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Retirement Announcement - Robert A. Amatuli, AIA

Jennifers@tectonpc.com (Jennifer Saari) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 17:31:39 GMT

With heartfelt admiration and gratitude, we announce the retirement of Robert A. Amatuli, AIA, Principal, effective December 31, 2024. After a distinguished 45-year career in architecture, Robert will step away from his role, leaving behind a lasting legacy of dedication to design excellence, leadership in healthcare architecture, and a commitment to mentorship.

Robert’s journey in architecture began in 1979, when he earned his Architectural Degree from the New York Institute of Technology. His early experiences in the field included roles at Adelphi University, United Artists Communications, and Page Southerland Page. He further advanced his career at Gideon Toal and Carter & Burgess Consultants, where he managed two offices in Connecticut.

In 2001, Robert joined Tecton Architects, where he has served as a Principal and Director of Healthcare Design. His notable work includes state-of-the-art simulation centers like Hartford Healthcare’s Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation and its partner facility at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Ben Guerir, Morocco. His work also includes Hartford Healthcare’s Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, the University of Connecticut’s Emergency Department expansion and multiple projects for the Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association.

Beyond the project work, Robert has been deeply dedicated to advancing the design profession. He has been a local leader in the ACE Mentor Program for more than 20 years, where he has helped inspire and prepare high school students for careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. He was also actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), The Center for Health Design, the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE), LeadingAge, and the New England Healthcare Engineers Society (NEHES).

Robert’s contributions to architecture have left an indelible mark, not just in the spaces he designed, but in the lives of those he mentored and worked alongside. His leadership and passion for excellence have been a source of inspiration to all. Please join us in congratulating Robert on his retirement and thanking him for his exceptional work and dedication to his team, the architectural profession, and the communities he served. We wish him a fulfilling and well-deserved next chapter!

Tecton Selected to Design Cheshire’s Two New Elementary Schools

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:17:09 GMT

After a months-long search, the Cheshire Next Generation School Building Committee has selected Tecton Architects to design two new elementary school projects as part of the Town’s long-term school modernization plan.

The selection follows a lengthy review of qualifications, fee proposals, tours of completed school projects and an in-person interview.

The new Norton Elementary School will be built on the site of the existing Norton Elementary School, with a new school also planned for an open parcel at Marion Road and Jarvis Street. The total project cost for both projects is anticipated to be approximately $166 million. Both projects are scheduled for simultaneous design and construction, with planned occupancy for the 2026 school year.

Design Fridays Reinvented

Tue, 31 May 2022 16:42:51 GMT

Prioritizing creativity and collaboration in a hybrid world.

After a two-year absence, Tecton kicked off a new internal design lecture series designed to reunite our team and create collaboration beyond the project work. Spearheaded by a dedicated committee and presented by individuals at all levels of the firm, Design Fridays have given a voice to every member of the team and illuminated the elements of design that we're most passionate about.

Launch Party

Design Fridays kicked off with a hands-on exploration into what inspires each of us, celebrating the individuality of our team and discovering the threads that unite us. A series of questions were used to gather thoughts and passions from the firm to inform future session topics and series:

What first brought you to architecture?
What are your passions?
What do you want to learn more about?
What do you enjoy most about the industry?
What inspires you?

Each person looked through magazines and cut-out or ripped out images and text that spoke to them and created collages to be pinned up on a wall. Once collages were pinned up, each person used pieces of yarn to draw connections between similar topics and imagery. This engaging activity opened up conversations about similar interests across the firm and resulted in a physical installation to energize future sessions.

"I personally love doing things in a collaborative environment. I think it inspires a lot of people and I think it definitely brings a new perspective to my views, and really helps elevate design." - Renee Parry, Architectural Intern

Advocating for Inclusive Design

What does Diversity, Equity & Inclusion mean for Architecture as a Practice? How is it implemented? What results can be expected? In this session, our team explored DEI as a process, reviewing examples of where specific firms and projects asked these questions and came to their own conclusion on what was right for the circumstance. In an exercise designed to advance open-mindedness and thoughtful inquisition , the team created personalized puzzle pieces that narrate each individual's personal and professional journey.

"Being able to focus a design conversation around social responsibility and diverse talent as a Tecton team and as individuals, was extremely impactful. We experienced first-hand that different backgrounds and active listening can fuel collaboration and connection." - Antonia Ciaverella, Architectural Designer

CAPA: Architecture to Affect Change

Bennington College's Center for the Advancement of Public Action (CAPA), designed by Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, was built to create space for discussion and resolution of the urgent problems of our time . In this session, our team was provided with only the site plan and program that spurred this unique facility, before undertaking a fast-paced individual charrette. With sketches complete, the team went through an in-depth exploration of this singular program and the resulting design, to better understand how architecture moves to inspire and encourage public action.

Tecton's Sustainable Voice

As designers, we are constantly in pursuit of better – of more creative uses for buildings to elevate humanity and protect the planet. Our goal during this session was to create the framework for a dynamic roadmap to setting and achieving sustainable goals. The team powered through a series of rapid exercises in design thinking, in a process inspired by the Design Sprint method: Map, Sketch, Prototype, Swap!, Supervote, Present. Ideas included:

A digital hub where clients can peruse sustainable design strategies and add them to their “shopping cart”.
An interactive matrix that sorts initiatives based on a client’s stated goals and objectives.
A "Choose Your Own Adventure" approach, where the tools, partners, audience and opportunities would derive from the client's selected "journey."

What excited the teams was the overlapping themes evident in the work – identifying the roadblocks, enabling an iterative approach, and centering the team and effort around a collective vision. These exercises, from reframing our mindset all the way to our Supervote, enabled us to creatively pursue better. We leveraged our past experiences, pivoted, and embraced new perspectives. With openness to new ideas, we continuously asked, “Why?”, “What if?” and “What else?” which produced two very unique and dynamic frameworks for achieving sustainable goals.

Constructability Therapy Session

In this Town Hall-style forum, the team delved into the impact of design on the constructability and buildability of our work:

Constructability - The ease with w hich the raw materials of the construction process can be brought together by a bu ilder to complete the project in a timely and economic manner.
Buildability - The extent to which the design of the building facilitates ease of construction , subject to overall requirements for the completed building.

The team shared recent experiences and hurdles during design and construction, and identified collective opportunities to mitigate issues, improve efficiency and create a better overall project.

How Graphics Help Shape Architecture

Looking at design holistically, graphic design adds a layer of value at all phases of a project. From initial project pursuit, to design visualization to the physical graphics within the space, graphics help us better exemplify our brand, communicate our designs and establish the identity of a place. In this session, our team explored current graphic use within the firm – spanning renderings, diagrams, presentations, print collateral, building identity, wayfinding and signage – to see the impact of each piece we touch.

We also explored the psychology behind color and type choices, to better understand the impression and feelings that our graphic work may evoke.

Tecton Announces Leadership Promotions

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 19:05:42 GMT

Tecton Architects is proud to announce the promotion of four staff members within the firm.

Promoted to Associate Principal:

Justin Hopkins, RA, NCARB has been elevated to Associate Principal. Hopkins brings more than 20 years of experience in managing complex projects, with a concentration of work in academic, community and industrial environments. Justin joined the firm in 2013 and has worked closely with leadership to expand the presence and reputation of Tecton’s Rhode Island studio. As a Senior Project Manager, he has overseen many of the firm’s largest projects, including the Oxford Middle School, Suffield Academy Memorial Building and General Dynamics Electric Boat Nuclear Support Facility. During his time as an Associate with the firm, Hopkins has been a strong voice in shaping Tecton’s approach to integrated team management practices. He is a Registered Architect in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and serves as Chairman of both the Town of Westerly, RI Planning Board and the Westerly School Building Subcommittee.

