4 considerations to achieve ideal outcomes By: Marshall Scott Healthcare construction in 2026 is not defined by a singular trend but by the ever-increasing number of variables that must be proactively managed. Like a game of Jenga, the success of projects hinges on the balance of numerous building blocks, while strategically navigating challenges such as increased speed to market, lack of skilled labor, increased project complexity and evolving code and regulations. Through early engagement, workforce solutions and a detailed preconstruction effort, construction firms can guide healthcare systems through a towering list of considerations to achieve ideal outcomes. 1. Increased speed…
Author: Chris Schmidt
Hitting opening day with proactive coordination By: Daniel T. Mullins Healthcare organizations are under enormous pressure to modernize facilities and expand capacity, while staying competitive in a rapidly shifting marketplace. Many are grappling with aging buildings riddled with deferred maintenance, while others face new competitors moving into their region. At the same time, pandemic-era delays have pushed hospital capital planning off course, leaving leaders desperate to catch up. In these conditions, the schedule is no longer just a project management concern — it’s a business imperative. Opening day directly affects market share, revenue and patient loyalty. Yet, traditional design-first approaches…
How hospitality principles applied to healthcare settings reduce anxiety, support healing outcomes By: Galen Vassar In hospitality design, every element — from lighting and layout to the subtle signature scent — is meticulously crafted to enhance the guest experience. This attention to detail isn’t merely about luxury; it’s a strategic approach to creating environments that resonate emotionally with guests. Applying the same level of precision, hospitality design in healthcare can transform patient and family engagement where every interaction becomes intuitive and immersive to reduce anxiety, support healing and enhance the patient experience. When healthcare spaces feel intuitive and supportive rather…
Evolving needs, clinical realities are shaping next-generation care spaces By Barbara Stretchberry A few hours can change the rhythm of a hospital. Yet for years, the end of a patient’s stay often occurred in the inpatient room, one of the hospital’s most valuable resources. Patients who were medically ready to leave stayed put while waiting for transportation or final instructions, tying up beds long after their clinical needs had been met. The result wasn’t a design flaw but an operational one. At the 2024 Summer Leadership Summit, an FGI-led workshop brought this shared challenge into focus. Designers, clinicians and hospital…
The importance of early adoption, the human experience + empathy as strategy By Jen Worley When healthcare leaders sit down to envision a new clinical, ambulatory or tertiary care space, the first questions often sound practical and logical: What is the budget? What premium must we pay for specialized equipment? How soon can revenue-generating spaces come online? But focusing only on compliance, operations and cost efficiency can inadvertently push another crucial factor to the sidelines: interior design. Interior design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a strategic tool with direct implications for patient recovery, staff productivity and long-term organizational success. To…
Attainable goals to minimize environmental impact, improve wellness outcomes By: Jackie Mustakas There seems to be an unlimited number of articles, toolkits and resource guides promising an easier “how-to” experience for sustainable design and construction projects. Yet, it might be a recurring feeling that the strategies discussed in a recent case study just won’t pertain to your unique project. Similarly, it’s easy to get lost in complex embodied carbon calculations and lifecycle analysis recommendations. While these shared stories and informative measurements are necessary for meaningful advancement in sustainability, sorting through theory and long-term solutions can feel overwhelming. Without a measurable…
How site planning fortifies healthcare security By: John Iffrig and Jordan Wilkinson Landscape architecture plays a critical and often underappreciated role in enhancing site security for urban healthcare environments. Unlike overt security measures, landscape strategies can provide subtle, non-intrusive protection while maintaining a healing, welcoming atmosphere. Building program drives security design measures A healthcare building’s program is the main driver for what type of landscape security design measures are necessary. For example, a large hospital with multiple entrances, emergency department and inpatient facilities will require more consideration for crime prevention through environmental design. On the other hand, a smaller medical…
Navigating complexities of Level 1 trauma hospital infrastructure By: Kristi Vilminot Level 1 trauma hospitals deliver life-saving care to patients who require immediate, complex medical attention. Because these hospitals operate 24/7, their infrastructure, particularly power and mechanical systems, is crucially important. From the moment patients arrive, every second counts; maintaining the continuous flow of critical services is imperative. Even a small failure in any part of the system can result in significant harm. Ensuring this level of resiliency — without compromising patient care — presents hospital administrators and facilities managers with a complex challenge. The key to maintaining uninterrupted operations…
By Annabella Koloskov, Anthony Haas & Gus Blanco FGI guidelines provide standards and recommendations for the design of healthcare projects, including building codes, space planning, functional layouts and equipment requirements — all meant to ensure safe and efficient healthcare facilities. But what happens when the FGI guidelines don’t specifically address specialized environments a healthcare design team is charged with planning? Or if the code changes and becomes more stringent halfway through a project? Our team discovered the best ways to address these situations involve early and ongoing client communication; researching and, in some cases, embracing guidelines from other agencies and…
