By 2030, a fifth of the U.S. population will be 65 or older, according to the Census Bureau. This cohort and succeeding generations are expected to live longer than their predecessors, and remain much more active into their later years.
TOP 90 HEALTHCARE ARCHITECTURE FIRMS
Rank, Firm, 2015 Revenue
1. HDR $189,259,600
2. Stantec $169,505,425
3. Perkins+Will $147,640,000
4. HKS $134,427,510
5. CannonDesign $130,000,000
6. SmithGroupJJR $80,272,000
7. NBBJ $80,000,000
8. CallisonRTKL $69,955,000
9. HGA $67,221,000
10. HOK $59,887,000
TOP 100 HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION FIRMS
Rank, Firm, 2015 Revenue
1. Turner Construction Co. $2,013,969,043
2. McCarthy Holdings $974,575,751
3. Skanska USA $909,329,296
4. Brasfield & Gorrie $889,780,920
5. JE Dunn Construction $775,645,914
6. DPR Construction $752,608,000
7. Robins & Morton $629,700,000
8. PCL Construction Enterprises $612,506,352
9. Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., The $536,246,481
10. Gilbane Building Co. $503,914,000
TOP 80 HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING FIRMS
Rank, Firm, 2015 Revenue
1. AECOM $90,000,000
2. Jacobs $78,010,000
3. WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff $55,480,000
4. BR+A Consulting Engineers $46,000,000
5. KJWW / TTG $39,820,000
6. Smith Seckman Reid $38,668,017
7. Affiliated Engineers $36,208,000
8. BSA LifeStructures $31,488,415
9. Mazzetti $25,966,258
10. TLC Engineering for Architecture $21,012,432
Michael Steiner, AIA, LEED AP, an Associate with Corgan, recently collaborated with the firm’s Francie Abell, Interior Designer, and Landon Moore, Architect, on an age-simulation research project. The goal: to better understand the stresses and anxieties that the 65+ and the mobility-impaired population face when navigating spaces like medical facilities, workplaces, schools, and airports.
“The goal is to elevate awareness of this issue and make sure that we’re designing with these folks in mind,” says Steiner.
At the heart of the Corgan study is the GERontologic Test suit (GERT), an age-simulation ensemble that incorporates weights, gloves, glasses, wraps, and headphones that tack 40 years of wear and tear on the user.
Using the GERT suit, Corgan designers experienced first-hand the difficulties that the elderly and mobility impaired confront every day. They walked through four Corgan-designed buildings—Dallas Love Field Airport; Daugherty Elementary, Garland, Texas; Moncrief Cancer Institute, Fort Worth; and Corgan’s headquarters in Dallas. They completed a series of tasks at each location, once wearing the GERT suit and once without.
Simple exercises—grabbing a can of soda from a refrigerator, pulling a roller suitcase through an airport terminal, carrying books down a school hallway, climbing a staircase, working on a desktop computer, taking notes, locating a specific binder on a bookshelf—were excruciatingly difficult for many of the users.
It took participants 52–73% longer to complete the tasks with the GERT suit on than without it.
LESSONS LEARNED
Based on their observations (see below), Corgan’s team offers the following takeaways:
• Consider wayfinding strategies with multiple elements and large signs. Participants tended to look down and reacted more slowly, which led them to miss signage. Wayfinding strategies that incorporate both floor and wall elements could help improve communication.
• Investigate signage locations with areas of bright light and intense shadow. Consider films or frits to help reduce the amount of glare and strong shadows. Minimize the use of white finishes in brightly lit spaces, which can cause glare.
• Include “fatigue mitigation” stations. Break up long distances with areas where occupants can rest and confirm the correct direction.
• Avoid changes in level along primary pathways. Make sure elevator/escalator cores are readily visible and accessible.
Design with multiple senses in mind. Some users use sight, others depend on touch, sound, or smell.
• Provide seating of different levels (e.g., standard seats, high seats, and something to lean on).
• White text on green was by far the most preferred signage method. White text on blue was also very effective. Backlit signage is highly recommended.
• Avoid using low, protruding objects, such as low chairs and tables.
For more: http://tinyurl.com/CorganAge.
RETURN TO THE GIANTS 300 LANDING PAGE
Related Stories
Intelligent Lighting | Feb 13, 2023
Exploring intelligent lighting usage in healthcare, commercial facilities
SSR's Todd Herrmann, PE, LEEP AP, explains intelligent lighting's potential use cases in healthcare facilities and more.
Giants 400 | Feb 9, 2023
New Giants 400 download: Get the complete at-a-glance 2022 Giants 400 rankings in Excel
See how your architecture, engineering, or construction firm stacks up against the nation's AEC Giants. For more than 45 years, the editors of Building Design+Construction have surveyed the largest AEC firms in the U.S./Canada to create the annual Giants 400 report. This year, a record 519 firms participated in the Giants 400 report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023
2022 Reconstruction Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. building reconstruction and renovation sector
Gensler, Stantec, IPS, Alfa Tech, STO Building Group, and Turner Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest reconstruction sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Healthcare Facilities | Jan 31, 2023
How to solve humidity issues in hospitals and healthcare facilities
Humidity control is one of the top mechanical issues healthcare clients face. SSR's Lee Nordholm, PE, LEED AP, offers tips for handling humidity issues in hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Augmented Reality | Jan 27, 2023
Enhancing our M.O.O.D. through augmented reality therapy rooms
Perkins Eastman’s M.O.O.D. Space aims to make mental healthcare more accessible—and mental health more achievable.
Hospital Design Trends | Jan 19, 2023
Maximizing access for everyone: A closer look at universal design in healthcare facilities
Maria Sanchez, Interior Designer at Gresham Smith, shares how universal design bolsters empathy and equity in healthcare facilities.
Fire and Life Safety | Jan 9, 2023
Why lithium-ion batteries pose fire safety concerns for buildings
Lithium-ion batteries have become the dominant technology in phones, laptops, scooters, electric bikes, electric vehicles, and large-scale battery energy storage facilities. Here’s what you need to know about the fire safety concerns they pose for building owners and occupants.
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 20, 2022
4 triage design innovations for shorter wait times
Perkins and Will shares a nurse's insights on triage design, and how to help emergency departments make the most of their resources.
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 20, 2022
Designing for a first-in-the-world proton therapy cancer treatment system
Gresham Smith begins designing four proton therapy vaults for a Flint, Mich., medical center.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Dec 20, 2022
Acoustic design considerations at the building envelope
Acentech's Ben Markham identifies the primary concerns with acoustic performance at the building envelope and offers proven solutions for mitigating acoustic issues.