Promoted to Associate:

Matt Salad, AIA, NCARB, MCPPO, has been a part of Tecton’s public safety studio since joining the firm in 2012. His major projects include the Shrewsbury Police Station and Lexington Fire Headquarters, which was recently recognized by both Firehouse Magazine and the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.) for excellence in design. His understanding of the public construction process and strong relationships with regional contractors have contributed to the firm’s progressive growth in Massachusetts and reputation for quality work. Salad is a Registered Architect in Connecticut and holds a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official designation.

Rebecca Hopkins, AIA, NCARB, EDAC, has been an integral part of the firm for nine years and has tackled a broad range of work, spanning high-end corporate environments, public safety facilities and mixed use development. Her notable projects include the Wilton Police Station, West Natick Fire Station #4 and the transformation of MassMutual’s Springfield Headquarters. Since 2016, she has also led Tecton’s technology integration strategy as the firm’s Manager of Emerging Technology. Hopkins is a Registered Architect in New York and is an accredited Evidence-Based Design professional.

Jennifer Saari, Marketing Manager, brings 15 years of experience in implementing marketing and communications strategies in the building industry. She joined Tecton in 2015 and has established a collaborative partnership with firm leadership and design teams, reshaping how Tecton pursues work and communicates visionary design. She has also been instrumental in fostering a positive, transparent workplace culture.

Effective immediately, Hopkins, Salad, Hopkins and Saari will round out the firm’s leadership team, which will now be made up of four Principals, four Associate Principals, and nine Associates.

“Our people are our success. Their knowledge and talent bring amazing outcomes to our projects and ultimately our clients. Each of these individuals have demonstrated an eagerness to help craft the future trajectory for Tecton, and we’re excited to have their voices on our leadership team,” said Ted Cutler, Principal and CEO.

Lexington Fire Headquarters Recognized by Firehouse Magazine and F.I.E.R.O.

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 14:28:35 GMT

Tecton Architects, in conjunction with H2M Architects + Engineers, was awarded the top prize in Firehouse Magazine's 2021 Station Design Awards, the Career 1 Gold award. The team was also recognized by the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.) as a Merit Award Winner.

The station was recognized for providing the modern amenities and the safety of a new building, with traditional aesthetics that reflect the station’s location in one of the country’s most recognizable historic districts. The new Lexington Fire Headquarters provides the modern amenities and safety of a new building, with a traditional aesthetic that reflects the station’s location in one of the country’s most recognizable historic districts, just a half mile from the Lexington Battle Green.

The new building was constructed on the site of the Town’s existing Fire and Rescue Headquarters. Originally built in 1947, this facility was less than half the size of the new station. With a tight urban site and minimal lay down space, careful consideration was given to site phasing and logistics. As part of the project, the team coordinated re-routing of Camellia Place, a side road to the North of the building, in order to expand the width of the site and provide additional parking.

The 26,000 SF facility features 10 apparatus bays (4 double-deep bays and 2 EMS bays), as well as capacity for the department’s Antique American LaFrance engine. Training capabilities for the Town are greatly expanded, with a large training room, mezzanine and training tower.

Responder health, safety and comfort were paramount to the design. Air quality is maximized through the use of 100% outside air units, MERV 13 filters and optimized carbon dioxide monitoring and dilution. The station also includes space for on-site decontamination and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) maintenance, filling and storage. Gender-neutral bunks and shower rooms support fluctuations in the department’s staff demographics, while a generous day room provides opportunities for relaxation and socialization.

The fire headquarters was designed to meet the Town of Lexington’s progressive sustainability guidelines and is a highly efficient and resilient building. The station uses a full electric and solar thermal system, including the first full-electric radiant apparatus floor in the world. No fossil fuels are burned on-site, with the exception of a back-up hot water heater and kitchen range. Roof-top photovoltaics off-set the building’s electrical use and are hidden from street view, in keeping with historic district considerations. This LEED Gold equivalent building performs as designed, exceeding the ASHRAE 90.1 standard by 30%.

Jeffrey Wyszynski Selected as AGC-CT Designer of the Year

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 21:41:08 GMT

Congratulations to each of this year's nominees, and kudos to Jeff!

At the 2021 Associated General Contractors of Connecticut Industry Recognition Dinner, Jeff Wyszynski, Principal and Chief Operating Officer for Tecton, was selected as Designer of the Year.

Jeff has been with Tecton for more than 15 years and has served in various capacities, initially as a senior project manager, then principal and ultimately chosen to help guide the firm as Chief Operating Officer in 2012 as part of the leadership succession plan. As COO, he is engaged in Tecton’s overall firm management, overseeing day-to-day operations and the development of the firm’s professional staff. Since the leadership transition, the firm has seen 50% growth in both staff size and revenue, with active work throughout the Northeast. Always a steadfast leader, but particularly throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Jeff’s unfailing guidance while navigating changing operational, legal, financial and health considerations have been instrumental in keeping the firm and its staff safe and stable.

Prior to joining Tecton, Jeff spent the first 10 years of his career with Massachusetts firm Alderman & MacNeish, until their closure in 2004. Joining the firm out of college, Jeff credits his experience there with teaching him not only how to detail, manage projects and design buildings, but also how to be a well-rounded architect, a skilled designer and an effective listener.

Jeff’s experience with A&M also instilled a passion for academic design that has carried with him throughout his career. Since joining the firm, he has personally built Tecton’s school design portfolio from the ground up, with K-12 projects totalling nearly $250 million in overall project costs in the last five years. This includes recent work like the Oxford Middle School, Ocean Avenue Learning Academy, Colchester’s William J. Johnston Middle School and Brookfield’s new Candlewood Lake Elementary School, set to be the first school in Connecticut to use insulated concrete form construction when it opens in 2022. He has also been at the helm of master planning and study efforts for school districts throughout Connecticut, including Simsbury, Suffield, Weston, Sherman, Ellington and Regional School District 17.

Jeff’s academic work also extends to higher education and independent schools. He has guided major campus design projects for the State of Connecticut including the LEED Gold Certified Southern Connecticut State University School of Business, Asnuntuck Community College Student Center, Western Connecticut State University Student Center and the renovation of Norwalk Community College. He also has a strong body of work with private institutions like Trinity College, Rumsey Hall School, Suffield Academy and Loomis Chaffee School.

Jeff has led the firm in the design of major workplace projects like the consolidation of 2,200 employees into a downtown high rise for the State of Connecticut, as well as collaboration with Otis Elevator, COCC, Connecticare, PeoplesBank, Farmington Bank and Windsor Federal Savings. He was also a hands-on contributor as Tecton took on the unique and oftentimes daunting challenge of designing the firm’s new Hartford studio, which opened in 2020.

Jeff’s devotion to design excellence and ability to inspire the best in his team members and peers have led to many long-standing personal and professional relationships. In particular, he has cultivated strong bonds with several high-end luxury and mixed-use developers in southern Connecticut and Westchester County, including Gatto Development, Alfred Weissman Real Estate and Paul Varsames Development.

Jeff holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Roger Williams University and is a licensed Architect in Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts. His past and present affiliations include the American Institute of Architects, ACE Mentor Program, the Board of Advisors for the Construction Institute, Connecticut Health Council, Hartford Youth Scholars, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Society of College and University Planners, The Alternative Board, WALKS Consortium and MetroHartford Alliance.

