title: Embracing change.
abstract: As the world changes financially, the healthcare architectural design world is following suit. Gone are the straightforward days of designing a hospital based solely on the programming and function of the space. Now, architects must evolve not only to understand healthcare financing and its availability to clients, but to work in a more collaborative way to design projects. Today, fewer projects are moving forward, creating increased competition among architects. This is also generating more scrutiny in regard to cost control and risk management, which has forced architects to consider alternatives to contractual relationships and design/delivery methods. New ways of thinking about bringing a hospital to life foster creativity in both the design and delivery processes. Although these changes can be somewhat uncomfortable, they foster learning, collaboration, and ultimately, benefits for all who participate in the process.
authors.affiliation: SmithGroup, 301 Battery St., 7th floor, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA. Carl.Christiansen@smithgroup.com
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christiansen
mesh_terms: D003284:Contract Services / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics*; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans