M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Healthcare — May 2026 — 5
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H ealthcare
ealthcare environ- ments have always been shaped by ne- By Maria Scenna, CFI Workspace Healthcare Workspace Design: Where We Were, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going H major renovation.
decisions were heavily influ - enced by measurable outcomes, including how quickly a room could be cleaned, how effi- ciently staff could move, and how effectively systems could support billing and compliance. Evidence-based design be- gan to gain traction during this period, introducing elements like natural light, improved sightlines and quieter environ- ments. These were important advancements, but they were often built into existing frame- works rather than fundamen- tally reshaping them. The industry began to rec- ognize that the environment impacts outcomes, but spaces were still designed primarily for systems, not for the full human experience. Architects, designers and furniture partners played a critical role, often within defined constraints. The goal was efficiency and compliance versus welcoming or adapt- able. So while yes healthcare environments worked, they still were not desirable spaces where people wanted to be. Where We Are Now: Hospitality, Experience, and the Rise of Human- Centered Design Today, healthcare design has shifted dramatically. Ef- ficiency and clinical perfor- mance remain essential, but they are no longer the sole drivers. The industry has em- braced a broader understand- ing of care, one that includes patients, families, caregivers and clinical staff.
and more intuitive layouts are becoming standard. The goal is no longer just to treat illness. It is to create healing environ- ments that reduce stress, sup- port well-being and feel more familiar and accessible. Healthcare has become more experience-driven, with great- er emphasis on how people move through a space, interact and are supported at every touchpoint. This shift is visible across a range of design decisions: • Larger, more open waiting and gathering areas • Spaces designed for col - laboration and connection, not just function • Increased focus on care - giver experience and workflow support • Intentional pathways that improve navigation and efficiency At the same time, opera - tional demands have become more complex. Healthcare systems are under pressure to do more with less. Less space. Fewer staff. Tighter budgets. This has led to a renewed focus on efficiency, but with a different perspective. It is not about minimizing space but optimizing it.
And these spaces must be in the closest proximity to the patient. Caregivers do not wish to wan- der out of the treatment areas for respite. This shift reflects a deeper understanding of the people who rely on these spaces every day. Care teams want to remain close to their patients, with easy access to supplies and nearby places to reset. Fami- lies share many of those same needs, seeking comfort, clarity and proximity during moments that matter most. Where We’re Going: Flex- ibility, Technology, and the Decentralized Ecosystem Looking ahead, the next evo- lution of healthcare design is not about a single trend. It is about adaptability. The indus- try is moving toward a broader ecosystem, not just a building. Over the next five to fifteen years, healthcare environ- ments will continue to shift toward more flexible and de - centralized models. Facilities will need to respond to chang- ing technologies, shifting pa- tient needs and evolving care delivery methods in real time. That ecosystem will be: • Modular and adapt - able, allowing spaces to be reconfigured quickly • Technology-enabled, incor - porating AI and real-time data to support decision-making • Decentralized, with care extending beyond traditional hospital walls
Real-time patient and staff needs will influence how spac - es are used moment to mo- ment. Flexibility will no longer be a feature. It will be a requirement. There is also a growing em- phasis on sustainability, both environmental and operational. Spaces must be designed to last, adapt and evolve without constant reinvestment. Even as technology advances, the need for connection, comfort, and clar- ity will not change. If anything, it will become more important. Closing: Designing for What Matters Most Healthcare design has come a long way, from efficiency- driven environments to experi- ence-centered spaces and now toward adaptable ecosystems built for the future. At its core, the mission is the same and the human element remains central. It is about creating spaces where people can do their best work and where others can receive the care they need. That is where CFI Work- space continues to focus its efforts, bringing together in- sight, experience and a deep understanding of healthcare operations – one that sup- ports environments which are flexible, purposeful and built to evolve. By working closely with partners across design, construction and care delivery, CFI views its role as one far beyond just furnishing spaces. It is to help shape environ- ments that truly support the people within them. Maria Scenna is executive director of Healthcare Sales for CFI Workspace, where she leads the company’s Healthcare Division. MAREJ identify actionable strategies to build a more inclusive, ac- cessible, and resilient health- care workforce in the region. The event is part of an ongoing series sponsored by East Penn Manufacturing Co. and Visions Federal Credit Union. Event Details: Legislative Roundtable: Healthcare Work- force Pipeline from Education to Employment in Berks County When: Friday, May 29, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Where: Reading Hospital Conference Center, 420 S. 5th Avenue, West Reading, PA. MAREJ
cessity, but today they are being redefined by expectation. Patients ex- pect more c om f o r t . Care teams need more
Maria Scenna
support. Systems demand more efficiency. And the spac - es themselves? They’re ex- pected to be more than a place where care happens. They must actively contribute to it. This evolution is not a series of trends, but a continuous shift toward something more human. It is never just about the space. It is about what happens in it and how it makes people feel, heal and thrive. To truly understand where healthcare design is today re- quires looking at where it has been and where it is going to be over the next 5-10 years. Where We Were: Effi- ciency, Standards, and the Foundations of Care Healthcare design in the early 2000s and into the 2010s was driven primarily by clini- cal efficiency and operational necessity. Patient-centered care was emerging as a con- cept, but in practice, environ- ments were still largely built around workflows, reimburse - ment structures and the logis- tics of delivering care at scale. Layouts prioritized proxim- ity and access. Nurse stations were positioned for visibility. Supply storage was integrated into units for speed. Standard- ized room configurations were designed to optimize turnover and reduce variability. Design READING, PA — The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) will con- vene state and industry lead- ers for a Legislative Round- table focused on strengthen- ing the healthcare workforce pipeline in Berks County. Titled “Healthcare Work- force Pipeline: From Educa- tion to Employment in Berks County,” the event will feature remarks from Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks, 11th District), Rep. David Zim- merman (R-Lancaster, 99th District), and Kristen Rodack , executive deputy
• Multi-use, supporting a range of functions within a single environment Furniture and interior solu- tions will play a critical role in this shift. Systems will need to support rapid change by adjusting to different users, different needs and different modes of care without requiring Hybrid care models, outpa- tient services and decentral- ized systems are changing how facilities are used. Technology has advanced, but the empha- sis is shifting toward simpli- fying its presence so it feels seamless and less intrusive. There is also a growing rec- ognition that caregivers need environments designed for them, not just for patients. Re- spite areas, quieter zones and better workflow support are becoming critical components of modern healthcare design. GRCA to host Legislative Roundtable on Healthcare Workforce Pipeline in Berks County Healthcare environments are now borrowing from hos- pitality. Biophilic design has taken a larger role where open gathering spaces with softer materials, layered lighting
Participants will also ex- amine key barriers that pre- vent residents from pursuing healthcare careers, including cost, transportation chal- lenges, and limited access to support services. Policy priorities expected to be dis- cussed include funding for workforce training, paid clini- cal experiences, credentialing pathways, and wraparound support systems. Designed for healthcare providers, educators, training organizations, and community partners, the roundtable aims to foster collaboration and
Judy Schwank
David Zimmerman
Kristen Rodack
advancing within the health- care field. Topics will include expanding apprenticeships and clinical placement opportuni- ties, improving retention among existing workers, and enhancing access to career pathways.
secretary of the Pennsylva- nia Department of Health . The discussion will address the growing urgency of aligning education, training, and em- ployment systems to better sup- port local talent entering and
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