Design for an Agile World: Healthcare Environments

Design for an Agile World Healthcare Environments

Design for an Agile World

The world of healthcare is changing rapidly. More than ever, budgetary constraints are getting in the way of achieving organizational innovation goals. At the same time, transformation is highly dependent on the availability of a skilled workforce, which requires resources to recruit and maintain. Keeping up with the latest technologies advancing care can also be difficult and costly.

In order to remain competitive, healthcare institutions must be agile and adaptable, and their facilities need to reflect that. This can be difficult for institutions working with tighter budgets and increasing pressure. Doing more with less requires efficient and creative use of resources to best care for patients and staff alike.

Our Agile Design approach is a mindset for design that is all about meeting people's needs—especially the wide range of patient, provider, and staff needs.

Our healthcare clients are trying to do more with less. We offer more flexibility, removing the barriers to success and bringing more value for every dollar spent.

Hundreds of architectural projects over the last decade have taught us that when we remove the limits of creativity and prioritize our clients’ voices, we create dynamic, agile healthcare spaces that stand the test of time and lead to better outcomes for all.

Design for an Agile World

One of the guiding principles of our studio's philosophy is Agile Design. We gain a clear understanding of the needs of the people that are affected by a space, then provide multiple, flexible ways to meet those needs not only today, but for years down the road.

Our process yields a more efficient design, allowing you to do more with your limited resources.

An

agile

space is not just about openness; it's about choice.

An ecosystem of spaces brings choice and control into the equation.

A variety of choices within an environment provides people the tools they need to collaborate efficiently and focus on quality. A diverse ecosystem allows people to control information and stimulation, increasing satisfaction and communication.

Patients and clinicians require a combination of open and private spaces for both individual and collaborative work and caregiving. While open areas build community, bolster trust, and nurture creativity, areas with more privacy meet the fundamental needs for healthcare delivery.

physic a l FEEL BETTER! flexibility comfort nature wellbeing

mental THINK BETTER! focus learn collaborate

emotional BE HAPPIER! privacy teamwork connect

PRIVATE

Controlled stimuli, not deafening silence— think library, not waiting room

Controlled access of self to group, not a departure from the team— think invite-only, not hermit

innovate focus share meet

GROUP

Feeling part of a group, not the center of attention— think town square, not center-stage

OPEN

A healthy amount of stimuli, not sensory-overload— think cafe, not carnival

Putting People

First, By Design

For the past two decades…

Fortune 500 companies, leading public universities, and top construction managers have all relied on our passionate team of experts to design agile spaces throughout the Southeast. We have grown through the years because of our ability to listen, collaborate, and solve facility challenges with value-driven designs.

We consistently invest in technology and communication infrastructure that rivals what is associated with global design firms. Our systems empower our team to do big things with small project budgets from anywhere without sacrificing client service.

What is it like to work with us?

Working with Walker Architects, stakeholders feel confident and heard throughout the design process.

We understand your vision and needs and effectively communicate them to the team. Our commitment is to deliver successful design solutions that exceed expectations.

We act as your unwavering advocate, executing your vision and maintaining consensus through purposeful meetings. We prioritize prompt response, continuous updates, and exceptional support throughout the project.

Deliver Legendary Service

It's all about the experience. With every experience, do the little things, as well as the big things, that surprise people. Make every interaction stand out for its helpfulness.

Create the "WOW" factor that turns customers into ravings fans. This includes both internal and external customers.

The Walker Way

What makes Walker Architects different?

It's the way we work.

Our 26 core fundamental behaviors guide our approach to working with clients, partners, and each other.

Every team member receives a "Walker Way" card as a reminder of the values and professionalism we embody in our work. We reflect on our Fundamentals weekly as a team, sharing what they mean to us and how we apply the practices to our work.

By regularly teaching and practicing these Fundamentals, we have created a high-performance culture that consistently strives for excellence.

Project Experience in Healthcare

UF Student Healthcare Center

UF Health Family Medical Center at Haile Office Park

UF Health Proton Therapy Institute Gantry Expansion

UF Health Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases

Orthopedic Institute UF Health Clinic Renovations

UF Health Shands Main Street Reception Area Redesign

UF Health Shands Hospital Occupational Health Expansion

UF Health Shands Hospital Pediatric Dialysis Unit

UF Health Shands Hospital Dialysis Unit

UF Health Proton Therapy Institute Facility Build-Out

UF Health Shands North Tower MRI Modification

UF Health Shands Pediatric Congenital Heart Center Renovation

North Florida Regional Healthcare Administrative Suite Upgrades

UF Health Shands Ear Nose & Throat Exam Room Renovation

Orthopedic Institute UF Health

Fluoroscopy Suite Remodel

Shands Medical Plaza Eye Clinic Renovations

UF Medical Science Building

Ophthalmology Lab Renovation

Orthopedic Institute UF Health Administrative Suite Renovation

UF Health Shands Hospital Facility Administration Building

Pure Aesthetics Medical Spa

Alachua Family Eye Clinic

LifeSouth Renovations

Select Project Experience

University of Florida Student Healthcare Center

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The UF Student Health Care Center project will be a new 46,000-square-foot building prominently located in the athletic heart of campus along Stadium Road, west of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center and south of the future site of the new Football Training Center.

