The report, commissioned by Crown Workspace, an expert in everything from office removal to workspace refresh, and full refurbishment, reveals a growing disconnect between the design of today’s offices and the evolving needs of their occupants.

Office attendance: preference vs reality

A staggering 91% of employees say they would return to the office more often if the space better supported their needs, highlighting a clear opportunity for businesses to reimagine their work environments. Yet there’s a noticeable disconnect between attendance and employee preferences: while 59% currently work in the office full-time, only 41% say they actually prefer to. Nearly half (47%) favor a hybrid model, reflecting the growing demand for greater flexibility.

Despite this shift, the office still holds value. A full 45% of employees report feeling more productive in the office compared to just 25% at home.

How environment and design are impacting productivity

Open-plan office spaces may have once been seen as a solution for collaboration, but the reality is they often fall short, especially when it comes to supporting creativity and productivity. Three quarters (75%) of employees say that the furniture, layout and flexibility of their office space have a significant impact on their well-being and performance, yet fewer than one in four (24%) feel their current setup actually supports those outcomes. The message is clear: employees want spaces that work with, not against, how they focus and create.

Quiet zones and personalized workspace are high on the wish-list — 67% say access to quiet areas is essential, while 77% value having a dedicated workspace. A further 70% believe having a designated desk with a personalized setup (rather than hot-desking) is critical to a positive office experience. For businesses looking to boost productivity, creativity and a meaningful return to the office, designing workspaces that prioritize focus, ownership, and comfort is essential.

While the survey shows collaborative, open spaces can be positive for offices, it also suggests companies and organizations have neglected the role of quiet spaces for some time.

The role of technology

Employees may be less productive at home simply because they don’t have access to the same equipment they use in the office. Notably, more than a third of employees (36%) only have access to a second monitor at work, highlighting the workplace’s advantage in providing specialized tech resources. Similarly, 40% of employees say they only have access to a printer in the office, compared to just 5% who have access to one exclusively at home — further reinforcing the gap in essential tools between remote and in-office setups.

Other tools, such as industry-specific equipment, are also largely office-based — 58% of employees report having access to these only in the office, compared to just 4% who have access to them exclusively at home.

The future — flexible, focused, and fit for purpose

Looking ahead, 76% of facilities managers say they expect to create more interactive and engaging office environments within the next three years. Many are also evolving how they use space — storing desk equipment, furniture, and safety supplies off-site to make room for new layouts that better suit hybrid and collaborative workstyles.

Interestingly, 48% of facilities managers expect to downsize their office during the same period. This trend may be driven by evolving workplace dynamics in the wake of the pandemic. As Phil Oram, UKI regional director at Crown Workspace, explains:

Since the pandemic, the physical space that an office occupies has come under greater scrutiny. With fewer people in the office, it’s more important than ever to design Workspace around the needs of the workforce. At the same time, organizations must plan for a more sustainable future, aligning with global sustainability goals. As offices downsize, equipment doesn’t need to be discarded — there are real opportunities to upcycle and recycle, giving these items a second life.

The verdict? Reimagine or retire the open office

Commenting on the findings from the report, Oram continued:

Our research shows that the modern workforce wants more from their office environments. Employees are looking for spaces that support both wellbeing and performance. Despite decades of popularity, the fully open office consistently falls short—failing to provide the quiet and personalized spaces people need to thrive. The future of the successful office will need to be flexible, functional, and above all, designed with people in mind. It’s time for employers to rethink their approach and take decisive steps to create Workspace that truly support their people—because when employees thrive, businesses do too.

The report, Is It Time to Kill the Open Office, for Good? (PDF), is available from Crown Workspace.

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Each session is 60 minutes. Sessions are approved for 1 CEU for Designers and 1 LU for Architects. Certificates are available post session after completing a 10-question quiz.

Commercial facility management, real estate and design topics are addressed in these NeoCon on-site sessions in the tracks for Workplace/Sustainability/Industry Directions:

Good Leads the Way: United Airlines Headquarters Decarbonization Journey: The renovation and restack of 13 floors at the United Airlines headquarters in Chicago created a hybrid workplace infused with a dynamic energy that reinforces employee pride. This space brings together staff through shared experiences connected to United’s brand story: an airline where Good Leads the Way.

