Design is not just making something visually appealing. When done well, design results in a product that is both purposeful and beautiful. Good design can improve clinical spaces immensely, which is something we and our clients have experienced firsthand. Our mobile infusion carts for University of Minnesota Health and our headwall for Advocate Lutheran General Hospital both took a product…
All health environments need care and attention to keep them safe for users, but operating rooms require a special level of upkeep. With each new patient comes a number of steps that must occur to ensure maximum cleanliness and security for the next person. However, OR surgeons often face high pressures to improve OR efficiency. “For health…
As extravagant and luxurious as they’ve become, locker rooms aren’t just there to make a statement and look pretty. Their functions aren’t limited to acting as a changing room and storage space, either. As players and coaches will attest, locker rooms play a big role in team building. They’re the place where everything pre- and post-game…
Healthcare facilities are stressful, busy places not only for patients and their families but also for staff members. Hospitals are always open, patients are always in need of care, and staff are always needed to care for them and to make the place run smoothly. Because staff members play such a vital role in hospitals,…
Not all solid surfaces are created equal. Manufacturers tend to regard acrylic solid surface as a better product than polyester, as it’s more durable, easier to maintain and easier to fabricate. Likewise, certain colors of solid surfaces are better for certain environments. Here are a few general guidelines on how to choose solid surface colors to…
“The way something looks is the last thing we figure out.” —Alexander Isley…
Entry 1Hi, I’m Shelfie. I assume you’ve heard about my adventures in the miserable outdoors from my owners at Shield. It probably sounds super cheery and not horrible. Well, not everything you read on the internet is true. A lot of things—such as, just as a random example, the Shieldren’s account of what happened to…
A well-known cultural and art institute, the Getty identifies nine main principles of design that artists use in their work: balance, emphasis, movement, pattern, repetition, proportion, rhythm, variety and unity. Not every design does nor should use every principle, but the way artists and designers use these principles greatly contributes to the success and appeal of their…
A recent article in Medical Construction and Design magazine discussed the ways a number of construction companies have increased sustainability efforts in their work. There are many opportunities, it said, to recycle on healthcare building projects, such as by salvaging existing structures or prefabricating products. A closer look at Mortenson Construction‘s work on a Denver hospital demonstrates…
Spring is coming, and so is outdoor furniture. Finally, the sun will be bright enough and temperatures warm enough to enjoy lunch outside, surrounded by natural light and blooming flowers. Outdoor furniture hits its all-time popularity level in the spring, but finding a furniture material that can sufficiently withstand the elements is difficult. Solid surface’s properties,…