Healthcare Design - November/December 2024 - 18

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Q&A
Carolyn Ames Noble
Principal, Ames Design Collective; Chair, ASID Foundation;
WELL AP, WELL Faculty, Member USGBC
Innovation is critical to
advance healthcare.
What role does innovation
play in the design of
healthcare spaces?
Innovation is imperative to
healthcare design. Thinking
of innovation in two specific
drivers, we find space planning
and materiality. Through space
planning, we can realize and
outfit interior spaces that allow
for rest and healing, gathering
and community for both patients
and their providers. There is also
momentum to find materials that
are durable, long lasting, cleanable
and sustainable in nature.
In what ways does Durasein
work to innovate its
product lines?
Durasein is ever moving forward
to make sure that its solid
the channels or gaps between
materials like tile and grout.
Furthermore, thermoforming
can become an entire design
element - a design feature
can be made into shapes,
bends, folds or curves - this is
innovation at work!
surface is going to be on trend
for color, pattern, texture and
finish. Durasein's solid surface
is nonporous, durable and
easy to clean. Durasein solid
surface can be thermoformed
for seamless design - which
removes the possibility of
bacteria or viruses growing in
What are clients asking for
when it comes to innovation
in healthcare surfaces?
Color, material and finish
considerations are more than
ever becoming a tool for healing
in spaces. Biophilic design
takes the healing and calming
properties of nature into the
built environment and colors
like yellows, greens, blues and
browns can be so indicative of
being outdoors.
Neuro-architecture is the
intersection of neurological
studies with the built
environment. Neuro-architecture
examines the connection
between the built environment
and brain function - focusing
on emotional, cognitive, and
physiological responses.
Can you give us an example
of a product innovation
you're proud of?
Firstly would be Durasein's nonoverflow
sink, the DLB411 'Andy,'
which innovates on hygiene
by eliminating areas prone to
bacterial buildup-ideal for
healthcare and hospitality settings.
Zaha Hadid designed Civic Art Centre using Durasein Solid Surface. Photo: Courtesy of Durasein
Durasein also recently
launched four new marbleinspired
colors-Starstruck,
Euphoria, Heartfelt, and
Spellbound-giving designers
fresh options with a touch
of sophistication. These
advancements highlight
Durasein's commitment to
blending function with beauty in
solid surface design.
What's an industry challenge
that's on your radar and how
can innovative thinking help
solve it?
There is this fear that AI
will somehow replace, well,
everything and everyone
- including designers and
architects! Rather, I think this
conversation needs reframing by
design leaders. Human beings
need to be in the driver seat
of design and utilize tools like
parametric technology and AI
to further their design thinking.
The empathy and creativity of
humans are boundless!
durasein.com

http://www.durasein.com

Healthcare Design - November/December 2024

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