Wellness Real Estate: Supercharging Transformation & Growth: Wellness is emerging as a critical catalyst for growth. This on-site CEU will explore how design that intentionally supports the holistic health of users elevates individual and community well-being and unlocks significant market opportunities. Drawing from Gensler’s research, the session will define and survey a $580 billion U.S. Wellness Real Estate Market and its expansion across the workplace, multifamily residential, hospitality, and retail sectors.

Transforming Buildings into Material Resources: Demolition projects have a significant impact on climate change due to the energy and resources required, as well as the emissions created during the process. Material recovery through deconstruction is an unparalleled opportunity for reducing embodied carbon, while also diverting construction waste, reducing exposure to toxic pollutants, protecting natural resources, and creating green jobs.

How Can Science Make Us All More Creative. Really. In an era where information floods our senses and technology reshapes thinking patterns, the ability to focus has become a precious resource. Our physical surroundings play a key role in enhancing or hindering individual and group creative capabilities. This session explores how scientific research into environmental psychology is leveraged to create spaces that support focus and creativity. From ambient sounds to colors, natural materials, light, and spatial configuration, our environments shape creative potential. Understanding these principles isn’t just about designing better workplaces—it’s about creating environments that help navigate information while maintaining the clarity for innovative thinking.

Virtual sessions in the facilities management track:

FF&E Changes in Sports Spaces: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Clubs: Using case study examples from Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s Field Level VIP Clubs, this panel will take a deep dive into navigating the changing landscape of furniture in public assembly spaces. The dynamic group of experts will discuss client expectations and best practices for specifying the right product for the application – extending beyond aesthetics and considering factors such as durability, mobility, accessibility and functionality. As conversions teams are constantly reconfiguring spaces, the session will address approaches to finishes and features to facilitate versatile, multi-use public environments, and to deliver high quality visitor experiences. This panel will discuss how to champion sustainability and community connections. Panelists will underscore proactive communication across the project’s lifecycle, best practices for engaging complex stakeholder networks and a pipeline for continued client communication after installation and solving for arising issues.

Moving Towards Circularity: A Playbook for Sustainable Furniture Planning & Specifications: Think sustainable furniture planning has to be overwhelming, costly or impractical? Think again! This session empowers facility owners, designers, and specifiers with tools and strategies to simplify sustainability and make a measurable impact–and (gasp!) maybe even enjoy the process.

Discover how informed selections, certified materials, and sustainable practices lead to smarter choices that boost durability, extend furniture life, and keep items out of landfills–while saving money and improving budget efficiency. We’ll guide you through RFPs, procurement, and change management, transforming these steps into powerful tools for creating healthier spaces and minimizing environmental harm.

Whether you’re tackling large-scale projects or refining your specification process, this session offers practical strategies to achieve financial savings. Leave with fresh ideas, useful tools, and the confidence to make impactful decisions that save resources and create lasting value.

The Industry Directions, Sustainability and Wellness tracks feature these sessions:

Behavior by Design: Can Design Make Us Better People?: Beyond aesthetics, well designed environments impacts everyone and enables us to enjoy: Improved wellbeing, business and medical outcomes; reduced isolation loneliness and crime; safe neighborhoods and strong communities. Conversely, bad design can interfere with all of these. Data collected in & on spaces reveals correlations between spatial design and human behavior. Can designers tune design for desired human behavior? Should we? Who decides? This session will present projects and research that illustrate the outcome of spatial design on its occupants and the potential for design-orchestrated behavior. The session will invite audience members into discussion on the implications for the possible future of design.

Building Products Selection & Procurement: The release of LEED V5 this year represents the boldest major update for materials and products in over a decade. The material selection landscape is changing each day, and those designing as well as specifying finishes, furniture, flooring, etc. are placing a critical lens on the process taken to affect change in the built environment. This session will cover what’s new for V5 and how to maximize points in the new rating system. You will hear from USGBC staff and members of the LEED Technical Advisory Group who helped launch the new rating system. USGBC will discuss the Building Product Selection & Procurement credit, which is rooted in the impact areas of LEED Version 5. Members of the Materials & Resources Technical Advisory Group will address the ways in which the criteria areas, which have been intentionally aligned with the Mindful Materials Common Materials Framework, will impact the industry from the perspective of those designing, specifying and manufacturing.

