Page 20 - Layout 1

ARCHITECTURE
& DESIGN

continued from page 19

The design achieves a minimal footprint, respects
the existing vegetation and characteristics, and incor-
porates an assembly of natural materials. As with the
Mays Center, openness is a design imperative. “Large
windows in the lobby and operatory areas afforded
parents the ability to watch their kids from the inside
lobby, as well as offer beautiful views for the patient
and staff during treatment,” says Puchot.
Despite the greater investment, private healthcare
providers actively seek innovative approaches to deliv-
ery design, assures Puchot: “With fee for service going
away, consumer driven healthcare requires improving
the quality of healthcare delivery.”
Rapid changes in technology are having their own
impact. “Technology certainly keeps healthcare on its toes, espe- “A recent project RVK completed, the Gonzaba Medical
cially when it comes to design,” continues Puchot, “the technol- Group Northwest Clinic, integrated wall-mounted touchscreens
ogy footprint always needs to be accommodated into the so that caregivers could pull up charts and anatomy photos to
infrastructure.” The challenge is not to lose the human being in help explain a diagnosis,” says Puchot.
the midst of tech-centric medicine. “Wireless handhelds and Understanding the impact of design on therapy keeps archi-
touchpads are now allowing more face-to-face interaction with tects in a mode of lifelong learning. In the design of the new Vet-
the patient, rather than a patient talking while the caregiver types erans Affairs Polytrauma Healthcare/Rehabilitation Center, “We
away on a computer on the wall.” had to learn a lot about traumatic brain injuries, how they mani-

20 San Antonio Medicine • September 2018