Most of us know intuitively that our surroundings can affect our sense of well-being. If we’re feeling stressed or anxious, for instance, a walk in the park or near a lake or even just sitting in a garden can make us instantly feel better. Science confirms that exposure to green space lowers our heart rates, reduces muscle tension, and decreases the production of stress hormones. So it comes as no surprise that research also indicates that hospital architecture incorporating nature into its design accelerates recovery time and improves patient outcomes as well. Read more

In the past, hospitals were regarded as cold, unfriendly “institutions” where people went to get fixed or repaired. Few from the community would visit a hospital, and when they did it was only to visit a loved one who was sick. Thankfully, healthcare design has evolved just as the role hospitals play within our communities has evolved. Today, hospitals can play a central role in improving the health and wellbeing of our communities, facilitating greater public health investment. Read more

Get ready to #GetLoud! The Canadian Mental Health Week, an initiative led by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), is May 6-12, 2019. This year the CMHA is encouraging Canadians to get loud about what mental health really is. Read more

As healthcare architects, we are passionate about designing healthcare facilities that support children and their families on their healing journeys. We believe healing spaces can be fun, playful, offer distractions, and let children be children. Read more

Building Information Modeling (BIM) brings architecture and design into the digital age with an intelligent 3D model-based process that offers digital representations of physical and functional elements of spaces. For Parkin, it provides tools to more effectively plan and design innovative, intuitive, and functional institutions, especially those as critical and complex as healthcare facilities. Read more

Bernadette Searle, Manager of Capital Projects with York Regional Police, has over 13 years of experience managing their capital projects and facilities. She is involved from land purchase through to the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings. Below, Bernadette shares how she evaluates and selects architects for new builds and renovations. Read more