Creating Long-Term Value from the Experience Design Process: When architecture, interior design, technology, signage, and service design are coordinated separately, the result is a fragmented experience for users. And as organizations expand, this siloed approach to design results in a broader sense of inconsistency, affecting trust, loyalty, and satisfaction. The solution to this fragmentation and inconsistency is experience design: an integrated, human-centered, place-oriented approach that brings all design disciplines together. While many organizations are going through the process of experience design, they are missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: how to maintain that value over time. The key? Experience design guidelines that turn experiential thinking into a set of actionable and adaptable outcomes. This session explores how both organizations and designers can create, implement, and continuously update experience design guidelines to maximize long-term ROI.

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The Universal Fiber Systems team and Board of Directors are excited to welcome Jonathan Craig as our new CEO. Jonathan’s extensive expertise in fiber technologies and global business strategy, shaped by key leadership roles within our supply chain ecosystem, makes him an excellent choice to lead UFS into its next chapter.

Marc Ammen, outgoing CEO and Executive Board Chair

Craig succeeds Marc Ammen, who is retiring after over fifteen years as CEO and twenty-five years with Universal Fiber Systems. Under Ammen’s leadership, UFS achieved significant growth, establishing global manufacturing sites and completing key acquisitions, including Sapona Yarns and Fiber Innovation Technologies. Ammen will continue to serve as Executive Chair of the Board of Directors.

Craig joins Universal Fiber Systems from Ascend Performance Materials, where he most recently served as Vice President of Polymers and Fibers. During his tenure, he was instrumental in delivering significant profit growth by driving operational efficiency, customer-focused innovation, and industry-leading sustainability initiatives. He led the transformation of a specialty chemicals division and previously held senior roles in supply chain and finance at Ascend. Earlier in his career, Craig also held leadership positions at Bigler LP and Biogen Idec.

His appointment comes at a pivotal time for UFS, as the company expands its global footprint and now serves twenty-seven end markets through targeted investments and strategic acquisitions.

I’m honored to join Universal Fiber Systems and lead such a talented and dedicated team. UFS has a strong history of innovation and serving diverse customer needs. I’m excited to build on that legacy and work closely with our teams and customers to create meaningful solutions for the future. This opportunity is not just a professional milestone but also a meaningful transition for my family. I’m grateful for the support of my wife Elizabeth and our four children as we begin this next chapter together.

Jonathan Craig

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May 13, 2025 –

Over the past three years, the BIFMA e3 Subcommittee — comprising a diverse group of BIFMA members, government agencies, architects, designers, and other industry stakeholders — collaboratively reimagined the standard. The rigorous revision process began with a pilot review and continued through two cycles of association ballots followed by two ANSI ballots. Each phase generated invaluable feedback that helped shape a more transparent, accessible and performance-driven standard.

Key guiding principles during the revision included:

• Simplification of the standard: Streamlining requirements for clarity and ease of implementation
• Establishment of minimum requirements per tier: Transitioning from a credit-based system to clearly defined minimum standards for each performance level
• Alignment with key partners: Maintaining strong consistency with foundational sustainability frameworks such as LEED, WELL and ILFI

As a result, the updated standard introduces several significant enhancements:

• LEVEL 4 achievement: Establishing a new milestone for industry excellence and innovation
• Climate-positive criteria: Pushing the envelope of sustainability by advancing beyond neutrality
• Chemical optimization: Implementing a class-based approach that sets stringent criteria for chemical management

The revised framework builds successively from foundational policies and inventories (Level 1) through assessments and, ultimately, optimization, culminating in the industry-leading benchmarks set by Level 4.

Mendy Claridge, e3 Subcommittee Chair and Director Program Management and Transformation at Kimball International, stated:

This revision represents a bold step forward for sustainable furniture design and manufacturing. By streamlining the requirements and integrating progressive criteria, this allows the industry to meet market sustainability demands while aligning with complementary standards globally.

BIFMA extends its sincere thanks to every individual and organization that contributed insights throughout this review process, saying that their collaboration ensured the development of a standard that not only meets current environmental challenges but also sets a visionary roadmap for the future of sustainable furniture design.

To access the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2024 Furniture Sustainability Standard and additional BIFMA standards, visit BIFMA.

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By Sara Marberry  — Since the current U.S. president took office in January, chaos has reigned. The administration’s push for deregulation and new financial incentives could ease some red tape and open up funding opportunities. But then there’s the fine print: labor shortages, tariffs on materials, slashed federal grants, and policy pivots that make long-term planning difficult.

For those of you in planning, designing, and constructing healthcare facilities and senior living communities, this new policy landscape probably feels like a rollercoaster ride.