Perspectives: COVID Impact on Public Safety Design

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 15:42:05 GMT

Creating safer facilities for public safety personnel and the public they serve

There are events that occur of such significance that they generate a paradigm shift in the way first responders operate, and subsequently, in the way public safety facilities are designed. Whether it is the advent of modern digital technology, 9/11 or the current COVID-19 pandemic, we must continue to adapt and create flexibility for the next crisis that cannot be forecasted.

When considering the implications of COVID-19, we are able to draw on existing research and best practices, particularly with regard to fire facility design. Our unique, multi-disciplinary experience over varied project types haw allowed us to develop strategies for dealing with contaminated air particularly with regard to fire facility design. In these facilities, we are constantly designing for the mitigation of risk of cross-contamination and carcinogens that are carried on gear when returning from a fire. Managing gross decon at the site and clean-cab protocols when returning to the station are important health factors and a critical element of design. Hot-Zone / Cold-Zone transitions, negative pressurization with HVAC systems, smoke tight partitioning and decontamination zones are all techniques that we incorporate into the design to protect the health and safety of personnel. We have built on these practices and principals to better inform how we design other facilities such as Police Stations so that we can ensure this building is a place where officers and civilian staff can all work safely. Additional opportunities include:

‘Low hanging fruit’

Installing Purell stations at major traffic points or reducing touch points to reduce surface exposure to latent virus.
Specifying surfaces that can be easily disinfected or materials that are inherently antimicrobial will increase the longevity of finishes subject to constant cleaning while also reducing risk.

Building Systems:

Designing easily accessible and replaceable MEP systems.
Bringing 100% fresh air into the mechanical system to eliminate the risk of spreading virus through the HVAC system.
Specifying MERV13 or higher filters with a prefiltration system to greatly reduce the risk of contaminants entering the facility from the exterior of the building through the ductwork.
Deploying easily reconfigurable and expandable technology systems and redundant emergency power systems to provide capacity for change in the future.

Space Planning

Giving thoughtful consideration to layout, for example, the ability to zone off portions of the building and create separations between the public, administration, staff and prisoners.
Designing separate administration wings with air lock lobbies to allow for protected in-person contact between shift staff and administration. This continues to keep operations as normal as possible, while reducing operational impacts to each department.

about the author

Matt Salad, AIA, NCARB, MCPPO

Matt is an Associate and Project Manager with diverse experience spanning from high-end corporate environments to police and fire facilities. Since joining the firm, he has been a part of each of Tecton's public safety projects, with recent work including the new Lexington Fire Headquarters and Shrewsbury Police Station. Matt is a Registered Architect in Connecticut and holds a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official designation.

Root Center and Empowering Change Through Design

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 12:46:03 GMT

Tecton is honored to partner with Root Center for Advanced Recovery to realize their purpose of creating relationships that empower the courage and ability to change. We are proud to be working with Root to create a Memorial Garden where visitors can reflect, honor, and remember loved ones lost to substance abuse.

For more information and to join us in supporting this community effort visit https://rootcenter.org/root-center-manchesters-memorial-garden/

People, Preparation, Process: Lean Healthcare Design and the Human Experience

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 22:18:43 GMT

It's all about people.

Though historically a hallmark of the manufacturing industry, Lean design principles have proven valuable across the continuum of design. In the healthcare field, employing a strategic, continuous learning cycle early in the design process can lead to manifold benefits – for example, improving culture, elevating communications, streamlining workflows and ultimately boosting patient and employee satisfaction.

Tecton worked closely with our client, a national provider of women’s health services, as they embarked on a new branding initiative for their regional health centers. In collaboration with Bergland & Cram, the project’s Process Architects, the team kicked off a week-long “3P” event, focusing on the People, Preparation and Process to generate full endorsement of a new clinical working model. This interactive approach focuses on designing the process first, then designing the layout to support it.

The team laid out five goals:

Improve the patient experience
Reduce the number of steps for patients
Reduce the number of steps for the care team
Improve patient flow
Improve patient privacy

Hands-On Lean 3P Event

The shell of the organization’s future Manchester, Conn., health center provided the backdrop for this hands-on event, with participation and design be the people who will use the space on a daily basis. Over a dozen doctors, clinicians, senior management and Tecton’s design team participated in the event. By informed trial and error, with full-sized cardboard mock-ups of actual work areas, the team discovered how the space could be used most effectively and efficiently.

Consensus-Driven Design Standard

Through this collaborative, iterative process the clinical team reached consensus on the design plan and mapped out new possibilities for the future of their clinical operations. Tecton implemented the layout and design standards developed during this process in the first functional prototype clinic and subsequent locations across New England.

General Dynamics Electric Boat Breaks Ground on Nuclear Support Facility

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 21:18:46 GMT

Creating safer facilities for public safety personnel and the public they serve

General Dynamics Electric Boat broke ground for a new 70,000 SF Nuclear Support Facility at its Groton shipyard. The new building will house the site’s Radiological Emergency Response team, Naval Reactors personnel and the Emergency Command Center, and marks the latest step in the company’s plan to support a growing workforce and meet production commitments to the Navy. Tecton is providing full architectural and design services for this project.

Perspectives: Grade Pods and the Gift of Time

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 15:10:51 GMT

Delivering tangible benefits in educational delivery, health and safety

One of the most critical trends in education is the creation of “grade pods” within the space and programmatic planning of learning spaces. While this provides immediate benefits to the curriculum and the students’ ability to collaborate thorough project-based learning, there are several other notable advantages.

The impact of circulation on the quantity and quality of instructional time can be intrinsically linked to a grade level pods space plan. Particularly in the case of elementary and middle school students, the “commute” to special classrooms, core spaces, resource rooms and large amenity areas can have a significant impact on the amount of time spent travelling the building. When determining the efficiency of a learning environment, corridors and exterior envelope both matter. Their impact extends beyond the quantity of this time spent outside the classroom – there is also a key qualitative benefit to arranging classrooms in grade pods, centered around shared spaces. Imagine the difference between a high-traffic classroom corridor that doubles as a main route to the gym, cafeteria, or even art class. Several times daily, large classes of students would be passing through, and these sights and sounds have the potential to distract learners. Through a grade pods layout, travel distance is shortened and since the quantity of classrooms is reduced and coordinated by grade, so is the potential for disruption and distraction.

This model can be seen in the new 81,000 s/f Oxford Middle School, which welcomed students in the fall of 2020. The school celebrates STE(A)M education in a safe, modern learning environment, and is sited on a shared campus between two existing school buildings. Designed to promote transparency throughout the building and to each adjacent school, thoughtful space planning is at the heart of this design, with grade level pods organized around a central core that houses shared amenities and specialty classrooms. This circulation structure eliminates the disruption of students passing through, minimizes travel time, and creates an intimate neighborhood feeling within the large building.

The grade pod structure provides additional advantages in school safety and student health. For the Oxford Middle School, careful consideration was given to designing a secure but welcoming environment for students, through the use of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. Outside the building, clear sight lines for administrators, natural barriers and secure access limit unforeseen events. Inside, the pod structure allows each area to be compartmentalized and locked down in the event of an emergency. Openness and transparency throughout the school promote positive behavior and enhance supervision, with strategic materials like concealed security shades to limit unwanted visibility in the case of a lock down. Additionally, over the past year, through the challenges and safety precautions surrounding the pandemic, the grade pod layout has proven additionally advantageous in limiting the intermingling of students and minimizing the spread of COVID.

As our educational spaces continue to evolve, the one constant is the responsibility to provide safe, equitable and enriching environments for learning. While there are many components to a design that supports the outstanding work of our educators and their mission, one of the most critical is the design of grade level pods, and their adjacency to key shared amenity spaces. Through this layout, we support not only the academic performance of our students, but also their holistic educational experience.

