Download the 2026 Healthcare Annual Report
Welcome to Building Design+Construction’s third Healthcare Annual Report. This 60-page special edition of BD+C serves as a “state of the state” update on the $70 billion healthcare construction sector. The 2026 Healthcare Annual Report includes four sections (six reports in all), including the top 10 trends in cancer centers, general hospitals, and outpatient surgery centers; our 2026-27 market outlook for the U.S. healthcare construction sector; an AIA continuing education course on AI, robotics, and other advanced technologies for the healthcare facilities market; and a roundup of innovations from leading healthcare design and construction firms. Enjoy!
- David Barista, Editorial Director
- Quinn Purcell, Managing Editor
- John Caulfield, Contributing Editor
- Robyn Feller, Contributing Editor
- Novid Parsi, Contributing Editor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEET THE EXPERTS
The BD+C editors connected with more than 50 healthcare market experts for this special report. Meet our contributors and sponsors.
SECTION 1
2026-27 HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK
Healthcare construction is expected to outperform other institutional categories in the next few years, but don’t expect a broad-based building boom.
SECTION 2
HEALTHCARE SUBSECTOR TRENDS REPORTS
Top 10 Trends in Outpatient Surgery Centers
Accelerated expansion, coupled with changing regulations, offers opportunities to AEC firms.
Top 10 Trends in General Hospitals
Health systems are caught in a tough bind—between the need to expand and modernize on one side, and the reality of tighter capital planning and increased ROI scrutiny on the other.
Top 10 Trends in Cancer Centers
The next generation of cancer centers are becoming decentralized, flexible, and increasingly focused on patient wellness.
SECTION 3
INNOVATIONS AND IDEAS FOR THE U.S. HEALTHCARE MARKET
Leading healthcare design and construction firms share their top healthcare market innovations for 2026.
SECTION 4
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Designing the Digital Backbone of Future-Ready Healthcare Facilities
Integrated technology infrastructure, robotics, AI, and smart systems are reshaping the design, construction, and operation of modern healthcare environments.