The health care industry is transforming as new business models emerge to meet the demands of today’s consumers. As life expectancy increases, people are living longer and are seeking conveniently located health care facilities that offer more personal amenities and specialization in clinical areas.

As the Denver metropolitan statistical area real estate market heats up, so goes the medical office building market and the life science market.

The expectations for health care buildings are constantly changing. In today’s world, the current trend is for outpatient spaces meant to serve the needs of interchangeable clinics or specialties as opposed to the more traditional model of customizing each space to the clinic served.

While blending advanced imaging and a cardiovascular surgical environment is attractive, it’s not right for every hospital.

While big-name companies are moving into the metro area to take advantage of the strong employment, concentration of skilled labor and its advanced transportation systems, the health care and wellness workforce continues to drive the region’s employment growth.

With the cost of both health care and construction in Colorado on the rise, the process of building/designing new hospital facilities continues to evolve.

Plants and landscaping used in senior outdoor spaces are other contributing factors in increasing outdoor engagement.

Whether designing a new building or modifying an existing structure, health care projects require in-depth knowledge and expertise to stay current with ever-changing modifications in building codes and health care standards.

In health care design, it is critical for project stakeholders to participate in development of the functional space program, articulating required adjacencies and how facility use and operations must be integrated with space planning.

Installing energy-efficiency lighting, for example, provides a unique opportunity to cut costs, while impacting patient satisfaction and staff performance.