Every minute, every day, the future is happening. Time moves along and one day rolls into the next. It seems as though the future that happens is a pretty predictable straight line projection of the past.

It's rare that an intervention occurs that alters the straight line, particularly with regard to the manner in which we create the physical environment. What is quite predictable is that we endeavor to make our environments look "nice" and operate effectively.

But the most obvious and fundamental aspect of the physical environment has been overlooked: that it can quantifiably contribute to the quality of one's life is a fact. And what better reason could there be to create an environment?

The Center for Health Design strives to create a new, desirable future -- one in which concern for the quality of the human experience is a primary concern as the physical environment is developed. Today, this is not the case. Perhaps in 10 years, it will be.

To encourage this new, desired future, the center is actively pursuing several strategic interventions. These include:

• Educational programs: In addition to its annual Symposium on Healthcare Design (November 14 to 17, 1996, Boston, MA), the center collaborates with and supports a number of organizations in producing their own programs. The center also develops and produces approved continuing education courses.

   

• Publications: The center publishes and distributes an annual journal (proceedings of the symposium), research report and a quarterly newsletter. Additionally, it supports publications with resources and ideas about health care design.

   

• Technical assistance: Free technical advice is available on a variety of topics, ranging from where to locate a product, where to visit a particular type of project, or who to call for a job.

   

• Research: The center is currently engaged in its fourth health care design research project. Three printed reports are available that provide a research-based foundation for design to be more effective in improving the quality of people's lives.

   

• Initiatives: A number of different programs fall into this category, including the three health care demonstration projects that the center was instrumental in developing. Currently a series of work groups are convening to develop guidelines for additions to health care building codes and regulations that will more positively support the quality of the human experience.

   

• Book sales: The center works in collaboration with Raisins Books to provide a complimentary reading list of almost 150 health and design related books.

   

• Design competitions: The center co-sponsors three annual design competitions: one for built projects, one for innovative ideas and one for new products. Each is co-sponsored by an industry leader for the purpose of encouraging fresh outlooks and new thinking.

   

• Council of endorsing organizations: Each year, representatives from almost 20 professional organizations that endorse the annual symposium meet to discuss coordinating their efforts in expanding the awareness of life-enhancing design.

To add velocity to its movement toward a new, more desirable future, the center is governed by a board of directors and receives its guidance from a diverse network of constituent work groups.

Frequently the question arises about the origin of quality design. The center is a strong advocate for organizations to first design and develop their culture as one that truly respects the dignity of each human being, and then create physical design that is an expression of that culture. Only through the rigor of this process is it possible for quality design to be sustained.

Often, inquiries are received about joining the center. The Center for Health Design is not a membership organization. Rather, it is a network of 20,000 concerned individuals around the globe who are actively interested in working toward a new, desired future. There is no fee to participate in this network. One can join by calling, writing, faxing or e-mailing a request to be on the mailing list. The funding for the center's support of this network comes from symposium proceeds, corporate sponsorships and private donations.

In today's world, with the stakes as high as they are, why wouldn't we all want to work together toward a new, desired future in which the built environment better supports the quality of our lives?

Related Articles » Good Design Is Good Customer Service » How Interior Design Improves Productivity » A New Experience for Home Offices » Design team creates new statement in a familiar place. » Art Deco Echo » What Does a Designer Actually Do? » Eco Design Matters: What's Green? » No More Great American Lunch Hours » Design for Disability » Understanding Disabilities