Anxiety is high. Uncertainty is real. And many of us are asking: When will the chaos subside?

Likely not anytime soon. And there’s not a lot we can do about it.

So, to provide a little distraction and make you laugh, here’s the best healthcare design joke I know. In fact, its the only healthcare design joke I know.

I’ve shared it before, but it’s still funny.

Doctors were asked to contribute to the planning and design of a new medical center. Their responses?

• The allergists voted to scratch it.
• The dermatologists preferred no rash moves.
• The gastroenterologists had a gut feeling about it.
• The neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve.
• The obstetricians were laboring under a misconception.
• The ophthalmologists thought it was short-sighted.
• The orthopedists issued a joint resolution.
• The pathologists said, “Over my dead body!”
• The pediatricians said, “Grow up.”
• The proctologists said, “We are in arrears.”
• The psychiatrists thought it was madness.
• The surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
• The radiologists could see right through it.
• The internists said it was a hard pill to swallow.
• The plastic surgeons thought it put a whole new face on the matter.
• The podiatrists called it a big step forward.
• The urologists warned it wouldn’t hold water.
• The emergency physicians said it needed resuscitation.
• And the cardiologists? They just didn’t have the heart to say no.

Laughter really is the best medicine, right? If you know another healthcare design joke, please share it in the comment box below!

See the original article as well as more insights on Sara Marberry’s Blog.

This column originally ran on Sara Marberry’s Blog on April 18, 2025. Marberry is a healthcare design expert with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare and senior living design industry, who has written/edited five books and is a regular contributor to Healthcare Design magazine. Marberry also is a former Executive Vice President of the nonprofit Center for Health Design.

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The Center for Health Design’s internationally recognized Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) program awards a credential to individuals who demonstrate an understanding of how to apply an evidence-based process to the design and construction of all settings that contribute to health, safety and well-being, including measuring and reporting results.

Having the EDAC certification shows your clients and team members that you have a method for developing design solutions that are rooted in research to help achieve the desired goals and improved outcomes.

The updated digital study guides offer several new features, including:

Highlighting and note-taking — Engage with the material in a more interactive way.

Chapter-based navigation — Easily find content with a structured format replacing the previous single-running PDF.

Improved accessibility — Zoom up to 400% while maintaining text clarity.

This integration allows design professionals to access essential industry resources in one place, helping them create safer, more effective healthcare environments.

Those purchasing Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) Study Guides via The Center for Health Design website will now be redirected to FGI’s website for purchase and access. Existing users on MADCAD can continue their subscription until its term ends, after which they can transition to FGI’s digital subscription.

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By Eileen McMorrow — NeoCon, the world’s premier fair for commercial design, is pleased to announce a powerhouse jury for the 2025 Best of NeoCon Awards. Now in its 35th year, the industry-leading competition features an on-site panel of top architects, designers, facility managers and business media who will conduct an in-depth review of the latest solutions shaping contract environments. Broad in its reach, the program brings together multidisciplinary professionals across workplace, healthcare, education, retail and hospitality sectors to evaluate 40 plus categories — from furnishings and architectural products to surface materials and more. 

With insider knowledge and real-world experience in specification, design strategy and product performance, the 2025 roster includes decision-makers from Aflac, CBRE and Walgreens, and designers from Corgan, Gensler, Marmon Mok and Shepley Bulfinch, to name a few. The distinguished group will judge each entry in-person at THE MART in Chicago on June 6 and 7, before the show opens. Winners will be unveiled during a high-energy ceremony on Monday, June 9, at 7:30 a.m., kicking off the 56th edition of NeoCon.

“Each year, we select a jury with a keen understanding of how products influence the built environment,” remarks Eileen McMorrow, Director of the Best of NeoCon Program. “Their expertise — from both the interior design perspective and the facility manager and end-user experience — is invaluable in recognizing solutions that push the industry forward.”

Uniting returning and first-time jurors with a diverse range of perspectives and project experience, the delegation ensures a well-rounded assessment of every submission. Participants include Suzanne Lefebvre of CannonDesign (Buffalo, NY), Annie Portner of Gensler (Philadelphia), Brad Robichaux of HKS (Dallas), and Robin Turansky of TVS (Atlanta), alongside seasoned facility managers Lelitha Williams of Aflac (Columbus, GA), Kathryn Feddor of CBRE (Chicago), and Jennifer Leighty of Walgreens (Kenosha, WI). The full list of jurors can be found on the Best of NeoCon website.

