Architects Consider Healthcare Trends at Summer Leadership Summit
SBS was recently invited to the 2013 AAH /ACHA Summer Leadership Summit in Chicago to accept an AIA National Healthcare Design Award for the Adamsville Regional Health Center.
This award was in the category of built projects with a construction cost of less than $25 million, of which there were four such projects.
2013 AIA Heatlhcare Design Award for Adamsville Regional Healthcare Center
The awards presentation was a part of a weekend-long event sponsored by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) and the American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA). I had the honor of attending this year’s summit and accepting the award on our firm’s behalf. Since this was the first year that SBS has attended, it was a great opportunity to observe and to find out what it’s all about.
SLS Summit
The theme for this year’s summit was “Quality: Who Cares? Everybody!”
Each speaker at the summit addressed this theme by focusing on the upcoming healthcare trends within the industry and how these trends will affect healthcare architects. The trends and topics included the implications of the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA), technology-driven care, accountable healthcare and integrated planning processes within a design team.
I found that a few key questions and considerations resonated with each of the presentations:
- How is the physical environment conducive to technology-driven care?
- With technology-driven care, can the patient’s personal story be maintained?
- How can we encourage clients to spend for change / for the future? How can we help them get to a critical level of thinking for their facilities?
- Redesign processes before redesigning buildings; Optimize functionality of the facility and departments before focusing on form.
- How can architects connect with the patient population while being removed from the actual delivery of care?
Certainly, these are all points we encounter on our projects and look forward to tackling at Stanley Beaman & Sears.
In addition to the healthcare-focused events of the weekend, I was able to squeeze in some time to explore the city. An architectural boat cruise was included in the summit’s schedule of events and it was well worth the trip. The tour lasted for several hours as the vessel lazily drifted along the Chicago River and the sun set on the bustling city. The well-informed tour guide belted out facts and figures about Chicago’s most famous buildings and architects as we enjoyed hamburgers and hotdogs. The tour ended with the twinkling Chicago skyline reflected on Lake Michigan; what more could you ask for?
An architectural boat cruise was included in schedule of events
The tour ended with the twinkling Chicago skyline reflected on Lake Michigan
The summit wrapped up on Saturday afternoon, leaving me some time to sightsee. I made a list, plotted a course and managed to visit several landmarks, browse art and architecture exhibits, and enjoy some of the recommended restaurants and watering holes that the windy city has to offer.
Architecture Exhibit: Provocations for Chicago’s Urban Future
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Contemporary Art
Obligatory Millenium Park Pictures
The Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, designed by Renzo Piano
Prentice Hospital (left) and Marina City
Rookery Building (left) and an Amazing brunch burger at Au Cheval
It was a whirlwind trip, full of critical thinking mixed with site-seeing, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to represent SBS in such a great American city!
- Maita Rivas, LEED AP, BD+C