Redesigning the Health care Industry One Waiting Room at a Time
By Holly Burns
- to feed and protect
- to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster
- to bring up; train; educate
Somewhere between my thesis and the beginning of a New Year and a new term, there was a moment when I ran out of inspiration. Some might say I needed to be nurtured. Or others, like my dad, might say I needed to stop burning the candle at both ends. However, lucky for me, a fellow editor believed the former and shared some inspiration with me through Nurture, designs for the healthcare industry. Just learning more about Nurture gave me a sense of peace and calm as clean yet warm images of interiors paired with soothing words moved across my screen (I’m serious).
Nurture is the brainchild of Steelcase, an international pioneer in designing office furniture and environments. To some, it’s not surprising that Steelcase has created this innovative concept that pays special attention to design within the healthcare industry. I like to credit Steelcase’s previous successes to the fact that, like many other amazing things, it was founded in the Midwest (yes, I’m from there as well).Others might credit its success to experience. Steelcase had many years to get behind design thinking as Steelcase himself has been around since 1912. During that time they have recognized the design needs of a changing world and they are committed to designing furniture with a cradle to cradle vision.
Through my research and exploration, Nurture acts like an example for the health care industry. According to the website, Steelcase team members research and visit hospitals to observe how occupants use the spaces, They gather perspectives from caregivers, patients, and family members. The deployment of strategic design is working to improve the wellness of healthcare. And, of course such a holistic company wouldn’t leave environmental awareness out of the equation: “No matter how we approach a given healthcare environment, we’ll always be mindful of the environment we all share. Because, ultimately, doing what’s right doesn’t cost more.”
I won’t hold you up from navigating their website to find out more. But I will ask, where was Nurture when my doctors’ office was designing their space? Because that shabby, old chair with the stain on the seat in the hallway-sized waiting room with the duck art on the clam chowder-colored walls didnt do anything for me except add to my nausea.