The facility is to be an iconic structure that propels the University of Florida's goal to help every student achieve an optimal level of health in the pursuit of personal and academic success. In addition to serving the health and wellness needs of the entire campus community, the facility will serve specialized needs of athletes in the sports neighborhood.

Planned to be the first WELL-certified facility on campus, this new facility captures a vision to create an environment that addresses health from a holistic, wellness perspective, that starts to create a culture of wellness that positively affects those who work in or visit the facility, as well as the campus as a whole.

The building is arranged to optimize the patient, provider, and staff experience. Additionally, room for future expansion, approximately 50% of the facility gross square feet, is being incorporated into the design. A variety of shared interior architectural elements will support the cross-disciplinary, collaborative culture at the heart of this project's vision.

PROJECT DATA

Construction Cost: $19M

Size: 46,400 gsf

Completion Date: 01/2023

OWNER CONTACT

Keith Humphreys, UF Planning Design & Construction

245 Gale Lemerand Suite 232, Gainesville, FL 32611 k.humphreys@ufl.edu (352) 273-4026

UF Health Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

When Walker Architects first met with the Norman Fixel Institute, they were bursting at the seams. It was high time for a new and timeless home that could accommodate current and future growth.

Agility saw us through twists and turns as this project grew from 14,000 to over 21,000 square feet. In the waiting area, sitting is purely optional. Family members, caretakers, and patients with greater mobility can walk right out onto a wide deck to chat, reflect, or listen to the birds and the wind.

The new space is divided into thirds, with dedicated areas for general exams, research and specialty exams, and physical therapy, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.

As the Fixel space turned into a people-filled place, we saw ripple effects that benefited staff as well as patients. In the words of Dr. Okun, “From the virtual design tour and thoughtful discussions with stakeholders to the careful attention they gave to every detail, the Walker team was terrific. They delivered a unique, interdisciplinary solution—all under one roof.”

PROJECT DATA

Construction Cost: $5.5M

Size: 21,440 gsf

Completion Date: 09/2019

OWNER CONTACT

Steve McElroy, Shands Teaching Hospital & Clinics Inc

1281 Newell Dr. Gainesville, FL 32601 mcells@shands.ufl.edu (352) 265-0088 ext. 4-058

Walker Architects enabled us to serve our patients in a truly best-inclass facility."

Dr. Michael Okun Director, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases

UF Health Shands Hospital Dialysis Unit

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

UF Health Shands Hospital places patients and communities at the heart of all they do. Our people-first approach at Walker Architects was a perfect fit for the renovation of an existing office suite into a state-of-the-art 17-bay inpatient dialysis suite.

For many patients, dialysis treatment is a lifeline, a process that filters their blood and restores it back into their bodies. This critical treatment, often lasting up to four hours and required three times a week, can be emotionally taxing. Recognizing this, our design prioritized well-being by giving patients direct access to natural daylight and scenic views to alleviate stress and create a soothing atmosphere.

Our design goals encompassed both the well-being of patients and the satisfaction of the staff. We aimed to provide a light and calm palette to reduce patient stress while giving the staff space to work and recharge.

Our collaboration with Shand’s Hospital involved meticulous adherence to building standards, construction details, hardware, and finishes. It was a complex, multifaceted effort with input and checkpoints to seamlessly integrate this renovated suite into the hospital’s systems, both functionally and aesthetically.

The new inpatient dialysis suite is a tranquil, functional, and efficient environment for both patients and staff. We are proud to have been a part of this transformative project, improving the lives and daily experience of those who rely on these vital services.

PROJECT DATA

Construction Cost: $6.2M

Size: 10,500 gsf

Completion Date: 08/2023

OWNER CONTACT

Du Meyer, Shands HealthCare / Facilities Development Dept

P.O. Box 100366, Gainesville, FL 32610 nguydt@shands.ufl.edu

“A doctor here almost cried when he saw the new dialysis unit— dialysis is one of the most unpleasant things someone can go through and now it’s so much better."

Kristina Heekin Shands HealthCare Facilities Development Department

Pure Aesthetics Medical Spa

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The owners of Pure Aesthetics needed to bring together two distinct businesses—a plastic surgery center and a medical spa—in one calming and modern spa-like experience. Working within the small site allotted for this project and coordinating between the two distinct user groups raised challenges. By listening closely to the clients and working with the construction manager from early on, Walker Architects proposed an elegant solution that met the budget constraints, increased efficiency, and granted the serenity the clients were looking for.

