Healthcare Design - January/February 2023 - 96

f a ce Time
LARA MACKLIN
The design manager at Seattle Children's Hospital
in Seattle talks about her start in the industry, lessons
she learned at design fi rms, and why a career switch
was the best move she's ever made.-Anne DiNardo
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB IN
HEALTHCARE DESIGN?
After being turned down by a large healthcare
architecture firm in Chicago for lack of experience,
I worked for a very small medical supply company,
selecting finishes for medical office building
projects. That lasted only a year until we moved to
Dallas for my husband's work and I landed at HKS,
which changed my life. There, I was fortunate to
work on dozens of large projects all over the country,
many of which were children's hospitals.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LEAVE THE
FIRM SIDE OF THE INDUSTRY AND
JOIN SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IN 2017?
I knew I could make a greater impact on the owner
side, but it's rare to find a position like mine-a
dedicated person focused on interiors-at a hospital.
In my role, I oversee the general design of projects of
all sizes, including finishes, planning, furniture, art,
signage, and drawing standards. I'm grateful that
the Seattle Children's Hospital leadership had the
foresight to create my position.
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS FIRM
EXPERIENCE HELP YOU IN YOUR
JOB NOW?
I talk the same language as our design partners, and
I feel like they can trust my past experience when
discussing projects. All hospitals have a culture that
needs to be respected, so I bring that to the table
because I'm the one who receives the feedback from
our workforce, patients, and families.
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE, WE'LL LIKELY
FIND YOU ...
At the ocean with my husband and on my paddle
board with Lily, my border collie/lab mix.
MORNING PERSON
OR NIGHT OWL?
Morning. I love the morning
sun, a walk with my
pup, and having a quiet
and slow start to the day.
HOW DID YOU
MAKE YOUR FIRST
DOLLAR?
Newspaper route and
babysitting.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT
WORKING IN HEALTHCARE INTERIOR
DESIGN?
It's 100 percent gratifying work that makes a positive
impact for all.
FAVORITE BAND/MUSICAL ARTIST
Prince. I walked down the aisle at my
wedding to his music.
FAVORITE MOVIE
CHARACTER
IF YOU WEREN'T AN INTERIOR
DESIGNER, YOU WOULD BE ...
I'd always like to have a balance of working with
children and dogs in some sort of capacity. I see the
joy and support that animals bring in times of crisis or
stress. I think being a part of that work would be rewarding,
as well, and you can't beat the unconditional
love from a dog.
FAVORITE CITY TO VISIT
Chicago. I have many great memories visiting as a
child and it's where I went to school, met my husband,
and got married.
FAVORITE QUOTE
" Work smarter not
harder. " Not sure who
said it first, but it's a
good one.
THREE RECENT HEALTHCARE DESIGN PROJECTS
AND YOUR ROLE
1
Forest B new main entry on Seattle Children Hospital's main campus,
Seattle, design manager/oversight.
2
3
96
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023
Odessa Brown Community Clinic, Seattle, design manager/oversight.
Prenatal sleep center clinics and autism and behavioral health
clinics, multiple locations, design manager/oversight.
SHOW TO BINGE
WATCH
Right now, it's " Veep, " but
there are many others.
HCDMAGAZINE.COM
SPORT
College basketball.
Forrest Gump. I just really
love the movie.
FIRST ALBUM YOU
EVER BOUGHT
It was either by Prince or
Billy Idol.
GUILTY PLEASURE
Homemade pie.
BENJAMIN BENSCHNEIDER (FOREST B); HAZAL/STOCK.ADOBE.COM (WEDDING); NUZZA11/STOCK.ADOBE.COM (CHILD WITH DOG); SEANPAVONEPHOTO (CHICAGO)

http://www.HCDMAGAZINE.COM

Healthcare Design - January/February 2023

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