Regarding the critical role the Best of NeoCon jury plays in recognizing standout innovations, Lelitha Williams, Supervisor, Office Design & Planning at Aflac, says, “We carefully assess each product’s potential impact on real-world applications, validating that award recipients represent the best solutions for today’s built environments and reinforce the integrity and prestige that have made these awards so respected.”

Jurors will engage in an immersive evaluation of every Best of NeoCon entry — allowing for careful deliberation, meaningful dialogue with manufacturers, and product testing. This face-to-face exchange, paired with the jury’s thorough onsite assessment, upholds the Best of NeoCon program’s reputation as the most trusted industry benchmark for design excellence.

“One of the highlights for me is meeting with the product designers and learning about their process, seeing firsthand how their vision comes to life,” notes returning juror Suzanne Lefebvre, Interior Design Leader at CannonDesign. “I value the opportunity to dive deeper into emerging trends and technologies, particularly in how they affect student and staff experiences in the academic and workplace settings.”

Awards are given for Gold, Silver, Innovation and Sustainability, and the singular Best of Competition honor. The Business Impact Awards will also return, recognizing products that drive organizational performance through smarter workflows, cost savings, space optimization and other strategic outcomes. Business Impact finalists will advance to a second round of on-site review by a panel of business journalists from Fast Company, Forbes, Newsweek, Vogue Business and Morning Brew, among other notable publications.

This year, NeoCon attendees will also be able to weigh in on innovations through the inaugural People’s Choice Awards. This peer-to-peer recognition allows industry professionals to vote for their favorite Best of NeoCon-winning products via QR codes displayed in award recipients’ booths and showrooms throughout THE MART, during the show. The winners will be revealed on Wednesday, June 11.

Submission rules, deadlines and entry fees

NeoCon exhibitors are encouraged to submit entries through the Best of NeoCon online portal. Eligible products must have entered the U.S. market since June 2024 and be on display at NeoCon 2025. Products previously entered in Best of NeoCon 2024 are ineligible. Entrants must be NeoCon 2025 exhibitors. The final submission deadline is May 20th at $1,100 per entry and the Business Impact Award opt-in fee is $250 per entry.

More details on the program and entry process can be found at Best of NeoCon.

NeoCon 2025 is open to trade, C-suite executives, and other industry-related professionals, and registration is free for all attendees. Register here. 

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By Sara Marberry  — I’ve been having a lot of conversations with people about AI recently. Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay and will only grow in importance in our daily lives.

AI isn’t perfect.

It sometimes messes things up. Its ability to generate highly realistic deepfake videos and images is very disturbing. And some think AI could surpass human intelligence and take over the world.

But AI isn’t inherently good or evil — it’s all about how we use it.

AI in healthcare

In healthcare, AI is already impacting patient care, staff productivity, and facility design.

AI-powered imaging tools can detect anomalies like cancer, fractures, or infections faster and with higher accuracy than traditional methods. It also scrutinizes patient data, genetics, and past medical history to tailor treatments specific to individual needs.

And there’s more.

AI models can analyze trends and identify individuals at risk of diseases like heart disease or diabetes before symptoms appear, enabling early interventions. AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots are able to provide 24/7 patient support, answer medical queries, schedule appointments, and even help monitor chronic conditions remotely.

By reducing administrative burdens and optimizing workflows, AI is also reducing time spent on things like paperwork and data entry, allowing staff to focus more on patient care.

AI in healthcare facility planning and design

A recent paper published by the American College of Healthcare Architects offers a great overview of AI in healthcare facility planning and design, with 10 conclusions and predictions at the end. Some that stood out for me are:

1. Data-driven design: AI’s ability to collect data in a number of different areas. such as outpatient care and customer preferences, will inform new and flexible facility design solutions.
2. Efficiency and workflow optimization: By streamlining administrative tasks, AI will free up time for healthcare professionals and eliminate the need for some staff. This will impact the types and amount of workspaces that are needed.
3. Population data mining for everyone: AI’s ability to analyze and predict diseases and new treatment options will present new design challenges

On the creative side, AI allows healthcare architects and designers to run different scenarios for their designs by generating multiple solutions based on specific things like space utilization, sustainability, and aesthetics. It’s also being used to design more energy-efficient buildings by simulating how they will interact with natural elements such as sunlight, wind, and temperature.

