Research in Professional Practice: How a Seed Grant from the AIA Eventually Enabled the Creation of a Research Entity

In 2006, the HKS Research team developed a study proposal to understand what flexibility means to end-users in inpatient care units, and to identify domains of design decision-making that impact operational flexibility. Funded by the AIA 2006 RFP and a grant from Herman Miller, the study examined the issue at six acute care hospitals across the U.S. Data analysis identified nine domains of design decision-making that impact operational flexibility on hospital bed units. The study created a foundation for two follow-up research projects.