GS&P DIALOGUE - "Architecture"

Customs and Border Protection: It's No Ellis Island

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:02:26 GMT

Ellis Island was once the most famous and glamorized national gateway to these United States. An award-winning architectural landmark, it was often referred to as the "Island of Tears" due to the experience of some travelers as they were denied entrance into the country after a long voyage. As the jet age moved into full swing and now with international travel becoming more common place, scenes of grand entrances at ports like Ellis Island have largely been replaced by hurried passengers being screened through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) services at International airports across the country. In an effort to remain competitive, facilities are focused on enhancing the passenger experience and creating a welcoming sense of place as travelers enter the U.S., with the success of a CBP often being based on its ability to process a certain number of passengers-per-hour. With heightened security measures and changing passenger expectations, the design of International terminals may play a large a role as they ever have in delivering a positive experience to international travelers.

The LEED Debate: Is Your Building Really "Green"?

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:41:45 GMT

If you’ve recently invested a significant amount of money and effort to design your building around LEED guidelines in order to receive that coveted LEED certification, you probably don’t want to hear someone tell you that your building might not actually be very “green”. But in recent months, a number of articles and studies have been published which argue that LEED buildings in particular aren’t living up to their hype. As a designer, it’s my job to stay up-to-date on the latest sustainability rating systems and guidelines, so what’s my take on the LEED debate?

Improve Quality of Care While Reducing Operational Costs

Fri, 04 May 2012 07:47:21 GMT

Improve quality of care, reduce costs – does that sound familiar? These days, hospitals across the country are increasingly being asked to do more with less and are expected to improve their level of care while cutting expenses. I recently participated with a team of designers at GS&P in developing a design response to Kaiser Permanente’s Small Hospital Big Idea competition which challenged the design community to propose meaningful change in support of how this notion could become a reality.

Designers To The Rescue: The Role of Hospital Design In Improving Patient Safety

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:09:58 GMT

As a healthcare researcher, patient safety – and its relationship to hospital design – has been one of my primary focuses over the years. The link between the physical environment and health-related outcomes is undeniable, and the healthcare industry is directing more and more time and energy to understanding how successful design can improve patient safety across the board. And as the medical community turns to architects and designers for answers, evidence-based design takes center stage.

How to Choose a Design-Build Teaming Partner

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:51:32 GMT

Have you seen the television show The Amazing Race? I always find it entertaining to watch the dynamics of the teams as they compete in challenges that take them to cities and countries around the world in the quest to win $1 million. You can almost predict at the start of the season which teams will be strong contenders, and which ones will provide the most entertainment due to their bickering, overall antics and inability to efficiently complete the tasks.

Forgive the leap, but thinking about how I'd choose a partner to go on the Amazing Race drew parallels to how I go about selecting a Contractor partner to successfully win and complete a design-build project. When delivering a project using the Design-Build delivery method, just like any other project, you want to have a team of qualified design and construction professionals. But, what differs with D/B is that this team is operating under a single contract with a single source of accountability and responsibility to the Owner. Just like in the Amazing Race - you are in this together, and no matter how strong one member is, the project's success will rely on how well the entire team can work together.

The Rise of Mobile Technology in the Healthcare Arena

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:57:32 GMT

My colleague Jack Weber recently reminded us in a GS&P Dialogue post that, for most things design-related, "there’s an app for that." In the healthcare arena, this statement is also becoming more of a reality every day as our healthcare clients grow increasingly interested in emerging technology trends. So what does this mean for us as architects and designers?

No Boundaries: Technology & Connectivity In Design

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:54:22 GMT

As architects and designers, we often ask: What's the catalyst for open, collaborative offices becoming so popular so fast? And what's allowing us to successfully create these spaces for our clients?

We talk plenty about workplace design theories and practices, but now let's discuss the role of technology in motivating and facilitating the workplace design revolution.

Designing to Improve Workers' Health

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:49:53 GMT

We have all read the news articles and heard the radio reports that our nation is getting heavier and that the obesity epidemic is growing exponentially. My home state of Tennessee is one of America's most unhealthy: it currently ranks 46th in adult obesity (and was 48th in 2010!). Other States where GS&P has office locations are nearly as unhealthy. Go here to see how your state measures up: http://healthyamericans.org/report/88/

So what can we as designers do to make healthy choices easier and more obvious? The design of the built environment (in architecture, interior design and urban design) can greatly increase daily users' physical activity in order to promote these regular instances of physical activity. According to research, workers spend as much of 90% of their time indoors, engaged in sedentary occupations. Providing opportunities to use the stairs, to walk to the copy machine, or to workout without leaving the building break up long periods of inactivity and provide easily accessible ways to engage in physical activity.

Designing (Not Documenting) For LEED

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:29:14 GMT

Ask any architect, engineer or designer for his thoughts on LEED certification, and you’ll likely get a mixed bag of reactions. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as a green building certification system, LEED has only been around for a decade or so, and its popularity didn’t start to boom until fairly recently. As it’s gained prominence in design firms and organizations, professionals in my industry have not only become familiar with the many benefits of LEED certification, but we’ve also become familiar with its difficulties.

