SmithGroupJJR’s Joyce Polhamus Elevated to Fellow of the AIA

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Joyce Polhamus, leader of SmithGroupJJR’s San Francisco Health Studio,has been elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows.  The recognition reflects her significant contributions to architecture and society and achievement of a standard of excellence in the profession. Polhamus was one of 147 new fellows recognized at an investiture ceremony at the 2015 National AIA Convention and Design Exposition held May 14-16 in Atlanta, Georgia.

In her role as leader of the firm’s Health Studio, Polhamus directs the planning and design process for projects of all sizes including new and renovated hospitals, outpatient clinics, wellness centers and senior living facilities. Among the studio’s current projects are two new hospitals for Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco: a 12-story, 730,000-square-foot hospital at the Van Ness and Geary campus and the new St. Luke’s Hospital, a 215-square-foot, 219-bed acute care facility at Caesar Chavez and Valencia streets. Both projects are under construction and scheduled for completion in 2019. Other projects include the Kaiser Permanente Dublin Medical Center Specialty Medical Office Building and Radiation/ Oncology Center, to be constructed in the Tri-Valley area of Alameda County, California.

Polhamus is an internationally recognized specialist in design for the aging, committed to providing quality design services for senior environments and solutions to support leading-edge programs and services for the aging. She has a significant senior living portfolio, and is affiliated with multiple organizations to improve assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care environments. She has been involved for nearly a decade with the American Institute of Architect’s Design for Aging Knowledge Community, serving as chairperson in 2012 and 2013.

Polhamus is a LEED accredited professional by the U.S. Green Building Council and received Evidence-Based Design accreditation and certification from The Center for Health Design. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.