As costs soar, healthcare systems are forced to do more with less. That's why, for us, the broadest definition of health is not only the absence of illness, but also the strength of a healthcare system, the adaptability of its hospital infrastructure and the well-being of its employees, patients and community. This broader concept of health informs an approach we call "Whole Health."

“Whole Health” propels the design of high-performance healthcare organizations and environments, reshaping how and where care is provided and creating purposeful experiences for all.

Design Perspectives for Healthcare

At Oregon Health & Science University, the Vista Pavilion opened on time and $25 million under budget—demonstrating the impact of a disciplined, data-driven approach to planning and delivery. Through Target Value Design and the strategic use of shell space, the team aligned construction with projected needs while maintaining budget certainty. The project also achieved 80% fewer RFIs than typical, reducing risk, minimizing delays and limiting costly change orders.

First impressions matter most in healthcare—especially for kids. At UCSF’s Pediatric Stad Center, the arrival experience is designed as part of healing—shifting the “front door” from a moment of stress to one of comfort and connection. In place of a traditional waiting room, a light-filled central hub supports play, family and care, helping reduce anxiety for young patients and caregivers. Integrated services and nature-inspired, multisensory environments create a more welcoming, non-clinical experience.

Hospitals must do more than reduce their environmental impact—they must remain operational when it matters most. At Massachusetts General Hospital’s Ragon Building, renewable energy systems cut emissions by up to 90% while enabling the facility to operate as a self-sufficient “island” for up to 96 hours, with flood protection and elevated critical infrastructure. Across NBBJ’s healthcare work, similar strategies—from flood-ready planning to seismic resilience—show how sustainability and resiliency work together to protect patients, caregivers and community.

Today’s facility master plans map the variables that impact an organization’s real estate footprint over time, providing a roadmap with strategies for a range of possible futures. We worked with UC Davis Health to create a 12-year plan to streamline operations for on-campus ambulatory care by consolidating three buildings into one, resulting in a savings of approximately $150M in construction and occupancy costs and improving room utilization by 25%.

Work and Ideas

All Work and Ideas

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Vista Pavilion

Research Shows Inclusive Environments Measurably Improve Patient Experience. Here’s How.

Massachusetts General Hospital Phillip and Susan Ragon Building

The Front Door Effect: Why Entry Design Matters in Pediatric Healing

UCSF Pediatric Stad Center

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Vista Pavilion

Atrium Health David L. Conlan Center at Carolinas Rehabilitation

When It Comes to Age, Most Hospitals Are in Their Twenties. With a Universal Platform, They Can Become Centenarians.

Montage Health Ohana Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health

The Next Gen Master Plan: How More Adaptable Planning Can Drive Success in a Rapidly Changing Market

Loma Linda University Medical Center

Space to Grow: Tackling Aging Infrastructure, Capacity Strains and Financial Pressures in Healthcare Design

Nationwide Children's Hospital, Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion

Podcast

This Alaska Native Health System Outperforms Urban Hospitals. Here's How.

Royal Liverpool University Hospital

UCSF Connie Frank Transplant Center Renovations

Podcast

Uplift Podcast: The Future Hospital is Flexible. How UW’s CEO Plans for Change.

Seattle Children’s Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic

Meridian Center for Health

Loma Land at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital

From Telehealth to AI, How Technology is Influencing Healthcare Design

NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital

Article

As Costs and Demand for Care Soars, Here Are Four Ways to Reduce Financial Risk in Healthcare Design Projects

University Medical Center New Orleans

NYU Langone Health Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Pavilion

Podcast

Uplift Podcast: How to Design Now for the Behavioral Health Crisis

American University of Beirut Medical Center (Halim & Aida Daniel Academic & Clinical Center)

Massachusetts General Hospital, Lunder Building

Article

Faster and More Efficient: How the Pandemic Has Sparked Project Delivery Innovation

Swedish Edmonds Ambulatory Care Center

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center

Healthcare Leaders

Ryan Hullinger, AIA, NCARB

Partner | Board Member | Firmwide Healthcare Practice Leader

Andy Snyder, AIA, NCARB

Partner | Healthcare Market Leader

Joan Saba, FAIA, FACHA, NCARB

Consulting Partner | AMC Strategist

Christina Grimes, ACHA, AIA + LEED BD+C

Partner | Firmwide Healthcare Practice Leader

David Lewis

Partner | Healthcare Market Leader

Jose Sama, LEED AP

Partner I Healthcare Design Leader

Stacey Hooper, AIA, LEED AP

Partner | Healthcare Market Leader

Bryan Langlands, FAIA, FACHA

Principal | Healthcare Market Leader I NBBJ Fellow

Kwang Lee, AIA, LEED AP

Healthcare Director | Healthcare Market Leader

Sarah Markovitz, AIA

Principal | Healthcare Market Leader

Jane McElroy, RIBA

Consulting Principal | Healthcare Market Leader

Jessica Radecki, AIA, LEED AP

Healthcare Director | Healthcare Market Leader

Molly Wolf, AIA, DBIA

Principal | Healthcare Market Leader

Susan O’Hara PhD, MPH, BA, RN, EDAC, FNIHD, FNAP

Clinical Innovations Leader, Research & Evidence Based Design

Featured Project

Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center New Bed Tower & Inpatient Expansion

At Atrium Health, a standards-based design approach creates consistency across six hospitals and more than 800 beds, delivering greater certainty in cost, schedule and scope. Combined with prefabrication and bulk-buy agreements, this strategy has mitigated more than $100 million in potential cost escalation while improving efficiency systemwide.

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