The Center for Health Design

The Center for Health Design Research: We help facilitate research on how the design of the built environment affects outcomes.

The Center for Health Design is a non-profit organization - through design research, education and advocacy we improve and maximize health, safety and wellness in environments where people live, work and heal. A major initiative is the Pebble Project, a unique and dynamic collaborative, where forward-thinking healthcare, design, and industry professionals learn, research, and share information with one another. Our website has more than 40 free research reports and whitepapers that link the built environment to outcomes and searchable databases of relevant research and project examples. Education: Our Evidence-based Design Accreditation & Certification (EDAC) program is an internationally recognized educational program that awards credentials to individuals who demonstrate a thorough understanding of how to apply an evidence-based process to plan and design healthcare facilities. With more than 1,200 certified individuals since its launch in 2009, EDAC is quickly becoming one of the healthcare design industry’s most important credentials. Each year, more than 4,000 individuals attend our annual Healthcare Design conference and 30,000 subscribe to Healthcare Design magazine (both produced by Vendome Group in association with CHD). Advocacy: We recognize and promote excellence in design and leadership through 5 award programs. By providing input into the Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, we are advocating for change in the building codes and standards. A partner in the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, we are an active participant in a coalition of major health systems and organizations committed to improving sustainability and safety across the healthcare sector. Hundreds of individuals and organizations are engaged to support our work and help transform the industry through our affiliate membership program.

Put these upcoming healthcare design events on your calendar! View our March 2026 Upcoming Events newsletter here: https...
03/27/2026

Put these upcoming healthcare design events on your calendar! View our March 2026 Upcoming Events newsletter here: https://loom.ly/3xFufHE

View the recording: https://loom.ly/iSCuEFMThanks to Louis Meilink and Fernanda Pires from Ballinger for sharing a behin...
03/26/2026

View the recording: https://loom.ly/iSCuEFM
Thanks to Louis Meilink and Fernanda Pires from Ballinger for sharing a behind-the-scenes look today at the evidence-based decision-making process they’re using to inform their design decisions in their cancer care facility projects.

Their detailed presentation to our webinar audience provided insights into their design considerations and process, with lots of images as well as select outcomes shared from their post-occupancy evaluations.

Over the next decade, new cancer cases will increase by approximately 20%. And for the period from 2026 to 2035, Precedence Research predicts cancer care facilities will be the fastest-growing facility type. This is valuable information to prepare you and your team for this future.

If you missed it, you can still register to view the recording at your convenience: https://loom.ly/iSCuEFM

Every day, we help healthcare and design professionals, as well as product manufacturers, vendors, and educators, design...
03/26/2026

Every day, we help healthcare and design professionals, as well as product manufacturers, vendors, and educators, design and build safer and more efficient hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and wellness centers through research, education, and community.

When you contribute to The Center for Health Design, you’ll fund efforts for those who are designing and building healthcare facilities in the U.S. and abroad, making them safer and healthier for all. Make a contribution to The Center and make a difference in the future of healthcare. Donate here: https://loom.ly/7kDZaqQ

Can’t attend the webinar? Register here to receive the recording: https://loom.ly/iSCuEFMWith global cancer incidence an...
03/25/2026

Can’t attend the webinar? Register here to receive the recording: https://loom.ly/iSCuEFM
With global cancer incidence and the cost of care projected to rise, oncology environments must evolve to support healing while improving safety, patient experience, and operational performance.

As care shifts from acute treatment to long-term management, facilities must accommodate repeat visits and new care models. Drawing on trend data, post-occupancy evaluations, and literature reviews, this session explores how evidence-based design can respond.

Featuring three cancer care facilities in Pennsylvania, New York City, and Nebraska, Louis A. Meilink and Fernanda Pires of Ballinger will examine decentralized care stations and key environmental factors affecting safety, communication, and efficiency—demonstrating how evidence-based design supports resilient, patient-centered oncology environments. Affiliate discounts apply.

The Froedtert Hospital Emergency Department Expansion is designed to be nimble, tackling immediate challenges like inpat...
03/25/2026

The Froedtert Hospital Emergency Department Expansion is designed to be nimble, tackling immediate challenges like inpatient bed shortages and uncertainty in patient volumes while remaining adaptable to future needs.

The HGA design team employed Lean 3P and EBD (evidence-based design) methodologies to create resilient solutions that address uncertainty and surge conditions. The resulting design responds to current demands while supporting future flexibility through operational efficiency and adaptability, establishing a resilient model for future growth.

Although construction of this project is not yet complete, the team has done a commendable job planning for the POE and the updating of the business case. Jurors commented that this project clearly demonstrates a rigorous, collaborative, and evidence-based approach linking vision, goals, and outcomes. The business case demonstrates how operational efficiency, throughput, patient safety, and staff well-being intersect with financial performance. Read more about the 2026 Gold Touchstone Award recipient here: https://loom.ly/EeI8HYc

Join us on April 9 for the Health Design Collaborative session, Designing the Modern Emergency Department: What’s Change...
03/25/2026

Join us on April 9 for the Health Design Collaborative session, Designing the Modern Emergency Department: What’s Changed and What Matters Now. Today’s emergency department is no longer just one point of entry—it is the front door of the hospital with unique challenges impacting revenue, safety, throughput, and reputation.

