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The AIA Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) 2007 Leadership
Meeting was held in Chicago on July 13–14. This year’s
theme, The Power of Design, was a testament to how the academy is
changing its culture. Organized by a committee led by AAH
President-elect Peter Bardwell, FAIA, FACHA, the event was a sign
that the future of this knowledge community is not what it used to
be. One of the most noticeable changes was the diverse group of
more than 130 attendees, composed of both senior and junior
specialists, who were invited because of their active participation
in the academy. The open structure of the two-day informal sessions
promoted interaction and participation by all those present.
The discussions at the meeting suggested a holistic approach to
the design and planning of healthcare facilities by combining the
following topics: Function and Program, Campus and Context, Public
Spaces, Strategic Planning, Products and Technology, Scale and
Design, and Continuum of Design. Each discussion topic was
carefully prepared by a different pair of nationally recognized
industry leaders, who presented their research and were open to
comments after each presentation.
The theme and presenters reflect how our industry is changing
and how our group is promoting these changes. Today’s clients
expect more than a well-thought-out, functional layout and the best
technology. They also want a space that is designed to incorporate
humanizing elements, in which the facility’s interior and
exterior are in synch. Attaining this balance is one of the biggest
challenges each project faces. For example, one of the presenters
proposed that new facilities be required to include natural light
sources every 50 feet. If this were to be implemented, the
requirement would enhance the quality of the space for both
patients and staff.
In between sessions we were asked to introduce ourselves to
someone at the meeting who we didn’t already know. As I
introduced myself, I also asked each person to explain why they had
chosen healthcare architecture as their profession. It was
remarkable to learn that every single participant had been
influenced by a personal or family event. I was not the only
one.
As a member of the Young Architects/Emerging Professionals Forum
I found this event valuable, because it provided me with access to
new knowledge and resources. Most importantly, it allowed me to
voice my opinion, interact with other members, exchange views, and
discuss challenges in our practices.
My first exposure to this community was in 1992, when I attended
the AIA-AAH Fall Conference in San Diego. At the time I was a
student in Clemson University’s Architecture + Health graduate
program. Since then I have been involved as a participant and
organizer of the AIA-AAH Student Design Charrette.
This involvement has enabled me to see presentations on
forward-thinking designs and meet the designers and planners who
created them. Clients expect us to be current on what is the latest
and to be the ones leading them into uncharted territories; that is
why I encourage involvement with the AIA-AAH.
Eduardo S. Egea, AIA, NCARB, is vice president/director of
HKS’s Miami healthcare practice. He can be reached at eegea@hksinc.com.
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