Increasing the Inclusivity of the Design Process for Transformative Design

This case study of a new project at Reading Health System speaks to a multi-generational approach for the transformative design that helps caregivers provide patient care. The design team engaged beyond the typical stakeholders and included members such as the EVS staff, Infection Control, and Transport in the early planning phases and through all 24 rounds of intensive user group sessions to fully understand design impacts on the processes of flow of patients, materials, and staff. The goal of this inclusive design process was to transform the convoluted OR processes, consolidate programs from multiple buildings, introduce new patient and supply chain processes, and co-locate the surgery and procedural platforms in a single building with direct access to the ED and 150 new private Surgical Beds.

This article originally appeared in The Academy Journal, published by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Healthcare (17th edition).