Medical office design and layout must be successful for patient comfort and operational functionality. Experienced architectural input can insure that a “deal” goes through for the commercial real estate broker or landlord. Doctors won’t sign a lease, or purchase real estate if it can’t be demonstrated that the space fits their vision of how a medical practice should work. The “go-or-no-go” analysis starts with the waiting area which creates the initial image of a medical facility. Doctors are particularly interested in the number of seats that can be accommodated in their waiting rooms. They also want to see that pedestrian traffic separates patients entering with those who have just paid their bills or discussed something in privacy in accordance with HIPAA regulations. The Ives Architecture Studio often has to relocate walls and use design creativity to make the space planning work for each unique medical practice.
Since patients are often nervous in a healthcare environment, it is important to provide proper lighting, sensitive interior design and soft colors as well as comfortable well-arranged seating to create a sense of calm. The Ives staff has found that custom designed receptionist desks with distinctive company graphics will set the ambiance of the office as one enters the space. The Ives Architecture Studio has completed many projects that increase patient and doctor satisfaction, however; the bottom line is that you must demonstrate in advance of commitment to a new location that the office space will work for a particular medical practice. This starts with the waiting area. If you can’t do this, your potential client will look elsewhere. Therefore, The Ives Architecture Studio develops the space plan and provides sketches of the waiting area initially to assist in consummating the real estate deal. Then we carry the project through to the completion of construction and occupancy.
Joel Ives, AIA, PP, NCARB, is a partner at The Ives Architecture Studio LLC.