Children’s rehabilitation facilities serve a unique purpose that is separate from the function of the acute care offered by hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Rehabilitation centres provide ongoing therapeutic care to support children as they transition out of hospital care, or to promote a sense of autonomy for children who require ongoing therapy. Design plays an important role in helping to deliver a universally safe, therapeutic space for children with varying abilities: an inclusive design that caters to kids and their families who have varying abilities. So how do architects and designers create a truly inclusive design that caters to kids with varying needs? Read more

Stem-cell therapy is often the only line of defence for many who are diagnosed with blood-related cancers like lymphoma, leukemia and other hematological disorders. Hamilton’s Juravinski Hospital received funding to expand its stem-cell therapy unit to a 30,000 SF facility, featuring 15 additional in-patient beds, as well as out-patient clinics and a pharmacy expansion. Parkin’s Evidence-based Design Accredited and Certification (EDAC) team developed a design that positively supports therapy and healing. Read more

Falls can have devastating effects on people’s lives and are a major health concern overall, especially for seniors or those recovering from surgery or who have mobility or sight impairments. Direct costs for falls in Canada are estimated to be as high as $2 billion per year and could have an economic impact of up to $6 billion a year. Healthcare and rehabilitation facilities recognize that addressing the concern is important from health and safety and cost perspectives. Parkin’s architects and designers are uniquely qualified to help healthcare facilities identify risk areas and provide solutions to navigate potential hazards in the built environment. Read more

Architects and designers are in the business of providing innovative solutions for their clients and the end-users who will occupy the buildings or spaces they develop. Often a design challenge calls for a unique new product or methodology, so architects play a crucial role in driving innovation. Often these design challenges are posed by climate change, the need for eco-friendly building materials and the rise of smart technologies. When new products come on the market, the best designers research and evaluate them to consider how a product or process might be integrated into a new project and to predict its efficacy and durability. Read more

Hospital design is evolving rapidly, and hospitals are no longer simply spaces where healing takes place. Evidence-based design, coupled with quickly evolving technology, are transforming hospital and healthcare facility design so that buildings themselves can now play a key role in caring for patients. Technology already has been integrated into healthcare processes: from digitized health records to hospital beds that can turn bedridden patients to reduce bedsores, smart technology is helping to improve the quality and safety of patient care. Read more

Nowadays most people have at least some smart devices in their homes, mostly in the form of smart TVs, printers, thermostats, or other household appliances. What makes them “smart” is their ability to connect to the internet and other devices within the home. The Internet of Things (IoT) has already begun to transform the way we live in our homes. Technology can be integrated into the entire building design and has the power to revolutionize how buildings are managed and maintained, as well as how we live and work in them. Read more