EUA:Pulse | October 2019

October 2019
health + wellness : architecture : planning : interior design



PULSE is our quarterly outreach,
showcasing our latest designs and
connecting you with forward-thinking
industry experts.

A Word From the Vice President

We believe at its heart, architecture is about people. Having a high
performing team and long-term relationships are crucial to achieving
the best results possible for our partners and clients. At EUA, we
are proud to have never lost a healthcare client. This is a big
legacy and one we intend to keep. As we continue our intentional
growth within the Denver market, our clients and partners – current
and new – can expect the same level of service that has built our
reputation for over a century. Our commitment to exceptional work
and long-standing relationships remains a cornerstone of our
practice. With outstanding local talent, we look forward to future
projects and partnerships we will build in the Colorado
healthcare market.

K R I S T I N D U F E K AIA,ACHE, LEED AP
Vice President | Alumnus Healthcare Studio Director
EUA

[email protected]
414.291.8142



EXPERT INSIGHTS: SARAH MOSER, RA, NCARB, EDAC

DEFINING SUCCESS

The Value of Evidence-Based Design in Healthcare

As architects, our goal is to be a trusted partner to our clients. In addition to their
vision for the project, we want to understand their broader objectives so we can
craft the project as part of a holistic approach to attain them. Good healthcare
design isn’t innovation for innovation’s sake, hoping for the best and never
looking back. Similarly, a design solution that was successful for one project will
not necessarily be effective for another, because each client has unique drivers
and definitions of success. In order to create a project that reflects and supports
those needs, I believe there is incalculable value in an evidence-based
design process.

Evidence-based design captures essential insights to establish goals and inform
design solutions; it is a key component throughout the design process and
ultimately shapes the project’s trajectory. Incorporating this philosophy, three key
practices I use to set the stage for a successful project and guide innovation are:
understanding the current state, collecting external evidence and envisioning the
ideal state.

EATING RECOVERY CENTER
Eating Recovery Center has a strong family-centered approach to adolescent treatment.The updated facility
reflects a non-institutional, comfortable atmosphere to support and encourage an emotionally safe environment.
The space incorporates warm colors, soft lighting and fireplaces throughout to enhance the patient experience.

To learn more, visit: eua.com/ERC

UNDERSTANDING THE CURRENT STATE
Before we can identify where we want to go, we must first understand where we’re
starting. In the client’s current processes, what’s working and what opportunities
are there for improvement? Are their facilities supporting or hindering their ability
to create an optimal experience? Observations of existing facilities, surveys, and
focus groups with users (clinicians, staff and patients) provide an imperative
baseline of what should be maintained and what could be improved.

COLLECTING EXTERNAL EVIDENCE
This practice gathers and distills evidence about healthcare trends, benchmarks
and design strategies through literature reviews and case studies. This provides
the project team with valuable information they can use to inform and guide their
creativity and innovation.

ENVISIONING THE IDEAL STATE
With an objective understanding of current state and what’s working for others,
we can together craft a vision of the ideal state. Visioning and project goal-setting
sessions establish the client’s objectives and specific needs. Design workshops
with users allow the team to work through design strategies, perform process walk
throughs, build mock-ups and put them to the test prior to construction.

I saw first-hand the benefits of evidence-based design while working on an
inpatient behavioral health facility. The design team conducted observations, focus
groups, surveys and literature reviews, along with a two-day design workshop with
clinicians. When discussing safety, a nurse made a comment that really stuck with
me: “It’s not if I’ll get attacked, it’s when.” This stressed the criticality of safety for
both staff and patients in the caregiving setting. In a focus group with individuals
who had experienced other inpatient settings, one shared: “I was in a facility for
six months and went outside only three times,” emphasizing the importance of a
connection with nature for well-being. Hearing these first-hand experiences heavily
influenced the team’s shared vision: to create a human-centered environment
with top priorities of safety, comfort and dignity. The result of a safe healing
environment that focuses on overall well-being will ultimately influence the success
of the patients, the program and the investment in the project.

DREXEL TOWN SQUARE HEALTH CENTER
Froedert & the Medical College of Wisconsin’s goal was to develop a functional, practical and flexible campus,
creating a signature statement and enlarging the health system’s scope.This new health center is designed to be
a destination medical facility with multiple specialties at one location.

