The first thing a good architect has to have is the ability to put themselves in other people’s shoes, to value both the physical and emotional needs of the people who’ll experience a building or space. That’s me, I thought. With a primary career specialty in healthcare design, I saw myself as an incredibly [...]

Many baby-boomers help long-distance parents navigate health issues, housing changes and daily care. In my case, my father’s rapid health decline served as a fast-track introduction into the world of skilled nursing and hospice care, Oregon-style.

When I first began working on healthcare projects, I knew that I wanted to create environments that would benefit all users: staff, patients, and families. I didn't realize that even the smallest design decision had a direct impact on patient’s state of mind and well being.