We met often with the clients to understand their vision for the mood and function of this design, and it was these discussions that drove design decisions. The recovery rooms and operation rooms were meticulously designed to eliminate downtime, allowing the user group to maximize the number of patients they could see daily.

The combination of wood and white brick gives this building's exterior the clean and modern feel the users were envisioning. On the interior, pastel colors and elegant, warm-toned details come together to give this space a tranquil atmosphere. The new space brings ease and comfort to those who work in it and leaves patients feeling relaxed, pampered, and eager for their next visit.

PROJECT DATA

Construction Cost: $2.7M

Size: 7,000 gsf

Completion Date: 03/2019

OWNER CONTACT

Carissa Blaser, owner Pure Aesthetics carissa@theblasers.com

UF Health Shands Hospital Pediatric Congenital Heart Center Renovation

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

As the highest ranked pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program in Florida, and among the nation’s best, the UF Health Congenital Heart Center has the most complex case mix of all Florida congenital heart programs, caring for some of the sickest children in the southeastern United States. Our team was brought in to renovate its new home in Shands Hospital to provide a calming and healing environment for these patients and their families.

The renovation was a complete transformation to the existing hospital space, from HVAC upgrades to new interior finishes. We worked closely with medical and facilities staff to make thoughtful decisions that would impact their work and ability to care for children for years to come.

Keeping patient care at the forefront, the design blends an efficient layout with an inviting yet calming aesthetic. Organic shapes, colors, and textures bring natural elements into the setting and reflect the surrounding springs, swamps, and rivers of the North Central Florida region.

PROJECT DATA

Construction Cost: $825,000

Size: 6,000 gsf

Completion Date: 08/2019

OWNER CONTACT

Du Meyer, Shands HealthCare / Facilities Development Dept

P.O. Box 100366, Gainesville, FL 32610 nguydt@shands.ufl.edu

UF Health Family Medical Center at Haile Village

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Partnering with UF Health, we designed a state-of-the-art family health center in Haile Plantation that provides essential healthcare services to the community. The 11,000 square-foot facility features a range of functional spaces, including offices, exam rooms, a nurses station, and a tenant build-out for advanced diagnostic equipment.

Central to our design approach was an unwavering emphasis on creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for patients. Warm and inviting finishes and lighting were incorporated throughout to instill a sense of ease and relaxation. Cost-effectiveness and sustainability also played a crucial role in the project, with a design philosophy that emphasized simplicity, elegance, and durability. Energy conservation measures, from the insulated concrete forms to a low E glass facade were integrated into the building to improve energy efficiency, while lowering the overall environmental impact of the new healthcare facility.

The UF Health Family Medicine facility showcases our dedication to creating efficient, resilient, and patient-centered healthcare spaces, positively impacting the community with vital healthcare close to home focused on sustainable building methods and materials.

PROJECT DATA

Construction Cost: $2.2M

Size: 10,990 gsf

Completion Date: 08/2015

OWNER CONTACT

Carol Bosshardt, Bosshardt Realty Services

5542 NW 43rd Street Gainesville, FL 32653 carol@bosshardtrealty.com (352) 371-6100

UF Health Proton Therapy Institute Gantry Expansion

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In 2015 the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute recognized a need to enhance their quality of services and offer the most comfortable experience possible for their patients. They came to us to design a two-story, 11,000-square-foot addition to house a fourth treatment gantry and accelerator, increasing treatment capacity by 25 percent and allowing them to treat more patients and target a wider variety of cancer types.

The vision for the center has always been to create a space that went beyond medical treatment to facilitate healing and wellness. The design of this expansion served to improve patient comfort by obscuring the gantries, creating a less visually intimidating environment for visitors.

The patient entrance to the gantry room is broad enough to accommodate stretchers, patients, staff, and faculty, as well as groups on educational tours. The entire treatment room features color-changing LED lighting and projected digital art that can be customized and changed to create an environment of compassion and healing in the midst of extreme technology and efficiency.

The expansion has greatly enhanced efficiency, patient and staff safety, and treatment accuracy, not to mention the clinical advantages gained by adding the advanced delivery technique of pencil beam scanning. The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute now has one of the most versatile proton therapy systems in the world, and the building supports and enhances its ability to deliver optimal treatment customized for each patient.

PROJECT DATA

Construction Cost: $9.8M

Size: 11,000 gsf

Completion Date: 02/2019

OWNER CONTACT

Stuart Klein, Proton Therapy Institute sklein@floridaproton.org

Walker Architects is a Just Label Organization, committed to diversity and inclusion.

Our retention and promotion strategies are focused on providing a culture and work environment where racially and ethnically diverse employees have the opportunity to be successful in their careers and to be represented at all levels of the organization, including senior leadership.