Does Office Design Affect An Employee's Mood?

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:45:05 GMT

Does the design of your office affect the mood of your employees? The Wall Street Journal and NPR recently reported on research studies conducted by a variety of institutions that support an answer of "yes" to architecture and design not only influencing our mood, but also our thoughts and our health.

I've been an interior designer for more than 25 years, and I live for this type of information. Our job as designers is to translate this research evidence into the design solutions we develop for our clients each day - creating a smarter office space that helps them to achieve their unique goals. The news coverage got me thinking of examples of how our team has utilized research evidence in recent office designs.

September 11 Ten Years Later - How Are We Doing?

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:25:13 GMT

It's no secret that we are fast approaching the tenth anniversary of the event that not only changed the lives of Americans nationwide, but also greatly impacted the ways by which they travel. That dreadful day in September of 2001 will never be forgotten, some people being impacted more than others, as the worst act of terrorism on US soil. As I sit here in seat 6A at 35,000 feet during one of my many travels, having traversed a crowded checkpoint line almost missing my flight, I find myself reflecting over the past ten years and asking - how are we doing?

Aviation security is a tricky business. You want the traveling public to feel safe when they travel, but you do not want them to feel violated by the ways you provide that security. You want terminal facilities to remain the open, airy gateway to your city as they were intended - a place where you can meet loved ones and/or have a relaxing meal before you depart. But that has fallen to the way of x-ray equipment and security checkpoint lines. As new advanced technologies and screening processes continue to evolve for the screening of passengers and baggage, air travel safety will also improve. And with the patience of the traveling public, so will the passenger experience.

Airport Passenger Terminals: From Master Plans to Reality

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:58:10 GMT

Transforming the passenger terminal vision contained in your Master Plan Study to the most viable design and construction project requires a balance be established among all stake holders, guided by commonly shared goals.

Terminal planners and architects both embrace the vision that your airport will be the "Gateway" to your community. The common goal that any terminal project should enhance the passenger's experience goes without question. Proposing short term design solutions to meet the needs of passengers, airlines, airport tenants and administrations are relatively easy, and stake holders can generally agree on a direction without much debate. However, long term terminal development plans require a higher level of insight, trust and imagination by all parties.

Job Well Done; The Impact of Recognition

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:53:44 GMT

"Job well done!" What does reading those words do to you? Recognition causes a wide variety of emotional responses in people. To some it may lift spirits after several long weeks or months of hard work. To others it may reaffirm that the difficult project decisions that they had to make were the right ones. Maybe you realize how valuable another member of your team was in achieving success. As a designer, recognition of one of your projects could mean the culmination of several years of intense study, research, apprenticeship and teamwork into a single deliverable that is now recognized as good design.

VanderbiltHealth at One Hundred Oaks is a {Green} Star!

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:28:27 GMT

There was a great turn out for the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the USGBC's recent Green Star Awards event. The recognition event was held downtown just around the corner from our Nashville office at the Rymer Gallery. While the peer to peer event was about celebrating this year's award-winning local projects that have had a positive impact on the environment, there was a true sense of respect among those in attendance for the impact we are making on our community through our collective efforts.

Five projects were honored with awards in varying categories – and I was proud to represent GS&P for our work on VanderbiltHealth at One Hundred Oaks (OHO) which was awarded in the Existing Building category. Bobby Otten, Vanderbilt's project manager, and I made a short presentation to the group which hit on the highlights of the project, while also paying special attention to the details the jury (comprised of members of the East Tennessee USGBC Chapter) noted in their selection of the project to receive an award.

Lessons Lived and Learned on Designing Our Tenant Office Space for LEED Certification

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:55:53 GMT

In reviewing your real estate portfolio, have you ever questioned the importance or significance that LEED Certification might have? Is it just a fad that has already seen its peak? Is the process simply too much to endure? If you don't have a budget to renovate much, is Certification out of reach?

We asked ourselves all of these questions and more before GS&P's Jacksonville office went through the LEED-Certification process and I'm proud to say I've lived to tell the tale. It was an eye-opener to see the employee excitement and engagement as we went through the process. We were surprised by the interest and participation from our landlord and we couldn't have predicted the impact of the intangible benefits we've experienced since the completion.

"If I were in your shoes" - Designing for the Alzheimer’s Patient Clinical Experience

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:20:45 GMT

It is estimated that there are more than 5.1 million people in the U.S. today who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. If you have not had the opportunity to spend time with a family member or friend who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, it is an eye opening experience. My initial exposure to the disease was during a typical annual trip up north to visit my grandmother. At first, it seemed as though she was behaving normally. She was excited to see me - smiling, talking, and moving about without difficulty. She appeared to be taking care of herself quite well. However, it was during our later conversations about the past, while perusing old photos, and discussing more recent events that I noticed she could not retain simple details we had talked about just 5 minutes prior. The answer seemed simple to me; to just speak more slowly, repeat my answers to her questions. I thought I understood what she was experiencing.

