A true marriage of form and function

Over the past 15 years, interior design has become increasingly important in healthcare settings of all kinds. Any casual observer can witness the growing attention to aesthetic details in hospitals, outpatient clinics, doctor’s offices, and long-term care facilities.

Patient expectations have changed, as has the understanding that an aesthetically pleasing environment is more conducive to comfort, care, and healing. This shift is more than a trend – it has become an essential part of what we do.

That’s why WJE invested in creating an in-house interior design team. We have long been an industry leader in the planning and technical aspects of healthcare architecture for nearly 30 years, and the addition of interior design to our capabilities was an important next step in keeping pace with our clients’ needs.

Interior design for healthcare is particularly challenging when you consider all the codes and regulations healthcare settings must adhere to. Contemporary healthcare settings may not feel cold and sterile – but they still need to support infection control. In addition, style can’t trump substance. Above all else, healthcare environments have to be functional and flexible. Interior design choices can’t hinder the delivery of care.

That’s why it made sense to add interior designers on the WJE team. Rather than sending our clients elsewhere for interior design work, we’ve made interior design an integral part of the process.

We currently have four interior designers on staff, supported by a growing library of interior design resources. And like everyone on our staff, WJE’s interior designers are focused solely on healthcare. As a result, we can ensure that interior design choices work seamlessly with other project requirements – saving our clients time, money, and headaches.

- Rick Embers