robotics and advanced technologies into healthcare spaces, focusing on designing infrastructure that ensures seamless functionality while
Guest Speakers
Joan Albert Principal and Regional Healthcare Director
Zac A. Hillyard Principal
Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. Austin, U.S.
Presentation Title:
Revolutionizing Patient Care: Implementing Innovation Technology in the Hospital of the Future
Learning Objectives
This presentation focused on integration of advanced technologies into healthcare design, using Houston Methodist Cypress as a case study. Designing adaptable, technology-driven environments to improve patient care, staff efficiency, and operational flexibility were emphasized during the presentation. Key innovations included self-check-in kiosks, robotic kitchens (Robo Eatz), smart lockers (Minnow Pods), and ambient intelligence systems for monitoring and workflow optimization. Participants are expected to garner the following learning outcomes from the lecture:
1. Recognize the value of engaging diverse stakeholders and utilizing tools such as mock-ups and virtual site capture to refine healthcare design and address technological challenges effectively.
2. Develop flexible and scalable design frameworks that accommodate rapidly evolving technologies and operational requirements in healthcare environments
3. Explore strategies for integrating AI-driven systems, robotic solutions, and autonomous delivery technologies while prioritizing patient safety and enhancing the overall user experience.
4. Understand how innovations like ambient intelligence and automated systems can
Guest Speaker
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Prof. Stefano Capolongo Head of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Departmen
8th November 2024
Presentation Title:
Next Generation Hospital: A European Perspective
Learning Objectives
This presentation focused on new approaches for hospital design and more specifically factors like flexibility, resilience, and sustainability based on the evolving healthcare demands, particularly after COVID-19. The lecture highlighted strategies such as modular designs, single-patient rooms, healing green spaces, and digitalization to address modern healthcare challenges. Participants are expected to garner the following learning outcomes from the lecture:
1. Next Generation Hospitals requirements and main elements to be considered and integrated into the design project for new hospitals.
2. Participants are expected to delve deeply into the relationship between the next generation hospital and the enhancement of occupant welfare and overall health outcomes. By integrating evidence-based design principles and approach in healthcare design, the designer has the social responsibility of addressing people needs.
3. Participants are expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of the historical evolution of the “hospital of the future” concept, tracing its progression and the underlying drivers of change over time.
4. Participants are expected to learn about flexibility and modularity in contemporary healthcare design, analyzing how these principles contribute to adaptable, resilient spaces that can meet evolving healthcare needs.
Guest Speaker Technical University of Vienna
Maja Kevdžija
Vienna, Austria
Assistant Professor in Design and Health
15th November 2024
Presentation Title:
Stroke and the Built Environment: Supporting and Promoting Patient’s Activity during Rehabilitation
Learning Objectives
A phased neurorehabilitation model was introduced as the transitioning from hospital to rehabilitation centers and outpatient care. Also, the importance of addressing wayfinding, corridor dimensions, and communal spaces to support recovery were highlighted during the presentation. Case studies illustrated how built environments can either facilitate or hinder patient progress. The presenter focused on the need for adaptable, patient-centered designs to meet rehabilitation goals. Participants are expected to garner the following learning outcomes from the lecture:
1. Learn about the importance of activity during rehabilitation following a stroke, as well as the safety considerations associated with patients’ independent activity.
2. Gain insight into how stroke patients use and interact with the built environment during their inpatient rehabilitation, what mobility barriers they encounter, and what kind of spaces they prefer.
3. Identify current challenges in the design od rehabilitation centers for neurological conditions.
4. Learn about design strategies that support and promote the mobility and activities of stroke patients in rehabilitation centres.
Ronald L. Skaggs, FAIA
Chairman Emeritus
NAC Member since 2012
Joseph G.Sprague, FAIA, FACHA, FHFI
Friday, March 01, 2024
HKS Inc. | Dallas, U.S.
Principal and Senior Vice President
HKS Inc. | Dallas, U.S.
Langford C, Room 105
Participating Architecture Firms, Universities, and Centers
Keynote Talk: 12:40 pm - 1:30 pm
Design Psychologist | Keynote Speaker | AuDHD | Co-Director, Human Experience LabCo-Director, Human Experience Lab Perkins&Will
Lecture Series | Fall 2024
Department of Architecture
Dr.
Roxana Jafari
| Department of Architecture
Texas A&M University | College Station Campus