Protecting Patients From Themselves, and More

Wed, 18 May 2011 08:30:18 GMT

A distraught patient admitted to a behavioral health unit at a major teaching hospital is found hanging from a closet door, having committed suicide sometime between 15-minute security checks. This scenario is all too common. Approximately 1,500 suicides occur each year in inpatient hospital units. Suicide is the leading cause of violent deaths in the United States, and ranks as the 11th most common cause of death in our country. In fear, we lock our car doors when driving through the “bad part of town”, often without realizing that nearly twice as many people die from suicide than homicide each year. Keep locking your doors, but don’t dismiss the fact that suicide is a real threat for many in our population, both young and old, suffering from addictions, unfortunate circumstances, or mental illness.

The Sustainable Development Conversation is Changing

Wed, 11 May 2011 11:33:37 GMT

The conversation regarding sustainable development has evolved to include more than just what LEED is and what sustainability might mean for a project's budget. At some point in the last two years we’ve passed a tipping point where most clients who are about to invest substantial money in construction of a new or expanded facility expect that sustainability will be a key component of that investment.

According to the USGBC LEED database, there are more than 60 LEED certified projects and well more than 200 projects currently registered in Tennessee. While this by no means represents market saturation, it seems to me that this level of activity indicates that the conversation has become quite common.

The Pros and Cons of Single Family NICU Rooms

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:30:12 GMT

For no apparent reason my son, Noah, was born five weeks early. That may seem like no big deal, but when you’re a first-time parent and your tiny baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) attached to all sorts of devices… it's a REALLY big deal. I gave birth in what is known as the “baby factory”, a metropolitan hospital in the southeast which delivers approximately 18,000 babies each year. The care we received was outstanding. The neonatologists and NICU nurses were incredible. I’ll never forget Nurse “Q” as she cuddled my son and affectionately called him Boo Boo.

In spite of the high quality of care we received, I was uncomfortable in the NICU environment. As I passed by, I glanced at the other NICU babies (although I knew I shouldn’t stare), some much smaller than my own. I was intimidated by the tubes and needles and beeping alarms all around. I felt uncomfortable trying to breastfeed with just a privacy curtain separating me from the others in the room. The nurses recommended we provide our baby with skin-to-skin contact (known as “kangaroo care”), but that too felt awkward given the limited privacy, so I didn’t do it much. As my son’s condition improved over the next several days, he was moved into a room that housed only three infants, and I was more comfortable in that environment. Of course Noah was healthier too, so that eased my mind.

Are You There Airport Director? It's Me, the Terminal

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:05:02 GMT

Dear Airport Director,

Excuse me, but have you seen me lately? I'm not exactly a spring chicken any more. Us boomers have to look after ourselves you know. A few upgrades would go a long way to bridging the gap between today and retirement. I think you should really consider a few investments in this terminal body.

Have you seen my friends CHO and TPA? Wow, are they looking good! Refurbished terrazzo, no more spalling, no more dull spots. Good to go for many more years and the updates help them to become easier to maintain too.

Have you heard the talk about how energy efficient I could become? New energy efficient light fixtures would almost pay for themselves. And the cost to keep me conditioned? An upgrade here or there could save energy and lower some bills. It wouldn't hurt to save some money now to put into my retirement account.

Standardized Environments and Same-Handed Rooms; The Debate Continues

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:50:57 GMT

Throughout my professional career I've been focused on designing healthcare environments. Over the past several years, I'm glad to say that I've seen a steady increased interest in correlating how facility design can directly impact healthcare and healing environments. With this week marking the 9th annual National Patient Safety Awareness Week, I thought it appropriate to stir the debate on standardization and same-handed room design. This is a topic on which everyone seems to have an opinion.

Holiday Wrapping: The New Atlanta International Terminal

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:01:10 GMT

The holiday season is upon us and if you are like me, you are frantically working to wrap all of your last-minute gifts. However, I am pleased to say that the new 1.2-million square-foot Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal shell in Atlanta is wrapped. Construction on the interiors will continue through next year with a Spring 2012 targeted opening.

View this virtual fly-through video of the project:

Airport Parking: The Evolution of Efficient Intermodal Facilities

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:27:32 GMT

As trends in airport parking continue to evolve, planning efforts must look beyond the forecasted growth to consider system integration of current and future technologies; and to synchronize the processing of passengers and luggage with the passenger terminal building.

Can You Handle It?

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:24:36 GMT

Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) continue to evolve with a focus on creating a better staff and passenger experience, greater efficiencies and increased safety. Automation and self-service options have long been utilized as ways of improving services and increasing productivity.

The advent of "no-lift" designs at ticket counters has improved the level of automation in recent years. As installed in the Alaska Airlines terminal at Anchorage International Airport (ANC), the ticket counter take away belt runs perpendicular to the main take away. The passenger sets a bag on the belt to be weighed; when complete the belt advances to the main take away and from there to the BHS matrix for level 1 screening. This process helps to reduce the repetitive strain injury associated with such tasks typically performed by an airline or TSA agent, thus reducing workers compensation claims and operational costs. Recently this "no-lift" design approach has evolved to the baggage inspection rooms, where such devices allow the TSA to perform trace detection without the need to lift and carry the bag from alarm line to ETD table, and then to a cleared bag line.