The 2025 European Healthcare Design (EHD) Conference offered more than a platform for discussion. It served as a dynamic forum for shared learning, global insight and meaningful collaboration in the field of healthcare architecture. Parkin was proud to participate with representatives from all three of our offices, engaging in design dialogue, presenting projects and contributing to this international exchange.
Hosted in London, the conference brought together architects, clinicians, researchers and policy leaders from across Europe and around the world. Sessions explored topics shaping the future of healthcare design, including patient safety and digital innovation to art and wellness.
A key takeaway was the global focus on standardization in healthcare design. Far from being a constraint, standardization is emerging as a foundation for design innovation. The UK’s exploration of a national hospital standardization strategy, referred to by some as Healthcare 2.0, was compelling. Presenters emphasized the value of standardizing processes rather than products, opening opportunities to maintain creativity within consistent frameworks.
This aligns with Parkin’s evidence-based design (EBD) approach, which integrates research, real-world insights and continuous improvement across all our healthcare projects.
As part of the event, our team joined behind-the-scenes tours of three fascinating healthcare environments:
London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE):
A multidisciplinary space designed to foster collaboration at every level, from integrated workspaces to informal meeting zones.
“I was quite impressed with the level of integration in the LIHE, from meeting rooms, workspaces, right down to the collaborative staircase landings!” — Kim Kennedy, Principal
Evelina Children’s Day Surgery:
A playfully themed healing environment designed as a continuation of the Evelina’s thematic journey from land to sky and now, to space. Thoughtful design details support the patient journey while reinforcing the identity of the broader Evelina campus.
“It was fascinating to learn how the graphic theme for the Day Surgery evolved from the adjacent Evelina London Children’s Hospital—where the visual journey moved from water to ground to sky. But the question arose: after the sky, where do you go? The answer, of course outer space!”
— Melinda Lobo, Associate
Harold Moody Health Centre:
A model for integrated community-based care that bridges primary care, social services and mental health support in a welcoming and inclusive setting.
While the presentations and tours provided valuable insight, the greatest benefit of EHD 2025 was the opportunity to connect with professionals around the world who share our vision. The conference reaffirmed the importance of global collaboration and the shared mission to create human-centered, future-read healthcare environments.
“I felt the conference was incredibly inspiring! Learning about and sharing in exploring the sampling of international projects will bring a fresh perspective to our work.” — Laura Hann, Principal
As we return home with new knowledge, new contacts, and a renewed sense of purpose in shaping the future of healthcare design. The European Healthcare Design Conference continues to reinforce the importance of global collaboration, thoughtful standardization, and designing with both people and process in mind.