AI-powered virtual staging tools can give clients an idea of what a space might look like with out physical staging. And AI can be used to suggest furniture arrangements, color schemes, and design themes.

What to make of AI

So, are all of you healthcare architects and designers going to be replaced by AI? Heck no. It cannot replace the deeply human qualities of empathy, ethics, intuition, and a sense of purpose that is essential to you and the work you do.

But if you’re not using AI as a tool to help problem-solve, stimulate your creativity, and produce better designs, then you’re missing the boat.

See the original article as well as more insights on Sara Marberry’s Blog.

This column originally ran on Sara Marberry’s Blog on February 28, 2025. Marberry is a healthcare design expert with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare and senior living design industry, who has written/edited five books and is a regular contributor to Healthcare Design magazine. Marberry also is a former Executive Vice President of the nonprofit Center for Health Design.

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Below are the Top 4 Education Real Estate Trends to Watch that JLL identified for 2025:

• Higher ed institutions will increasingly look to strategic solutions to navigate financial challenges and market pressures: 12 higher education P3s closed in 2023, up from 5 in 2022 and 5 in 2021. There are currently 19 higher education P3s in progress YTD in 2024, up from 12 in 2023.
• The holistic campus experience will be a key differentiator for attracting and retaining students and faculty and staff: It’s essential for schools to develop affordable and highly amenitized student and workforce housing, innovative learning spaces, modern athletic complexes and technologically advanced research laboratories to drive growth and attract both students and faculty/staff.
• Colleges and universities will shift from planning to action as they prioritize campus sustainability and resilience: 80% of students report considering sustainability as an important factor in their college decision.
• Data-driven decision making will improve operational efficiencies in higher education campus management: 69% of educational organizations surveyed believe that the CRE function has the potential to deliver the most value over the next five years by supporting organizational efficiencies.

Education Trends to Watch: 2025 Global Real Estate Outlook (PDF) is available for download from JLL.

JLL researchers have also identified trends to watch for the following industries, in addition to the larger Occupier Trends to Watch piece:

• Aerospace and Defense
• Financial Services
• Healthcare
• Industrials
• Insurance
• Life Sciences
• Technology

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Thank you to all of you who attended. Sorry some of you had to sit on the floor.

Because we only had an hour, we shared a few of the most significant design innovations that were short-term fads and lasting trends in these four categories: Patient & Staff Safety, Efficiency, Patient Experience, and Staff Experience/Satisfaction. We also spoke about emerging design responses that may become trends.

The criteria we presented for evaluating trends is (in no particular order):

1. Evidence based and/or researched informed
2. Operationally efficient
3. Improves clinical outcomes
4. Cost and schedule positive
5. Long term ROI
6. Flexible/adaptable

And for a design innovation to become a trend, it doesn’t have to meet all six criteria. Here are a some of the fads and trends from the past 20 years we discussed.

“Safe by Design” Patient Rooms

Remember these? Designers were trying to show that physical design of patient rooms could directly influence adverse events by adding design features such as:

• Nursing cockpits between rooms that directly faced the patient (not noting that staffing ratios on acute care units are not 1:1).
• Moving toilet room doors closer to patient bed to reduce falls, but not understanding furniture elements in the way or how IV poles are tethered.
• Designing same handed rooms, which are great for modularity and sound attenuation, but not proven to reduce medical errors.

Standard practice now is to design for fall prevention in patient rooms by including night lights, visibility from central core, additional grab bars, and sliding doors for toilets

Highly Designed Patient Room Sinks

The theory here was that if you emphasized the the design and location of patient room sinks by using special lighting, and wall and/or flooring patterns, it would encourage handwashing. It didn’t really work, so most hospitals now have alcohol solution and glove dispensers near sinks or at the entrance to rooms.

Recent studies have shown the potential for bacteria growth in water locations, so many now are even questioning the need for patient room sinks at all.

Private Offices

Private offices are nice, right? Physicians and managers like to have ’em.

But they take up a lot of valuable real estate. And the pandemic showed us that we don’t have to be an office all the time to do our work.

The current trend, which will likely become standard, is to “right-size” hospitals, including removing or reducing private offices, providing hoteling spaces, and offering telecommuting options for administrative staff.

Customized Interiors

Twenty years ago, interior design was very customized, sometimes with totally different looks and materials per department. A healthcare designer’s dream, right?

While often beautiful and patient focused, these designs forced hospitals to stock many types and colors of finishes and learn how to maintain them correctly.

