Academic Health Centers
Where Care, Research, Education and Community Collide
Academic health centers around the globe develop at many scales and target a wide variety of goals and aims. They foster collaboration between disciplines to develop new and improved medical treatments and boost the local economy. What each has in common is an academic health organization serving as a primary anchor for a defined geographic area, with shared and mutually-beneficial planning goals among stakeholders and the broader community.
We understand how to support the mission and business of academic health centers in a unique way — from healthcare, research and education facilities to campus master planning, resiliency and community development, we have experience with the most prestigious institutions in the world.
Explore Our Approach
With a focus on the depth and breadth of our expertise and experience with academic health centers, we’ve documented the most helpful information focused on strategy, planning and facility execution.
In this series, June Hanley details the complexities of the spaces we create for health sciences education and examines both the changes that have taken place and the changes still to come.
The Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
The Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
The Pavilion completed the final piece of a complex masterplan for the campus which included medical education, translational research , and outpatient center for advanced medicine. The unique character of the centralized critical mass of research, education and clinical care serves as a catalyst for development and connectivity within and between institutions.
Johns Hopkins All Children's Research & Education Facility
A first step in a complimentary academic health center for the Johns Hopkins Baltimore campus, this facility brought their clinical and translational research model of care to a children's hospital in Florida. The best ideas of the Baltimore campus have been translated and advanced for this St. Petersburg research and education building, bringing together four key institutes: neurosciences, cancer, cardiology, and neonatology.
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
After its first year in operation, this cancer center brought in 13 new physicians and sciences and saw an 80% increase in patients in cancer clinical trials. An integration of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine, this translational facility for cancer care and research has influenced future projects on the campus.
Sheltering Arms Institute
This institute is a collaboration between Sheltering Arms and VCU Health and successfully consolidated three hospital units into one translational center of excellence. The design integrates research with clinical care, incorporates rehabilitative innovations and technologies to clinical practice, and improves the quality of the patient and family therapeutic experience.
MD Anderson Zayed Building for Personalized Cancer Care
A transformative translational health sciences facility, the Zayed building is comprised of four wings that spring from a central hub. Co-located scientists of various disciplines promotes interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer and exchange of ideas.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
AHC Expertise
"Academic health centers have a unique opportunity to drive innovation and advance healthcare through translational design that bridges science and clinical practice."
"Current trends in education emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, patient-centered care, and innovative technologies to prepare students for rapid evolution."
"Integrating research and education creates dynamic learning environments that foster innovation, train the next generation, and accelerate translation of discoveries."
"Data-driven planning leads to evidence-based decisions that optimize resource allocation, enhance care, and promote innovation in research and education."
"Integrating education among health professions breaks down silos, enhances communication, and promotes teamwork, ultimately leading to better outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system."
"Effective strategic planning at academic health campuses requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating all goals and perspectives to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence."
"Academic cancer center design should prioritize collaboration, patient-centered care, and cutting-edge technology to facilitate personalized cancer treatments and improve patient outcomes and experience."
"Strategic design of academic health center campuses can foster a sense of community and collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and students, and promote innovation and excellence."
Designing Transformative Research Environments with Risk-Based Zoning
Science is rapidly changing, driving the need for new design and planning solutions for research environments. However, creating transformative research environments — be it higher education, clinical, biotech, etc. — can only be achieved by clearly understanding the benefits to both individual principal investigators and institutions as a whole.
Data Wrangler: In Two Parts
In part one, we detail how the integration of Data Wrangler into our design processes can develop more robust early-stage conceptual models with custom metadata.
In part two, we explore case examples where we’ve seen Data Wrangler make a true difference on projects.
