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
| Jul 2, 2014
Emerging trends in commercial flooring
Rectangular tiles, digital graphic applications, the resurgence of terrazzo, and product transparency headline today’s commercial flooring trends.
| Jun 30, 2014
Research finds continued growth of design-build throughout United States
New research findings indicate that for the first time more than half of projects above $10 million are being completed through design-build project delivery.
| Jun 25, 2014
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Spring House, Cincinnati’s Union Terminal among 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2014
The National Trust for Historic Preservation released its annual list of 11 Most Endangered Historical Sites in the United States for 2014.
| Jun 20, 2014
Sterling Bay pulled on board for Chicago Old Main Post Office project
Sterling Bay Cos. and Bill Davies' International Property Developers North America partner up for a $500 million restoration of Chicago's Old Main Post Office
| Jun 18, 2014
Design tips for Alzheimer care facilities
A new white paper from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and Perkins Eastman details best design practices for residential care settings for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease.
| Jun 18, 2014
Arup uses 3D printing to fabricate one-of-a-kind structural steel components
The firm's research shows that 3D printing has the potential to reduce costs, cut waste, and slash the carbon footprint of the construction sector.
| Jun 16, 2014
6 U.S. cities at the forefront of innovation districts
A new Brookings Institution study records the emergence of “competitive places that are also cool spaces.”
| Jun 12, 2014
Austrian university develops 'inflatable' concrete dome method
Constructing a concrete dome is a costly process, but this may change soon. A team from the Vienna University of Technology has developed a method that allows concrete domes to form with the use of air and steel cables instead of expensive, timber supporting structures.
| Jun 11, 2014
5 ways Herman Miller's new office concept rethinks the traditional workplace
Today's technologies allow us to work anywhere. So why come to an office at all? Herman Miller has an answer.
| Jun 9, 2014
Green Building Initiative launches Green Globes for Sustainable Interiors program
The new program focuses exclusively on the sustainable design and construction of interior spaces in nonresidential buildings and can be pursued by both building owners and individual lessees of commercial spaces.
