PITTSBURGH, Pa.– Astorino, one of Pittsburgh’s leading architectural and engineering firms, has recently completed the design of two Disease Prevention and Screening Centers in the United Arab Emirates.
In partnership with Peddle Thorp Architects, Astorino was retained by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), to plan and design two replacement DPSC centers; one in Khalifa City, and the other in the city of Mussafah.
As two of five DPSC centers run by SEHA in the Emirates, the centers provide physician, laboratory, radiology and vaccination services for all new expatriates who arrive in Abu Dhabi for employment to qualify in obtaining a residency visa. Both facilities under consideration were already experiencing large customer volumes (2000/day) and projecting their volumes to increase by 50-75% over the next few years.
Astorino’s challenge was to design the new facilities to achieve a more efficient customer rotation, while at the same time create an environment that offers a hospitable and secure welcome to those arriving in Abu Dhabi for the first time.
The firm employed various levels of research to inform the design of the centers, combining process improvement with experiential design research techniques. Astorino’s Healthcare Advisory team utilized Lean Process Improvement tools to produce a more efficient design, through the use of process-oriented observation and timing exercises.
By developing an understanding of the screening process flow of the centers, the team was able to make recommendations for improvement. Astorino also engaged the services of its user-centered research group, fathom, which conducted one-on-one, in-depth interviews with staff, physicians and customers to define the ideal sensory experience and determine how it can be manifested in physical space as well as through operational enhancements.
“We understand the significance of the impact that positive physical surroundings have on patients, visitors and healthcare staff,” said Tim Powers, Senior Vice President – Healthcare at Astorino. “Based on that insight, we’ve successfully created a holistic and healthy environment that also embraces innovation and progress.”
The primary objective for the centers was to transition from a place of disease prevention to one of welcome. The resulting design is respectful, dignified and elegant, while also being responsive to the sites’ climatic characteristics, ecosystems, geology, historic and cultural resources.
About Astorino
For nearly four decades, Astorino has been at the forefront of where people and design intersect. A full-service company, Astorino combines architectural, engineering, construction and interior design solutions with unprecedented human-centered research to provide one seamless delivery process. This internationally recognized firm leverages its creative foundation, interdisciplinary expertise and a strong collaborative approach to create environments inspired by how people live, learn, heal, work and play. For more information, please visit www.astorino.com.