Note: This content originally appeared in the New England Real Estate Journal.

about the author

Antonia Ciaverella, EDAC, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador

Antonia is an Architectural Designer whose focus is on the effect of the built environment on human health and behavior. She is both a WELL and LEED Accredited Professional and has earned her Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification. Antonia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in neuroscience at the University of Hartford.

Tecton Takes Home Two CREW CT Blue Ribbon Awards

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 20:54:19 GMT

The CREW CT Blue Ribbon Awards honor excellence in Connecticut's real estate accomplishments. At the 2021 annual showcase, Tecton Architects and the project team were awarded both the Workplace Innovation and People's Choice Awards for the design of LAZ Parking's new home office.

Congratulations to our client, partners and design team! This project is a special, “family” driven project, and we are truly honored to have been a part of it.

Project Team: Van Zelm Heywood & Shadford, One of a Kind Design, InnoConn Construction Management , O&G Industries and Interscape Commercial Environments

Root Center New Britain Breaks Ground

Tue, 25 May 2021 16:59:35 GMT

New Britain Health Center Opening Summer 2021

Continuing their nearly 150-year legacy as a beacon of hope and compassion in their community, the Root Center for Advanced Recovery will open a new behavioral health center in New Britain, Conn., later this summer. Through a holistic, research-driven approach to wellness, Root Center presently treats more than 5,500 patients per day in its growing network of clinics across Connecticut. The New Britain location is planned as a behavioral health center, providing services for both mental health and substance use disorders.

Like many communities, New Britain has seen an increase in opioid addiction and related overdoses in recent years, with a particular strain on existing programs during the pandemic. Root Center currently operates a smaller clinic within the city. However, the new, larger facility, and more convenient location, will allow Root to expand services to a larger population and develop other healthcare initiatives to meet the eclectic needs of their patients. Root Center selected Hartford-based design firm Tecton Architects and New Britain builder T-Long Construction to complete the project.

“It was imperative for our organization to support the greater demand and need for services in the community than what our current New Britain facility allowed. Our patients and staff deserved a treatment environment that was highly conducive to ongoing recovery and professional “nourishment.” We believe our work with Tecton and T-Long Construction will provide just that – a model treatment setting in the City of New Britain, and one for which the community will be proud,” said Steven Zuckerman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Root Center.

Tecton Architects collaborated with Root Center to create an aesthetic that breaks the stigma of addiction. Throughout the exterior and interior, natural patterns, daylight and organic forms evoke renewal and provide an inviting, non-clinical environment, for individuals seeking treatment.

Through early space planning and observation of Root’s existing operations, it became evident that the entry sequence and interior circulation were pivotal to engaging patients and elevating service delivery. “One of the first things we recognized was that there is often a lot of back and forth within the spaces – a congested flow with how people moved about the process. This was the driver for the space,” said Ernest Nepomuceno, Senior Designer for Tecton.

The site entry begins with a covered plaza, gardens and walkway that provide protection from the elements and a soft green space, for a comfortable, nurturing arrival experience. Inside, Tecton created a central space connecting check-in with dosing, with a one-way circulation pattern and wayfinding elements to establish a sense of place and streamline the visitor process. Throughout, the design carefully balances openness and transparency with privacy and quiet, to reinforce Root Center’s mission and elevate the patient experience.

The project broke ground in January of 2021 and is currently under construction.

At the Root Center groundbreaking ceremony in January (left to right):
President of Root Center’s board of directors, Bruce Simons; State Representative William Petit; New Britain mayor, Erin Stewart; Root Center president/CEO, Steven Zuckerman; T-Long president, George Taweh; and principal/CEO of Tecton Architects, Ted Cutler (Photo courtesy of Root Center)

Perspectives: Assess Your Access Control

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 15:04:35 GMT

How do you know if your agency's security and surveillance systems are up-to-date and offering the level of protection that you depend on?

Police departments across the country rely on their security and surveillance systems to keep their staff safe within the station, to secure weapons, to secure detainees, to protect the chain of custody of evidentiary materials, and to maintain the confidentiality of the records that the department maintains. It’s important to keep your systems up-to-date and to a level that they offer you a dependable level of protection.

When I designed my first police station 30 years ago, we used small public service windows with thick ballistic, vision distorting, glass. There were bulky cameras with clunky brackets connected via coaxial cable back to CCTV control units in dispatch that were the size of stereo receivers. Exterior cameras were even bulkier in their temperature-controlled housings. The CCTV monitors at the main desk or in dispatch were cathode ray tube units, with small screens and poor resolution. We were lucky to get four images on a split screen of sufficient quality to view from more than a few feet away. When designing a surveillance system in those days, we limited the number of cameras to reduce cost, to minimize monitor real estate, and to simplify control systems.

On the access control side, it took long discussions with police and facilities staff to decide which doors would get the access controls and which ones would not as we balanced the high cost of hardware, installation, and head-end systems against the need for security and accountability.

As an architect, creating a public lobby atmosphere that was appropriate for departments to serve their community when faced with clunky, institutional-looking materials, and devices was challenging.

Today, the technology around security and surveillance systems are much more powerful and discreet. Society has also changed to accept being recorded more often as cameras are in almost all commercial spaces and even within our homes. In the past, cameras were a sign of an unsafe space that needed monitoring, but that is not the case in today’s environment. These changes, along with advancements in materials technology, have altered the character of secure interior design so that we can design lobbies and public spaces that welcome the citizens the department serves while offering an even higher level of security than in the past.

When designing new police facilities, we integrate up-to-date surveillance and access control systems that offer increased security, greater flexibility, robust technical options, and durability against technological change. The surveillance systems for new stations utilize IP based cameras that are networked so users have the flexibility of providing or restricting access to any computer on the network. The image quality of both cameras and monitors have increased dramatically, allowing more flexibility in handling multiple surveillance images on a single monitor or getting more detail when pulling up a single image for closer inspection. Not to mention, flat-panel monitors are larger, offer better resolution, are less costly, and easier to mount. These technological advances provide enough real estate on a monitor to view the images you need.

Affordable, updated tech

According to Moore’s Law, circa 1970, the processing power of computers doubles every two years, while the cost of computers is halved. Some tech industry experts believe the speed of Moore’s Law is reducing or even coming to a halt, but regardless, today we can purchase much more powerful technology at a reduced cost.

Modern cameras are powered over ethernet (POE) and do not require separate power and data connections, thereby simplifying installation and reducing cost. The reduction in camera cost and the installation savings combine to allow a facility to have more cameras with complete and overlapping coverage of the exterior, all entry areas, the public lobby and the corridors throughout the facility. It is also important to have plenty of coverage in the prisoner processing and cell areas to track the complete movement of anyone entering the area, and to provide real-time observation for both officer and prisoner safety.

In many cases, enhanced features are software-based and exist in the head-end equipment rather than in the individual camera. This allows the owner to customize their software package based on the features they need. Video surveillance systems offer many advanced features such as facial recognition and tracking, and license plate recognition to name a few. These features are software-based and do not require a specialty camera, making the customization of the system easy for the owner. Recently, manufacturers have begun offering solutions to address the pandemic by featuring temperature scanning along with occupancy count monitoring, social distance monitoring, and face mask compliance identification. These features are also software-based and can be added to an existing system without the need to change cameras. This is an example of how modern systems can be upgraded immediately via the software system to address ever-changing needs of the department without having to change out the whole system.

