Claire O’Donnell
Principal
EDAC
Location
Toronto
Sector
Healthcare

Healthcare architecture represents the intersection of emotion and technology. Effective and empathetic design transcends brick and mortar, technology and sterility and allows us to focus on people, creating space that embraces the fears and hopes of patients, and enhances the lives of all users.
Biography
Claire is a highly skilled project manager with a passion for healthcare design. With over a decade of experience at Parkin, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of specialized medical sectors, including behavioural health and cardiac environments. Claire is known for her intuitive ability to collaborate with patients and clinicians, giving her invaluable insight into the strategic issues facing healthcare clients.
Leveraging her qualifications in both architecture and project management, Claire manages large-scale complex projects with diverse project teams. She approaches every project with careful planning, robust procedures, and excellent communication and collaboration skills. Claire believes in a human-centric design approach that focuses on social architecture and buildings that inspire and support wellness. She builds strong partnerships with clients, working collaboratively to understand and distill their needs into effective architectural solutions.
Past speaking engagements
Professor, Design Technology Program at George Brown College
Awards & recognition
2015 Behavioral Healthcare, Specialty Hospital/Medical Center – Award of Merit, (JV aTRR) | Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, St. Thomas, ON
2015 Behavioral Healthcare, Specialty Hospital/Medical Center –Honorable Mention, (JV aTRR) | Parkwood Institute Mental Health Care Building, London, ON
2015 London & District Construction Association – Project Excellence Award, (JV aTRR) | Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, St. Thomas, ON
2015 London & District Construction Association – Project Excellence Award, (JV aTRR) | Parkwood Institute Mental Health Care Building, London, ON
2014 International Mental Health Design Award, International Academy for Design and Health, (JV aTRR) | Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, St. Thomas, ON
2013 Institutional Building Achievement Award – Don Smith Commercial Building Awards, (JV aTRR) | Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, St. Thomas, ON