U.S. healthcare building sector trends and innovations for 2024-2025

As new medicines, treatment regimens, and clinical protocols radically alter the medical world, facilities and building environments in which they take form are similarly evolving rapidly. Innovations and trends related to products, materials, assemblies, and building systems for the U.S. healthcare building sector have opened new avenues for better care delivery. Discussions with leading healthcare architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms and owners-operators offer insights into some of the most promising directions. This course is worth 1.0 AIA/HSW learning unit.

Products and Materials

Top building products for July 2024

BD+C Editors break down July's top 15 building products, from Façades by Design to Schweiss Doors's Strap Latch bifold door.

Smart Buildings

A Swiss startup devises an intelligent photovoltaic façade that tracks and moves with the sun

Zurich Soft Robotics says Solskin can reduce building energy consumption by up to 80% while producing up to 40% more electricity than comparable façade systems.

Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.

Healthcare Facilities

From hospitals to research facilities, healthcare buildings are essential to the health of the world’s population, as well as medical innovation. Designing these structures requires a delicate balance of technical requirements with the needs of doctors and patients, but when done right, these designs can save lives.

End of preservation suit allows demolition of iconic modernist structure.

Feb 15, 2013

Preservation lawsuit over Chicago's Prentice Hospital dropped

Preservation lawsuit over Chicago's Prentice Hospital dropped, freeing Northwestern University to demolish it and build a new research facility.

Feb 14, 2013

5 radical trends in outpatient facility design

Building Design+Construction combed the healthcare design and construction sector to evaluate the latest developments in outpatient facility designs. Here are five trends to watch.

Rob Cassidy | Feb 14, 2013

Finally, a look at actual energy use in real buildings, in a real city

New York City’s recent report on energy and water use in 2,065 commercial buildings (totaling more…

Feb 14, 2013

Peter Bardwell named 2013 president of the American College of Healthcare Architects

The Board of Regents of the American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA) has named Peter L. Bardwell, FAIA, FACHA of Columbus, Ohio as 2013 national President.

Feb 6, 2013

George W. Bush Presidential Center among award-winning roofing projects honored by Sika Sarnafil

Winners of the 2012 Contractor Project of the Year Competition were announced this week by Sika Sarnafil. The annual competition highlights excellence in roofing installation. Roofing contractors are judged based on project complexity, design uniqueness, craftsmanship, and creative problem solving.

Photo: Pacific Medical Buildings - www.pacificmedicalbuildings.com

Feb 6, 2013

RSMeans cost comparisons: office buildings and medical offices

RSMeans' February 2013 Cost Comparison Report breaks down the average construction costs per square foot for four types of office buildings across 25 metro markets.

Dec 9, 2012

AEC professionals cautiously optimistic about commercial construction in ’13

Most economists say the U.S. is slowly emerging from the Great Recession, a view that was confirmed to some extent by an exclusive survey of 498 BD+C subscribers whose views we sought on the commercial construction industry’s outlook on business prospects for 2013.

The Edwin and Nancy Van Brunt Central Energy Plant, which powers the entire 34-a

Nov 11, 2012

Greenbuild 2012 Report: Healthcare

Green medical facilities extend beyond hospital walls

Exterior metal wall panels help create a dramatic and influential aesthetic.

Oct 24, 2012

Loma Linda University Medical Center lets light in with metal wall systems

Designers for the building aimed to create a positive environment for patients and visitors, and wanted to let in as much natural daylight as possible.