There are other valuable features that will require additional hardware at the camera, but the enhanced capability may be well worth the investment. Optical zoom features that are more powerful than the digital zoom on most cameras may be a better option when you want to observe small details at a great distance. On a recently completed police station project, we mounted such a camera aimed at a primary intersection, where it proved to be useful in identifying traffic violations and individuals with open warrants. Cameras with infrared lighting can offer visibility even under very low light situations and 360-degree fisheyes can give a view all the way around the camera, allowing you to see the entire room. Since most cameras are plug and play with a CAT 6 connection, future upgrades are much simpler than in the past. It is important to understand what you are trying to get from your camera and the level of detail that you would like to achieve. A higher-quality camera with some of these features will cost more money but is probably not needed in each location. Often a vendor or installer will put the same camera in all areas if they do not understand the desired outcome from the owner, resulting in either inadequate coverage, underperforming resolution, and/or excessive cost.

When synchronized audio and video recording is required, such as in an interview room or at the booking station, there are specialized systems available that allow you to initiate both audio and video recording with the touch of a button. Files can be viewed live from authorized network computers or saved to share with others or to review later. These time-stamped files can be stored on a separate server from your surveillance files for simplified back-up and greater storage capacity. A simple way to get more capability is to use these systems in conjunction with the regular video surveillance system within the interview room, providing you with different viewpoints of the same interaction. Also, the video surveillance systems will record everything prior and post-interview in case anything was said before the interview recording was initiated.

Access control software has evolved over the years as well. The credentials used to gain access have evolved from old swipe cards to proximity cards and fobs, and encryption technology improvements have made counterfeit credentials more difficult to fabricate. Some modern systems allow the use of smartphones and virtual keys to allow on-going or temporary access to visitors and staff. Multi-factor authentication, which requires more than one credential to access a space, has improved and the hardware costs have reduced over time. Smartphones, fobs, biometric or PIN credentials can be coupled together to provide greater security in areas like evidence rooms and prisoner handling areas. This feature can help departments meet CALEA standards for drugs, weapons, and valuables storage, or just provide increased security around prisoner areas.

The power of access control is in the reporting. The system creates a record of every individual who accesses a door with a time and date stamp. This means that you can determine who had access and when for secure areas like evidence storage rooms, dispatch areas, armories, and equipment rooms. Access control readers within cell blocks can also be used to establish a record for cell checks. This verification ability will provide greater accountability to improve security, enhance evidentiary chain of custody and document your custodial responsibility for detainees.

How can you assess if it is time for a new security or surveillance system?

Ask these key questions:

Do you have camera blind spots?
Does your surveillance system offer software upgrades to enhance capabilities?
Do you have the flexibility to allow monitoring from any computer on the network?
Do you have sufficient storage for video footage?
Is your access control system a key or a magnetic swipe card?
Does your access control system provide reporting features?
Does your access control system have multi-factor authentication?
Are your access control and surveillance systems integrated together?

When you decide to upgrade your systems there are a few things to keep in mind. The head-end system is key. The software and the server equipment provide the horsepower to offer options and extend the viability over time. If you invest well in this equipment you can extend the lifecycle of the overall system. Be aware that you may need to consider a licensing fee to be sure you have access to software upgrades and enhancements over time. Be certain that you buy from a reputable manufacturer so that hardware support will continue long after your specific camera model has been discontinued.

Also, be aware of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act that bans certain manufacturers from being installed in federal facilities that could introduce security risks. Be certain that your installer/integrator knows how to work with both systems to get the most capability out of the combined security network. Often, users choose to utilize the same company for both access control and video surveillance systems as this can allow operation of all systems within the same software package. Also, some manufacturers can integrate interview, body, and vehicle systems into the same software package as the access control and video surveillance, allowing all systems to be completely integrated. Make sure that you discuss your wants and needs for the system so your consultant can select the appropriate devices for all spaces.

When upgrading your equipment, it is important to think of your vendor as an integrator rather than someone who sells equipment. You can buy cameras off the internet, but without the programming and the integration of the head-end equipment, you may not have access to the many features a vendor/integrator can offer.

Whether Moore’s Law is still in effect in 50 years or not, it seems likely that integrated software enhancements will continue to give security and surveillance systems increased capabilities for years to come.

Pro Tip: Integrate your access control and surveillance

Piggybacking can be a common hack to access control systems. This occurs when one person accesses the door legitimately with a credential, then a second individual grabs the door just before closing and enters without a record. One solution is to utilize a man trap, which is a vestibule with two doors and two access control points. This approach requires the first person who enters the man trap to withhold access to any piggybacker through the first door. Integrating a camera to the access system can highlight unauthorized access and observe the piggyback. Again, via the use of software and linking systems, a signal can be sent that a breach has occurred and an officer within the facility can respond to the unauthorized access in real-time. Permissions can also be set up for specific areas of the facility. For example, the system can be programmed to recognize specific individuals and to send an alarm notifying of a possible breech if it does not recognize someone in the space.

Note: This content originally appeared on Officer.com.

about the author

Jeff McElravy, AIA, NCARB

Jeff McElravy has dedicated his career exclusively to architecture for public safety facilities. As the firm’s Director of Public Safety Design, he brings more than 30 years of design experience, with more than 150 emergency response facilities on his resume. His perspective is strengthened by his long-standing membership with organizations like the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and Connecticut Police Chiefs Association. He is a long-standing member of IACP’s Community Policing Committee and an advisor to the Policing Leadership Group, which works with police agencies and local governments to advance partnership with their communities. As a nationally recognized expert in public safety design, Jeff serves and supports departments and design partners across the country as a planning and design consultant.

Tecton + STEMfems

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 20:59:34 GMT

Closing the STEM gender gap through education.

While women make up nearly half of the labor force, they continue to be underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics professions, constituting just 28% of these STEM fields. The Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry has an even broader gap, where women fill just 10-25% of roles, with slightly higher representation in architecture and lower participation in construction.

The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame is looking to help close this gap through educational programs and resources designed to encourage participation, foster a positive dialogue and inspire girls’ achievements in STEM. On a broad level, the Hall’s mission is to publicly honor the achievements of Connecticut women, preserve their stories, educate the public and promote the continued achievements of women and girls. Founded in 1994 in Hartford, Conn., the Hall celebrates Connecticut’s pioneering women from careers ranging from arts and humanities, business and labor, education and preservation, politics, government and law, reformers, science and health, sports, writers and journalists. The Hall’s Inductee Gallery features 125 Connecticut Pioneers, from Hannah Bunce Watson, a newspaper publisher whose work supported the American Revolutionary War, to Marian Chertow, an industrial ecology pioneer who is currently teaching at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

In particular, the Hall offers educational programs designed to creatively bring women’s history to life for current and future generations. Its STEMfems: Women Transforming Our World events provide an all-day experience to inspire middle and high school girls to consider careers in STEM. Throughout the day, students explore the historical impact of women in these fields through hands-on workshops with professional women, providing an opportunity to both hear and see what a STEM career looks like. The event provides mentors an opportunity to speak with the girls about their own school and career struggles and triumphs and presents girls with examples of empowered women.

“On a daily basis, I have the opportunity to create and coordinate STEM programs for young girls and share how our inductees have overcome gender and race discrimination in their STEM field of choice. These women paved the way and opened up opportunities for future generations despite the obstacles and challenges they had while pursuing their careers,” said Liz Krebs, education manager for the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.

On Feb. 7, the STEMfems program hosted 75 girls from Manchester Public Schools in a series of architectural, scientific and engineering discussions and experiential workshops. Volunteers from Tecton Architects, Gilbane Building Company, Fuss & O’Neill, AECOM, EBAD, Loureiro, Pelli Clarke Pelli and Pratt & Whitney each brought their own spin to the event. Groups created wastewater treatment systems, mitigated oil spills, built rockets and put their own creative stamp on architecture, all while learning about pioneering women in the related field.