Hear from Kevin Meek of Haskell, Sara K. Wengert of architecture+, and Gaurav Khadse of Texas Children's Hospital, as they explore in three short presentations how the demands on emergency departments in three distinct settings – acute care, pediatric, and behavioral and mental health environments – have fundamentally shifted, and how design is evolving in response. Collaborative participation is open to professionals from healthcare, architecture, design, and general contractor organizations only. Learn more and register: https://loom.ly/tPxvHdM

With global cancer incidence and the cost of care projected to rise, oncology environments must evolve to support healin...
03/24/2026

With global cancer incidence and the cost of care projected to rise, oncology environments must evolve to support healing while improving safety, patient experience, and operational performance.

As care shifts from acute treatment to long-term management, facilities must accommodate repeat visits and new care models. Drawing on trend data, post-occupancy evaluations, and literature reviews, this session explores how evidence-based design can respond.

Featuring three cancer care facilities in Pennsylvania, New York City, and Nebraska, Louis A. Meilink and Fernanda Pires of Ballinger will examine decentralized care stations and key environmental factors affecting safety, communication, and efficiency—demonstrating how evidence-based design supports resilient, patient-centered oncology environments. Affiliate discounts apply. Learn more and register: https://loom.ly/iSCuEFM

Our Center Stage newsletter provides an opportunity for our healthcare design community to learn more about products, se...
03/24/2026

Our Center Stage newsletter provides an opportunity for our healthcare design community to learn more about products, services and solutions available to support new construction and renovation projects.

This month's Center Stage features the Oakley guest and lounge seating collection by Stance Healthcare; Whitehall Manufacturing's Single Occupancy Suite for behavioral healthcare; and Steelcase's collaboration on the Mammel Innovation Center. View this month's Center Stage newsletter here: https://loom.ly/OFq_jfg

Mental health issues are faced by individuals around the world in every culture and age group. According to the World He...
03/23/2026

Mental health issues are faced by individuals around the world in every culture and age group. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one third of the adult population worldwide suffers from a mental disorder such as anxiety, depression or schizophrenia.

Watch the webinar The Spaces In-between: Changing Policy by Design in our Behavioral & Mental Health Toolbox sponsored by Accurate Lock & Hardware Co., Altro Americas, architecture+, ModuForm, Inc and Whitehall Manufacturing to hear how we can create more supportive environments for a population with increasing needs. Visit the toolbox: https://loom.ly/P7yT99M

We are now accepting proposals for the Joseph G. Sprague New Investigator Award! Presented by The Center, we will award ...
03/23/2026

We are now accepting proposals for the Joseph G. Sprague New Investigator Award! Presented by The Center, we will award up to $15,000 to support high quality research by new investigators around the world, whose research can fill critical gaps in the field of evidence-based design.

The award is open to graduate students, and other recent research degree recipients whose contributions reflect their potential to conduct original, empirical research to improve our understanding of the relationships between the physical environment and health-related outcomes & wellness. To learn more about submissions, follow this link: https://loom.ly/iAamALg

The Sun Devil 100 honors the growth and leadership of Arizona State University alumni-led organizations making an impact...
03/20/2026

The Sun Devil 100 honors the growth and leadership of Arizona State University alumni-led organizations making an impact across industries. We’re proud to share that our President and CEO, Debra Levin, has been recognized as part of the Class of 2026. Each year, the ASU Alumni Association honors global business leaders who exemplify innovation, growth, and entrepreneurial spirit, and we’re proud to see her recognized among them.
Learn more here: https://loom.ly/mMU87zs

With industry news, current trends, field reports, and more, can help you take on the unique challenges facing the hea...
03/20/2026

With industry news, current trends, field reports, and more, can help you take on the unique challenges facing the health facility design, construction and operations communities. Get a free two-year digital subscription today: https://loom.ly/tc62m_4

Address

1850 Gateway Boulevard, Ste 1083
Concord, CA
94520

Telephone

+19255219404

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Center for Health Design posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Center for Health Design:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

Our Story

Research: We help facilitate research on how the design of the built environment affects outcomes. A major initiative is the Pebble Project, a unique and dynamic collaborative, where forward-thinking healthcare, design, and industry professionals learn, research, and share information with one another. Our website has more than 40 free research reports and whitepapers that link the built environment to outcomes and searchable databases of relevant research and project examples. Education: Our Evidence-based Design Accreditation & Certification (EDAC) program is an internationally recognized educational program that awards credentials to individuals who demonstrate a thorough understanding of how to apply an evidence-based process to plan and design healthcare facilities. With more than 1,200 certified individuals since its launch in 2009, EDAC is quickly becoming one of the healthcare design industry’s most important credentials. Each year, more than 4,000 individuals attend our annual Healthcare Design conference and 30,000 subscribe to Healthcare Design magazine (both produced by Vendome Group in association with CHD). Advocacy: We recognize and promote excellence in design and leadership through 5 award programs. By providing input into the Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, we are advocating for change in the building codes and standards. A partner in the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, we are an active participant in a coalition of major health systems and organizations committed to improving sustainability and safety across the healthcare sector. Hundreds of individuals and organizations are engaged to support our work and help transform the industry through our affiliate membership program.