Office Space Planning and Design for Medical
Practices: Part 3, Implementation,
Design, and Construction
Richard C. Haines, Jr.* and Jeffrey K. Griffin*
T
he decision to build anew or remodel/add-on to your existing fa-
cility can be a tough one. Once that decision is reached, the im-
plementation of design and construction presents many difficult
hurdles on the road to achieving a functional office space in a
cost effective manner.
This article will continue to explore just how a practice goes
about that implementation process.
Key words: Medical practice facilities; building new medical practice facilities;
remodeling medical practice facilities; planning medical practice facilities.
Editor's Note: In this issue, we present the third of four articles that describe the process of evaluating space needs, plan-
ning, and construction for medical offices (see Volume 18, Pages 244249 and Pages 299303.). Although some readers
may not currently be contemplating remodeling or new construction for their practices, we believe the points described
will be of value for understanding the intricacies of the process. (Parenthetically, they are useful as a background even
for home improvements!)
INTRODUCTION
IMPLEMENTATION: DESIGN
AN D CONSTRUCTION
In the previous articles in this series, we have been
concentrating on the nuts and bolts of assessment and
The process of designing a new medical office is
planning, giving the left side of our brain a heavy workout
complex and requires the talents and expertise of many
in analyzing your practice and determining how you should
professionals. Keep in mind that the more complex your
move ahead. You have decided that a new or remodel pro-
practice, the more complex the design process. However,
ject is the best way to achieve your practice goals, and
smaller offices should go through the basic design steps to
more than likely, you are now ready to start pounding
arrive at the goal of a maximally productive office.
nails. You have a ways to go before the concrete trucks
Why an Architect?
show up.
In reviewing the Flow Chart that has been part of
First, you will need the services of a design profes-
each article, we are now further down the decision-mak-
sional who is trained and experienced in medical design.
ing tree (Fig. 1). Now we will start to give form to the
If your project is a new building, you will need an archi-
spaces needed to support your practice as well as discuss
tect, as mandated by state laws. An architect functions on
the construction process of getting the office built.
two parallel levels: on one level the architect is working
for you on the design of your new building, and on another
level the architect is working for the general public in pro-
tecting their health, safety, and welfare when it comes to
*Senior Medical Planning Consultants, Medical Design International, 2100
East Exchange Place, Suite 400, Tucker, GA 30084; phone: 770-939-7950;
the completed environment. Architects are familiar with
fax: 770-939-7522; E-mail: haines@mdiatlanta.com.
Copyright 2002 by Greenbranch Publishing LLC.
the building codes, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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