Kathryn Mease, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC, Associate and Senior Interior Designer with Tecton Architects, appreciated the opportunity to reflect on the broader influence of women who build. “The products of these fields affect women worldwide. The incorporation of women’s voices, perspectives and involvement have the power to make positive impacts on the daily lives of so many.”

For many of the volunteers, the process of preparing for the event provided an opportunity to reflect on their own reasons for entering STEM fields and rekindled a passion for their work. “Even with a diverse range of personalities and interest, each girl showed an equal amount of passion for what it was they believed in,” said Kaitlyn Dobberfuhl, project engineer with Gilbane Building Company. “This event was as much, if not more, energizing for ourselves as it was for the young girls we were talking to! Sometimes it takes having the opportunity to talk about the work you do to recall the pure reasons that you do it and why it excites you.”

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile.

We've Moved!

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 20:17:02 GMT

Tecton's Hartford studio moves to a new home in the Coltsville district.

2020 marked an exciting transition for our firm, as we began the year in our new Hartford studio.

Designing for ourselves has pushed us to find new ways of thinking, doing and communicating, as we endeavored to create an environment that is authentic to our culture and reflects a collective vision for the future of our firm.

We look forward to unveiling our new space and welcoming our clients, partners and friends!

Perspectives: The Give and Take of Open Floor Plans

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 14:43:30 GMT

Designing an open office environment for Otis Elevator

Open workspaces are a major topic of debate. The ‘pro’ column lists the merits of eliminating the hierarchy of offices, improved collaboration, and the financial benefit of reducing the number of square feet per person. Nay-sayers cite higher stress levels from distractions and noise, a significant increase in interruptions leading to reduced productivity, and a decrease in general job satisfaction. However, the need for these types of spaces is hard to deny. With companies focusing on lean processes and fiscal responsibility, it seems unlikely that we’ll return to the time of plentiful private offices.

So, what if we lean into the swerve? If we’re headed in that direction out of necessity, can we make these spaces prosperous? I believe we can. Sure, we can read articles titled ‘Why It’s Time to Ditch Open Office Plans’ and throw in the towel. But, when people spend 90,000 hours of their life at work, isn’t it our responsibility to make them better instead?

Tecton Architects embraced this responsibility when approaching an office expansion/consolidation project about three years ago for the Otis Service Center in Bloomfield, Conn. As we programmed and test fit the space, an open concept revealed itself as the best approach to achieving the client’s goals, which included the provision of a wide variety of meeting spaces. The space had existed for decades as a single-story building with a low ceiling and fluorescent lights. Within the scope of this renovation, both the call center and the more traditional workspaces would be dramatically expanded.

Our working theory was that, for these spaces to be successful, balance between what is taken from and what is given to the employees is essential. We know from the many articles warning us about removing private offices that noise and distractions must be avoided. Acoustics, then, must be a priority.

With this in mind, we took a layered approach to acoustics. Where carpet was not appropriate, rubber sheet flooring lessens the noise of footfall. We removed the low, under-performing ceiling and sprayed the structure above with K-13 insulation. This absorbs noise created inside the space, and insulates it from outside noise, like loud rainfall. A tunable white noise system impedes the carrying of voices. In the call center and over open soft-seating areas, acoustic ceiling clouds boast a high noise reduction coefficient. All eleven of the various-sized conference rooms have highly absorptive Tectum ceilings. As an added benefit, the industrial-leaning look of these elements well-supports our overall design intent.

Beyond acoustics, elements of choice and wellness are also new additions. By locating all conference spaces on the interior, the new layout provides daylight to every employee. Glass fronts on conference rooms allow light into many of these spaces. To give the staff the chance for greater comfort and control over their individual stations, each employee now has a sit-to-stand adjustable desk. The square footage saved by these concise workstations yielded space for a wide variety of phone rooms, meeting spaces and opportunities for individuals to get away from their workstations. They also provide real motivation to do so with potentially distracting conversations.

The outcome: a quiet workspace where people can focus and have plenty of places to collaborate. The staff is engaged, and even bring their families to see the space. Maybe it isn’t time to ‘ditch’ the open office; first let’s rethink the balance. Let’s give more than we take.

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathryn Mease, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC

Kathryn is an Associate and Senior Interior Designer whose diverse portfolio spans corporate, academic, municipal and healthcare interiors. Her work and perspective have been recognized with features in Westchester Magazine, American School & University Magazine and Floor Focus, with recent awards from CREW CT and the Connecticut Building Congress.

Elevating the Patient Experience Through Playfulness and Discovery

Fri, 24 May 2019 14:54:31 GMT

Connecticut Children's Medical Center Reinvents the Healing Environment

One of the fastest growing trends in healthcare design is the emergence of clinical environments that don’t feel clinical. Healthcare organizations are increasingly drawing on the power of the built environment to enhance and elevate the patient journey.

Research has shown that patient stress is reduced in environments that feel more familiar, comfortable and are easy to navigate. However, there is an additional layer of our human experience that responds when our environments enrich us. In her book “Welcome to Your World”, Sarah Williams Goldhagen states that these well-designed environments can help us flourish by providing nourishment for our mental and physiological well-being.

Ordinary elements of design executed in an extraordinary way can have a positive impact on our capabilities as humans to learn and remember, respond to stress, navigate our world, and take in our environment visually and through movement. “Imbued with character,” these environments are “layered with meaning.”

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center has embraced this approach, demonstrating a commitment to creating patient-centered environments of care and incorporating technology beyond the procedure room.

“Research continues to validate the large role experience design plays in creating healing environments,” said Gil Peri, president and COO. “Connecticut Children’s is reinventing that patient experience and ensuring we do everything we can to create a WOW experience for those children that walk through our doors.”

Working with Connecticut Children’s staff and providers, Hartford-based Tecton Architects was challenged to create environments that build community and nurture healing while facilitating care. Each space harnesses the positive effects of energizing color, soft forms, natural light and biophilic imagery to create a welcoming and reassuring environment for patients and their families. This atmosphere is scalable, from a simple implementation in a waiting room to a complex, themed environment. The Connecticut Children’s brand and spirit are evident as a feeling, more than a literal interpretation of a standard, and provide a common thread between offices and facilities.

In particular, Connecticut Children’s new Infusion Center in Farmington presents a study in imagination and investment in the patient journey. Understanding the grueling hours that children can spend in treatment for chronic conditions, the team envisioned a creative and energizing space that balances patient care and delight. Through physical and digital design features, the feeling of a mystical outdoor adventure was created.

“By layering subtle details throughout the space, each visit offers new discoveries to uncover. From the color-changing lights, to the secret passageways between tents, to the exam room graphics that merge into one, the architecture adds nuance to an otherwise repetitive experience,” said Laurel Clark, project architect for Tecton.

The challenge in crafting these enriched environments lies in establishing balance – blending creativity and practicality, harmonizing playfulness with universal appeal, and synchronizing immersive design with the core mission of providing exceptional care. When we design environments rich in experience and discovery, we fundamentally elevate our human capacity.

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile Magazine.

Construction Institute Visionaries Forum: Creating a Need for Change

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 15:29:36 GMT

The power of an innovative mindset.

In 2010, following a time of major economic upheaval and policy change, Tecton Architects helped the Construction Institute establish the Visionaries Forum with the goal of creating a revolutionary path forward for the A/E/C industry. This first Visionaries Forum focused on tackling the complex problems our industry was facing. Each new year has brought an exploration into the tools, processes, and approaches that have and will continue to radically transform design, construction, and our understanding of the built environment.