To learn more, visit: eua.com/Drexel

This process also demonstrated the importance of user involvement in design.
Not only did their participation shape the vision, the clinicians became champions
for the project with a sense of ownership and pride in the design, spreading their
excitement for the new building to other staff. There’s no more effective way for
your users to embrace necessary change than by showing them that their feedback
and experience matters. In my experience, investing in an evidence-based design
process early is well worth the effort, expediting decision-making later in the
design process and ultimately leading to a more successful project.

When excellence is the goal (and of course, when isn’t it?), then evidence-
based design is essential; it provokes an evolution in design thinking to be
more conscientious and informed, helps avoid the pitfall of “doing what we’ve
always done” and encourages continuous learning and improvement. The best
architects are not only talented designers, they are facilitators, knowledge seekers,
problem solvers and visionaries. They know the value of evidence-based design in
understanding a client’s broader vision and helping them achieve their definition
of success, growing beyond consultant architect to trusted partner.

S A R A H M O S E R RA, NCARB, EDAC
Project Architect | Healthcare
EUA

[email protected]
303.256.1132

Sarah specializes in healthcare architecture and is inspired by the built
environment’s power to positively impact the human experience. Through
visioning sessions with stakeholders and users, she strives to understand the
unique goals and definitions of success for each client. Sarah has a mind for
planning; she simultaneously sees the big picture and the minute details, finding
the path to achieve the desired result with the flexibility needed to overcome
challenges and uncover new opportunities along the way.

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL THERAPY CLINIC
This facility design reflects the Children’s Hospital of Colorado’s brand while maintaining proportion and scale to its
surroundings.The exterior facade design utilizes decorative paneling and accents on prominent corners to reflect
the organization’s brand and increase visibility.The entry, lobby and Orthopedics gym feature expansive windows
for ample natural light.

To learn more, visit: eua.com/ChildrensCO

EUA SPOTLIGHT

KA L PA N A M O H A N R A J AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
healthcare | workplace

eua.com/KalpanaM
[email protected]
303.256.1125

Over the years, I’ve come to realize what I love about architecture is that it is less about
what I create and more about how it empowers the people who experience it. I am an
advocate for my clients and am committed to making sure they receive the best service.

ANITA VONGPHRACHANH
healthcare | workplace

eua.com/AnitaV
[email protected]
303.256.1124

I think it’s really important to become a student of my clients—observe their culture, listen
to what they like and what they want to change—to craft a space that connects with them.
In addition to posture of learning, I also bring humor and snacks to the projects I work on.

M E G H A N B E N T H E I M E R NCIDQ, IIDA
workplace

eua.com/MeghanB
[email protected]
303.256.1127

One of my greatest strengths is that, by nature, I am thorough. I strive not to just find an
answer, but find the right answer for my clients. I truly believe design has the power to
shape the human experience, and that as a designer it’s my responsibility and privilege to
shape environments that will enhance the user experience.

Follow our experts on LinkedIn

WISCONSIN INSTITUTE OF UROLOGY
The design concept for this facility is inspired by a “Respite in the Woods” theme and offers a calming and
serene environment for patients. Natural elements are incorporated with the use of wood, organic patterns
with finishes and lighting creating clearly identifiable areas and points of reference for patient wayfinding.

To learn more, visit: eua.com/WIU

PARTNER APPROACH:

the EUA healthcare client experience

CREATING A LEGACY OF SERVING LONG-STANDING CLIENTS

At EUA, our clients truly matter to us. But don’t take our word for it – hear from a
few of the healthcare providers we work with. In our video, “The EUA Healthcare
Client Experience,” you’re able to hear from our clients first hand and gain an
inside look at their spaces. Although we work in a variety of healthcare sectors,
this video features clients we’ve worked with in the specialty care, private practice
and outpatient care. With healthcare experts in Wisconsin as well as Denver, EUA’s
clients can expect the same level of care and professionalism to be applied to their
projects and relationships, no matter the scale.

To learn more, visit: eua.com/Partners

Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin
Ascension

J OY S PAT Z AIA, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C
Denver Studio Director | Principal
EUA (formerly Burkettdesign)
[email protected] | 303.256.1150

1899 Wynkoop Street, Suite 300 | Denver, CO 80202

eua.com

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