Healthcare-Design

EPISODES

Episode 35: Jennifer Aliber, Principal at Shepley Bulfinch

PART 1

Jennifer Aliber, Principal at Shepley Bulfinch, a national architecture firm known to challenge convention, pioneer visionary design & collaborate with clients is our guest today on the podcast. In part one of today’s episode, Jennifer shares her thoughts on how hospitals and healthcare systems can be better prepared for future pandemic outbreaks in the United States. Jennifer shares, “I’m pretty sure architects are going to be spending a lot of time over the next two years trying to think about how to protect both patients and staff from pandemics.” In this episode you will get insight into the brain of one of the oldest architecture firms continuing existence in North America, and learn what innovations are on the horizon for hospitals and healthcare systems.

Learn more about Jennifer Aliber and Shepley Bulfinch by visiting https://shepleybulfinch.com/.

In Part 1 of Cheryl’s conversation with Jennifer Aliber, they discuss:

  • What Jennifer and Shepley Bulfinch were up to in the five years prior to the pandemic and what changed overnight when COVID-19 hit the United States.
  • How can hospitals and healthcare systems be better prepared for future pandemic outbreaks in the United States?
  • How do we design hospitals in the future, and existing hospitals so we have facilities that allow various types of patients (including those with COVID-19) to get the care they need)?
  • What was Jennifer surprised about in the aftermath of the pandemic and how hospitals have responded?
  • Are hospital clients and partners now more open to making changes than they were prior to pandemic.
  • To what extent do healthcare architects have a moral obligation to educate their clients on the best safety and infectious disease prevention protocols, even if that means it might threaten their relationship with their client in some way.
  • Why Jennifer regrets not bringing the infectious disease control issue to the forefront to her colleagues, prior to the pandemic.
  • What does designing for an infectious world now look like from Jennifer’s seat?
  • Why are virtual office visits on the rise?
  • What inspired and nurtured Jennifer over the years to remain at Shepley Bulfinch?
  • How have hospitals and healthcare facilities evolved over the years Jennifer has been at her firm?
  • Learn about the history of Shepley Bulfinch and how it transitioned from all white men to to a firm that is woman led and women owned.
  • How does Shepley Bulfinch challenge convention?
  • What was unique about the firm’s Dartmouth-Hitchcock health care system and what big design innovation did they apply to the project?

Thank you to our industry partner, The Center for Health Design. To learn more about CHD’s new program MakingRoom, Connecting hotels and hospitals with urgent needs for space, please visit, https://www.healthdesign.org/makingroom.

Additional support for this podcast comes from our industry partners:

  • The American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers
  • The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design

Learn more about how to become a Certified Healthcare Interior Designer®  by visiting the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers at: https://aahid.org/.

Connect to a community interested in supporting clinician involvement in design and construction of the built environment by visiting The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design at https://www.nursingihd.com/.


PART 2

In part 2 of Cheryl’s conversation with Jennifer Aliber, Principal at Shepley Bulfinch, Cheryl asks Jennifer, “What specific design changes will we see in the hospital and healthcare setting?” Jennifer begins to answer this question with, “I like to think about anything I don’t like as a patient because I know if I hate it, other people will hate it. This gives us an opportunity to rethink things like standing in line.”  Hear Jennifer’s complete answer to this question and so much more on the changing face of healthcare design on Part 2 of today’s episode.

Learn more about Jennifer Aliber and Shepley Bulfinch by visiting https://shepleybulfinch.com/.

In Part 2 of Cheryl’s conversation with Jennifer Aliber, you will learn:

  • What does Jennifer enjoy about complex projects?
  • What does Shepley Bulfinch look for in those they ask to join their team?
  • How will Shepley Bulfinch address social distancing in common areas of the hospital or healthcare facility?
  • Why greenspaces are vital to all of Shepley Bulfinch’s projects as respite spaces and how that is now changing to multi-use areas.
  • How is technology playing a role in creating new best practices post-COVID.
  • What does Jennifer mean when she says, “I’ve suggested to owners for a long time that they have to stop thinking of hospitals and healthcare and they have to think about the entire world of experience?”
  • Is there a way healthcare architects and designers can help front line healthcare worker burnout and exhaustion?
  • The details behind Shepley Bulfinch’s 2020 AZRE RED Awards, Winner, Healthcare Project of the Year for Banner Health, Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, New Patient Tower.
  • The history of Shepley Bulfinch’s project at The Hale Family Clinical Building with The Boston’s Children’s Hospital.
  • How did Jennifer land at Shepley Bulfinch? What led her to healthcare architecture?
  • What will hospitals look like in the year 2040?

Thank you to our industry partner, The Center for Health Design. To learn more about CHD’s new program MakingRoom, Connecting hotels and hospitals with urgent needs for space, please visit, https://www.healthdesign.org/makingroom.

Additional support for this podcast comes from our industry partners:

  • The American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers
  • The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design

Learn more about how to become a Certified Healthcare Interior Designer®  by visiting the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers at: https://aahid.org/.

Connect to a community interested in supporting clinician involvement in design and construction of the built environment by visiting The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design at https://www.nursingihd.com/

Thank you for listening to today’s episode of Healthcare Interior Design 2.0. If you enjoyed any part of Cheryl’s conversation with Jennifer Aliber, please help our podcast grow by spreading the good word on social media and with your online community. Stay safe and be well. For the full roster of shows, visit http://healthcareidpodcast.com.

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Porcelanosa’s KRION® Solid Surface Material is made out of two-thirds natural minerals and a low percentage of high-resistance resins. KRION® is available in an array of colors, can be thermocurved or backlit, and is antibacterial – making it a perfect product for the healthcare industry. KRION® is also highly resistant to impacts and external elements (such as fire, chemicals, and frost), and is easy to clean and maintain.

Inspired by the properties of photocatalytic materials, Porcelanosa has evolved their KRION® Solid Surface material called K-LIFE. When K-LIFE comes into contact with light, it will be able to purify the air, expel harmful bacteria, and more. K-LIFE can easily be integrated into many applications – from wall coverings and claddings for ceilings, to custom tables, bars, sinks, shelving units and furniture. The application of K-LIFE in areas with high daily traffic, such as waiting rooms or reception areas, can assure a gradual decontamination of germs and lead to ongoing ecological benefits. Some research performed with KRION® K-LIFE, which has photocatalytic properties, proved that the material can significantly reduce the presence of bacteria. This revolutionary process has led to a patent pending, innovative, and exclusive product that will have a direct effect on our quality of life.

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