"Together, we’ve learned about generative design, digital fabrication, and additive manufacturing. We’ve explored reality computing, artificial intelligence, and robotics. We’ve discovered the possibilities of augmented reality, big data collection, and the power of the cloud. The theories became more tangible, the technologies more refined, but at the core of this program are the visionaries — individuals and organizations who have truly embraced the cultural shift, engaged their staff, and created physical and intellectual environments that promote creativity and invention. It has been a decade full of exploration, groundbreaking innovation, and forward-thinking work. However, if you ask theorists today, the A/E/C industry will see more change in the next 10 years than most of us have seen in our lifetimes."

There’s a phrase: “If you do not see a truck racing towards you, you are unlikely to jump out of the way; likewise, if you do not realize that you are standing on a treasure of gold, you are unlikely to bend down and pick it up.” This idea reinforces the importance for organizations, teams, and individuals to realize and create a need for change, before the act of change can take place. Unfortunately, many people have the tendency to miss the most obvious threats and opportunities because they are blinded by the way things are. So how can we create a need for change? How can we convince the industry to take the blindfold off and see that we are standing on a treasure of gold? Peter Hentschel, founding partner of Tecton Architects, had that vision and was one of the masterminds behind this program. Creating the platform to question the way things have always been; the platform to dissect efficiency, enhance profitability, encourage cultural creativity, improve visualization and implementation; the platform to embrace and incorporate change.

At Tecton, this mindset has remained at the core of who we are and how we operate in the world. As we test and invest in new technologies, we leverage passionate staff, trusting relationships, and A/E/C partnerships to continue to innovate together — to truly involve our clients and reach beyond the paradigm. We keep our eyes on other industries, understanding where technology is heading, and speculating about what lies beyond the horizon so we can make better decisions today. It takes work, it takes a commitment to creating space for potential innovation, collaboration . . . for potential change. But it’s worth it, because the results can be exponential in reach and can truly change the way you do business.

As the interconnection between physical things and digital systems continues to stay at the forefront of the conversation, we must continue to push the conversation, invoke curiosity, and expose how we can prosper in this ever-changing industry.

Note: This content was originally presented by Rebecca Hopkins, AIA, NCARB, EDAC, as the introduction to the Construction Institute's 10th Annual Visionaries Forum, of which Tecton is a founding partner.

about the author

Rebecca Hopkins, AIA, NCARB, EDAC

Rebecca Hopkins, AIA, NCARB, EDAC, is an Associate and Tecton's Manager of Emerging Technology. In this role, she leads the Tecton's technology integration strategy, with a focus on investing in, implementing and integrating technologies that have a tangible impact on the firm’s day-to-day workflows. As a member of Tecton’s Public Safety design studio for close to a decade, she has collaborated with communities and organizations throughout New England in the design of responsive, resilient facilities.

Perspectives: Sustainable Action

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 16:37:55 GMT

The Role of Design

As builders of a sustainable future, our mission is to inspire and protect; to leave the world in a better place than we find it now. Embracing a collaborative, evidence-based approach, we envision a future that is better by design. We ask big questions about our role as environmental stewards and advocates for human health and wellness. Questions such as, “How can the built environment change the course of lifestyle-related chronic disease?” or, “How can we engage the surroundings to help patients recover quickly and holistically?” As sustainability focuses around the individual, there is an exciting movement to bring together design and health. Designers are ambassadors of positive change through their design decisions, and an increased focus is placed on biology and behavior.

The WELL Building Standard exemplifies this approach. Developed with the latest medical research and peer-reviewed by scientists, practitioners, and medical professionals, the standard presents seven concepts (air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, mind) in support of health and wellness.

"While this is important work, it is only part of our mission — the other is to inspire. We do this by recognizing three factors: culture, education, and aesthetics. Buildings are important cultural symbols that communicate our values. They are nonverbal representations of our core beliefs, and sustainable buildings in particular should espouse broader concepts than the baseline of designing to be green. Sustainable buildings should be educational experiences, and we should ask ourselves if the sustainable features are effective communicators. In a recent study, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, discovered that visitors will often point to signage depicting sustainable systems rather than the systems themselves when asked to identify the sustainable features in a building. Finally, sustainable buildings should be aesthetically pleasing. In the same study, when participants were asked to rank the building’s appearance, they gave a negative review. Upon learning it was a sustainable building, several participants reversed their answer. While people tend to feel good by associating themselves with a sustainable building, this is certainly no argument for bland aesthetics, especially when creativity, productivity, and health outcomes have been tied to aesthetic qualities in buildings."

The Role of Behavior

As designers, we can do all these things to the best of our ability and still face the wild card that is human behavior. We humans are delightfully perplexing, and sometimes this means that we do not engage with the built environment as planned. In a study conducted by researchers at the University of Groningen, this is suggested to be a product of our self-identity. They discovered that if you remind people of past environmentally friendly behavior and provide positive feedback, an environmental self-image can be strengthened and sustainable action can be reinforced. While creating an environmental self-image is one component of sustainable behavior, our biology also allows for an external motivator for sustainability — altruism and empathy that translates to action.

The Role of Thought

We know that our biology helps us reach out in social support, but to what extent? Research suggests that a higher level of altruism is associated with environmental concern and lower egotistical values, but it also illustrates that environmental concern is increased by future thinking. That being said, a collaborative study at Nipissing University and Victoria University of Wellington warns against sustainable discussions framed solely in terms of a future-centric world view, for example, the notion that we are preserving our planet for our children’s children. This seems to conflict with what we know about altruism. The authors state that while a future-centric approach has value, it needs to be paired with a minimization of immediate concerns. To understand the reason why, we need to appreciate the difference between abstract and concrete thought. By posing the future-centric world view, we are requiring abstract thought which answers the question “why?” This is more difficult than thinking about concrete concerns, such as cost, which answers the question “how?” and is associated with immediacy. We tend to focus more on immediate concerns that are often personal, rather than adopting superordinate goals in which groups work together for a group reward. The research shows that reduced immediate concerns will allow more future-centric thought and sustainable behavior. All we have to do is minimize immediate barriers by illustrating that we can overcome these obstacles.

We, the builders of a sustainable future, have a powerful mission to inspire and protect. As sustainability begins to focus on the individual in addition to collective health, wellness, and resource preservation, we need to ask even bigger questions. We need to take our responsibility as ambassadors of positive change seriously and work collaboratively towards a future that is better by design. I’d like to close by igniting our capacity for altruism and abstract thought with a quote from the poet Mary Oliver, “Love yourself. Then forget it. Then, love the world.”

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile.

about the author

Melissa M. Roy

Melissa has been a strong presence in the A/E/C industry for nearly twenty years, and has developed and managed projects for clients throughout the Northeast. As an Associate and Tecton's Director of Business Development, she works closely with project teams, clients and partners to cultivate relationships and facilitate successful projects.

about the author

Antonia Ciaverella, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC, Fitwel Ambassador

Antonia is an Architectural Designer whose focus is on the effect of the built environment on human health and behavior. She is both a WELL and LEED Accredited Professional and has earned her Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification. Antonia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in neuroscience at the University of Hartford.

Perspectives: Transformative Healthcare

Wed, 24 May 2017 16:16:06 GMT

The roles of technology, LEAN and evidence-based design

Technological advancements continue to shape our future, a fact that is especially true of the healthcare sector. On its own, technology certainly brings innovation to healthcare, but when paired with a Lean approach and evidence-based design (EBD), healthcare becomes transformative. To maximize this potential and establish a new standard of excellence in patient care, healthcare facilities are increasingly leaning on these design principles.