As the number of healthcare systems grow, a continuing trend to standardize the look of sister facilities to solidify their brand for customers. The standardization of furniture, fixtures, and equipment reduces maintenance and repair costs, allowing for more economic and efficient operations.

Standards also create an economy of scale that increases purchasing power and deep quantity discounts. Interior design standards are an HR benefit, as they ensure that workspaces are consistent for all employees, regardless of title.

Indoor Gardens, Water Features, Aquariums

Access to nature through indoor gardens, water features, and live aquariums were also fads. Maintenance was difficult for both and we realized that water features were a health hazard because they can spread waterborne organisms that cause Legionnaire’s disease and other infections.

Standard practice is to have large windows in exam and patient rooms, nature themed art, and outdoor spaces to provide patients and staff with access to nature and fresh air.

Biophilic design principles that integrate nature-inspired elements are also standard in many healthcare interiors today. This includes using fractal patterns in textiles, flooring, decorative elements; as well as the use of wood and curved shapes.

Family Kitchens

And who can forget about the impact Planetree had on the design of healthcare environments? Many of their ideas about patient units, such as lower counters at nurse stations and incorporating artwork, have become standard practice.

But things like family kitchens on units — touted for their benefits to support family members and provide calming smells like chocolate chip cookies baking, have not. They proved to be problematic because clinicians couldn’t control the nutritional needs of patients due to the fact that family members were bringing in food.

Emerging solutions for family amenities include privacy booths for family members to make phone calls or work while waiting; as well as and sensory rooms to help reduce stress for patients and families.

Decentralized Nurse Stations

While decentralized nurse stations were developed to bring nursing care closer to patients, practical challenges related to communication, collaboration, efficiency, safety, and staff well-being have led to a shift back to more centralized or hybrid models.

For example, when nurses are spread out in smaller, separate stations, it becomes more difficult to share critical information, provide support, and coordinate care effectively. Decentralized stations can also lead to feelings of isolation and reduce opportunities for immediate peer support and mentorship, which can affect morale and job satisfaction.

Interior Staff Break Rooms

Staff break rooms have traditionally been interior spaces with a few tables and chairs and no windows. Standard practice is heading toward exterior break areas with windows and comfortable seating that encourages social interaction.

Also called respite rooms, Tranquility Rooms are an emerging trend in hospitals because they provide a practical and meaningful way to support the mental health of staff, reduce burnout, and promote overall well-being. In many cases these are repurposed spaces, like the chapel that was converted to a staff respite room at AdventHealth in Winter Garden Fla.

And while these types of rooms are trending, for them to be used, staff will only use them if the culture supports it. Because nurses often don’t want to leave their patients for fear that something will happen while they’re gone or they’ll get behind in the work.

Another staff amenity that’s emerging are the Apple store-inspired “genius bars” where staff can get help with technology and equipment, as well as Amazon lockers in offstage areas for staff to receive packages safely. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s new inpatient tower, expected to open in 2026, is going to have one.

On Stage/Off Stage Design

This concept came from Disney, where you never see any of the offstage production while you’re in its theme parks (Mickey just appears out of nowhere!).

While this concept has its merits in creating more patient-centered environments, the complexities and dynamic nature of healthcare delivery made it less effective in hospital settings. For example, it often resulted in longer travel distances for staff, making it harder to provide timely care or transport equipment.

More physical space was also needed to create separate pathways and entrances for patients, families, and staff – which increased construction costs. Also, healthcare managers realized that the presence of staff is important to patients and families. They want to see them doing their job.

Emerging Design Responses to Current Healthcare Topics

We wrapped up our presentation with some ideas about emerging design responses to some current healthcare topics, such as technology, access to care, and being a better corporate citizen. I’ll write about them in a future blog post.

Bottom line? A fad is sometimes an overreaction to the healthcare issue “du jour.” Applying the criteria listed about helps qualify trends vs. fads.

And there will always be unknown factors. The ultimate test is the test of time.

See the original article as well as more insights on Sara Marberry’s Blog.

This column originally ran on Sara Marberry’s Blog on November 1, 2024. Marberry is a healthcare design expert with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare and senior living design industry, who has written/edited five books and is a regular contributor to Healthcare Design magazine. Marberry also is a former Executive Vice President of the nonprofit Center for Health Design.

The post Marberry: Trends and fads that have impacted healthcare facility design and construction appeared first on FMLink.