In 1976 an architectural firm with a staff of two opened its doors in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Today in 2011, with offices in Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Miami, Florida, Saltz Michelson Architects (SMA) is a twenty-four person firm led by two principals, Mark L. Saltz, AIA, LEED AP, and Charles A. Michelson, AIA, LEED AP.

 

Over the past three decades, SMA has assembled a team with years of experience in breakthrough designs that are smart, versatile, and cost effective. SMA creates environments that go beyond traditional design and always meet the client’s needs first and foremost.

 

Having joined the firm in 1980, Charles Michelson is still enthusiastically engaged and motivated by the stimulating environment at SMA. Understanding the complexities of healthcare design, an area of specialty for Michelson, comes with the advantage of “growing up” in the industry.

 

He emphasized that each project begins with a fresh approach to which the firm’s architects apply learned experience and incorporate new trends to bring a personalized architectural solution to each project. Over the past 15 years alone, leaps and bounds in healthcare technology have shaped the new face of healthcare design while a constant desire for patient satisfaction demands higher quality design and more inviting environments.

 

For example, there is more than color, texture and aura to consider; a sense of warmth must be conveyed when designing a maternity unit in the 21st century. Security has become a heightened concern in Mother/Baby Units, and the floor plan needs to accommodate this changing landscape. Therefore security vestibules with acceptable sight lines and carefully delineated security monitoring are a must to adapt to the world in which we live.

 

Another reality by which designers abide is creating space to accommodate automated inventory, a key consideration in Oncology and other inpatient units. Electronic record keeping to immediately document patient care at bedside is also part of the new regimen. Space/technology considerations to handle immediate documentation of updated treatment plans demand both clinical operational efficiencies plus patient sensitive environments.

 

“We don’t want a patient or their family members to feel like they are in a “Space Odyssey”, so careful attention to handling 21st century technology in a warm and friendly environment is always on our menu“, Michelson stated. “Over the years we’ve learned to balance new with tried and true to build on our reputation – client by satisfied client!”

 

The eventual equipment evolution from mobile diagnostics to bedside interventions and robotic simulation are all mobile targets that require a calculated flexibility to lower costs and increase efficiencies in hospital design plans. A patient’s social and medical needs must co-exist in a comfortable and cohesive patient unit.

 

“Our architects pull from their broad range of expertise and interact very early and directly with managers, staff and consumers to be advocates for healing designs,” Michelson said. “We combine years of experience with an enthusiasm to apply new ideas…spending time watching activities, listening to problems and understanding procedures from the initial stages in order to shape a cutting-edge master plan that includes flexibility and adaptability. That’s what readies each project’s architecture for tomorrow’s new opportunities,” he summarized.

 

With this early intervention comes the responsibility to be cautious of differentiating between short and long-term trends. Trend setting does require delicate restraint in order to be a vanguard of useful and long-term design. The firm has learned not to be limited by pre-conceived ideas, but rather to exercise the maturity to balance innovative ideas with those of the client.

 

Research suggests that design and visuals can soothe anxiety and promote healing. However, constant vigilance regarding infection control and awareness of the potential negative impact of synthetics, additives and materials on health and wellness is a cornerstone of advocacy in SMA architectural plans.

 

Along with anticipating tomorrow’s government regulated reform, comes changes in delivery facilities created by aging baby boomers’ needs and expectations. Communities with an emphasis on wellness but including assisted living and convalescence care are definitely a part of the health architecture life-span. Retirement for baby boomers may start earlier and last longer so their health care living space needs will definitely change.

 

Michelson affirms that change is constant. “Within the past twenty years bulky computers soon became laptops, tablets and smart phones!” he noted. Even with our 35 years in the business, we are always open to seizing a new opportunity to design for tomorrow. He also notes the huge impact of technology on every stage of architectural design from 3-dimensional information modeling (BIM) to ensure design documentation, visualization and building phases. According to Michelson, “We use tools such as BIM to identify issues and potential problems and create solutions on the computer and not in the field.”

 

Furthermore, he believes that there is something new to learn from research for almost every new job. That’s how fast changing technology can impact planning and design. “In the future, telemedicine with remote diagnosis and monitoring will require sophisticated data transmission that architects need to be aware of when designing with space and materials. The evolution of telemedicine and remote healthcare via Skype and other programs has no end in sight,” he predicts.

 

“There is no doubt that healthcare is a major specialty in our firm; however, we initially created a diversified business plan”, Michelson stated. “Our client portfolio includes not only healthcare but also retail, office, recreation, banks, government and education. We have never regretted that and believe that the varied expertise we bring provides cross pollination of design ideas and best care scenarios for each sector.” Michelson’s broad base of experience in education, medical and government architectural sectors, gives him a leg up on direction for projects in the public sector for the firm.

 

Their 35 years of intuitive design has earned Saltz Michelson Architects accolades from the South Florida healthcare community, and their continued strategic architectural liaisons with healthcare leaders ensures their reputation will continue to grow.