In a Lean approach to healthcare design, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. The efficiencies designed into the system can result in improved culture, communication, workflows, and employee satisfaction. For patients, going Lean can mean shorter wait times, shorter clinical times, reduction of error, and a higher-quality experience. Built into this system is a feedback loop, leaving room for continuous improvement. This Lean strategy is informed by an EBD approach which uses data collection and analysis, peer-reviewed research, and project-specific data to assess and improve patient experience. Lean efficiencies also allow hospitals to spend money elsewhere, helping compensate for lower reimbursement rates that are cutting into operational needs.

Hartford Hospital’s Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI) offers a leading example of how the interconnection of technology, Lean, and EBD can transform healthcare. This world-renowned surgical simulation center is the largest teaching facility in New England and annually provides nearly 11,000 residents, clinicians, physicians, and surgical specialists with state-of-the-art educational and training opportunities. Locally, CESI is an inspiration to the community’s future STEM leaders, offering tours to local high school students.

CESI’s design incorporates the principle that patient care starts with the physical environment, creating spaces that are both staff- and patient-friendly. For clinical staff, CESI provides collaborative learning opportunities, skills building, and innovative practices that directly translate to patient care. Using a three-part method of teaching theory, learning skills, and practicing proficiency, user groups are trained in simulation spaces that are designed for the real world and are reminiscent of practice. This Lean approach means minimal time lost in translation between the technical skills learned at CESI and their application in a patient care environment. The incredibly innovative program at CESI includes numerous advanced technological features, including medical/surgical patient rooms using hi-fidelity mannequins, debriefing classrooms, and wet-tissue lab training, with designed program expansion of additional robotic training, virtual reality, and lap-box training. CESI is one of only a few facilities in the country to offer a fully comprehensive range of robotic (and other high-tech) training capabilities.

The challenge that facilities like CESI face in integrating technology into the healthcare experience is how to maintain the personal relationship between provider and patient. This human connection remains fundamental, and without it, isolation and confusion can develop. However, with the influence of Lean and EBD, caregiver-patient relationships are easier to maintain. These design principles present value-based approaches that focus more time on employee wellness and patient care, with resulting operational benefits. Applying these strategies into the design and planning of a healthcare building creates more-efficient workflows, minimizes stress on staff, and ultimately allows for more time at patient bedsides. The end result can be a beautiful, efficient space that balances consistency with flexibility and ensures that staff culture is supported by the spatial layout. At CESI, maintaining a human connection between provider and patient is embodied in the social values of the program as a place where healthcare professionals can learn how to better care for their patients. Supporting the educational needs of the medical professionals training at CESI underscores their mission “to assist all healthcare providers in enhancing multidisciplinary team performance, the quality of patient care, and patient safety through a comprehensive range of educational programs using state-of-the-art simulation and cutting edge technologies”.

Integrating technology, Lean, and EBD strategies can transform the healthcare environment and experience, but the process is not without its pitfalls. To truly maximize the standard of patient care, healthcare designers and planners must not lose touch with the human connection.

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile.

about the author

Robert Amatuli, AIA

Robert is guided by a passion for providing healing and patient-centered environments, with more than 30 years of experience in the design of acute, imaging/diagnostics, ambulatory, clinical, behavioral health and senior living environments. As a Principal with the firm, Robert provides additional insight to projects as a quality control and peer review resource.

about the author

Antonia Ciaverella, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC, Fitwel Ambassador

Antonia is an Architectural Designer whose focus is on the effect of the built environment on human health and behavior. She is both a WELL and LEED Accredited Professional and has earned her Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification. Antonia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in neuroscience at the University of Hartford.

tecton-architects13347af1

Retirement Announcement - Robert A. Amatuli, AIA

Tecton Selected to Design Cheshire’s Two New Elementary Schools

After a months-long search, the Cheshire Next Generation School Building Committee has selected Tecton Architects to design two new elementary school projects as part of the Town’s long-term school modernization plan.

Design Fridays Reinvented

Prioritizing creativity and collaboration in a hybrid world.

Tecton Announces Leadership Promotions

Tecton Architects is proud to announce the promotion of four staff members within the firm.

Promoted to Associate Principal:

Promoted to Associate:

Lexington Fire Headquarters Recognized by Firehouse Magazine and F.I.E.R.O.

Tecton Architects, in conjunction with H2M Architects + Engineers, was awarded the top prize in Firehouse Magazine's 2021 Station Design Awards, the Career 1 Gold award. The team was also recognized by the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.) as a Merit Award Winner.

Jeffrey Wyszynski Selected as AGC-CT Designer of the Year

Congratulations to each of this year's nominees, and kudos to Jeff!

Perspectives: COVID Impact on Public Safety Design

Creating safer facilities for public safety personnel and the public they serve

about the author

Matt Salad, AIA, NCARB, MCPPO

Root Center and Empowering Change Through Design

People, Preparation, Process: Lean Healthcare Design and the Human Experience

It's all about people.

Hands-On Lean 3P Event

Consensus-Driven Design Standard

General Dynamics Electric Boat Breaks Ground on Nuclear Support Facility

Creating safer facilities for public safety personnel and the public they serve

Perspectives: Grade Pods and the Gift of Time

Delivering tangible benefits in educational delivery, health and safety

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Note: This content originally appeared in the New England Real Estate Journal.

about the author

﻿ Antonia Ciaverella, EDAC, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador ﻿

Tecton Takes Home Two CREW CT Blue Ribbon Awards

Project Team: Van Zelm Heywood & Shadford, One of a Kind Design, InnoConn Construction Management , O&G Industries and Interscape Commercial Environments

Root Center New Britain Breaks Ground

New Britain Health Center Opening Summer 2021

Perspectives: Assess Your Access Control

How do you know if your agency's security and surveillance systems are up-to-date and offering the level of protection that you depend on?

Note: This content originally appeared on Officer.com.

about the author

﻿ Jeff McElravy, AIA, NCARB ﻿

Tecton + STEMfems

Closing the STEM gender gap through education.

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile.

We've Moved!

Tecton's Hartford studio moves to a new home in the Coltsville district.

Perspectives: The Give and Take of Open Floor Plans

Designing an open office environment for Otis Elevator

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

﻿ Kathryn Mease, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC ﻿

Elevating the Patient Experience Through Playfulness and Discovery

Connecticut Children's Medical Center Reinvents the Healing Environment

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile Magazine.

Construction Institute Visionaries Forum: Creating a Need for Change

The power of an innovative mindset.

Note: This content was originally presented by Rebecca Hopkins, AIA, NCARB, EDAC, as the introduction to the Construction Institute's 10th Annual Visionaries Forum, of which Tecton is a founding partner.

about the author

﻿ Rebecca Hopkins, AIA, NCARB, EDAC ﻿

Perspectives: Sustainable Action

The Role of Design

The Role of Behavior

The Role of Thought

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile.

about the author

Melissa M. Roy

about the author

Antonia Ciaverella, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC, Fitwel Ambassador

Perspectives: Transformative Healthcare

The roles of technology, LEAN and evidence-based design

Note: This content originally appeared in High-Profile.

about the author

Robert Amatuli, AIA

about the author

Antonia Ciaverella, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC, Fitwel Ambassador

Antonia Ciaverella, EDAC, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador

Jeff McElravy, AIA, NCARB

Kathryn Mease, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC

Rebecca Hopkins, AIA, NCARB, EDAC