Exterior of Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute during the day, a large brick building with large floor to ceiling windows

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

building exterior on college campus at dawn

Healthcare, Education, Science & Technology

The Ohio State University

Exterior landscape of McConnell Residence Hall while two student ride past the building on their bikes

Education, Commercial

The Ohio State University

Interior of a modern workplace with all glass conference rooms, couches and chairs that are gray and blue.

Commercial

Investor Startup Studio

Healthcare

OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital

Healthcare, Education, Community

Reflections on 2023

One of the things we love about the Big Ideas articles on our website: It allows our people to show another side of themselves. Writing is never easy and yet, year in and year out, our people share their expertise, their interests, and their heart. These articles often show just how personal the work we do can be.

In that spirit, our final post of 2023 is a little different. Instead of a single writer, we asked several of DesignGroup’s leaders to share their thoughts on anything from the past year, from project work to individual interests. We’re proud of what they have to say—and proud to work with them every day.

“As we wrap up 2023, one shining moment stands out—the launch of DG's Mentorship Program. Imagine a world still spinning in the VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) environment, with remote work throwing curveballs, and yet there we were, seeking our footing amid uncertainty. In the face of these changes, our innate human craving for connection and community not only persisted but intensified. The Mentorship Program wasn't just a program; it was a lifeline. Acknowledging its pilot status, we knew adjustments would be necessary, and kudos to our leadership for investing time and resources into its success.

"As we delve into survey data bidding adieu to 2023, the triumph isn't merely in the numbers. It's in the vibrant hum of conversations echoing through virtual spaces and hallways, the unexpected connections blossoming between offices, and the sheer joy of generations and cultures converging, creating an environment rich in belonging and learning. The data doesn't just confirm a successful mentorship program; it validates a vibe, a community in the making.

"So let's raise a toast to the Mentorship Program—the unsung hero that transformed the year into an epic tale of connection, inclusivity, and the cultivation of a robust sense of community within our organization. Here's to more in 2024!"

Veneetha Jose, SPHR, PHR
Director of Human Resources

Group of people sitting around a table discussing architectural plans.

“This year I focused on integrating ‘Slow Living’ principles into my work life. As DesignGroup’s Education Market Leader, I travel quite a bit, and this year one trip took me to Bradford, PA. While the work we did with our client there was itself invigorating, the five-hour drives to get there were not always so. However, each trip to Bradford offered the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Allegheny Forest region in which Bradford is nestled. I relished these moments and protected the time to slow down and connect to nature in my travels, a practice that exposed me to new places like the Marilla Reservoir and the North Country Trail, and even yielded a close encounter with a giant golden eagle! This act of slowing down not only allowed me to create a deeper connection with myself and with nature, but also yielded a more impactful relationship with my clients.”

Ben Niebauer, RA, LEED AP BD+C
Associate Principal + Education Market Leader

“As I stop for a moment to reflect on 2023, it feels like the year flew by in a blur and I am surprised that it’s almost over, wondering where the time went! When I close my eyes in concentration to shut out the noise, certain moments start to come into focus… and then several more spring to life, bursting like popcorn.

"There are images of my kitties cuddled together or next to me, their little bellies to the sky in total trust and comfort, one paw covering their face. Walks on the beach with my husband or through the woods with my friends and family on weekend getaways. Project openings like the OSUWMC James Outpatient Care and the Directions for Youth and Families Crittenton Community Center filled me with awe and wonder for the impact they’ll have on our community and for the people I worked with throughout the process doing that amazing work. Laughter, joy, loss, and moments of sadness come along with this reflection. Yet what rises to the top as I open my eyes: curiosity and feelings of hope for what 2024 brings. I smile thinking back and looking forward to all that touched my life and heart—and am excited for those encounters and adventures yet to come!"

Alana Haslow, LEED AP ID+C
Principal, Senior Interior Designer

Exterior view of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center James Outpatient Care. — The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center James Outpatient Care

“If 2023 were a movie (and because it’s celebrating its 20th anniversary), it was a little like “Love Actually”—a year filled with a plethora of successes and challenges alike. From big project wins to some difficult losses, we saw our people recognized on a regional and national level for their talents and gritty determination. Through each of those situations, we grew and became a stronger team. We used the challenges we faced as learning and growing opportunities to be stronger, to build new relationships and new friends, and find new pathways for success. As the movie says, love is all around us as we rededicate ourselves to our craft and the typology of healthcare for 2024.”

Christopher Haedt, AIA, NCARB, ACHA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal, Columbus Healthcare Practice Group Leader

“What I love most about being an architect is delivering projects that influence lives. Two experiences from 2023 struck this chord in me, filled me with joy, and made me so proud of the thoughtful work of my talented colleagues.

“The new facility for Directions for Youth and Families rooted a place in the hearts of many of my DesignGroup colleagues. Although I was not on the project team, touring the building felt like living the promise of our profession. In particular, the two art installations created under the direction of Alana Haslow are stand-out pieces that bring added life to the spaces in which they reside, evoke feelings of overwhelming positivity, and reflect the love and care that define Alana and the core values of DG.

“The other experience I want to share is watching the James Outpatient Care Center become populated with staff and patients. We don’t often get as close a look of how a building transforms from a construction site to beautiful space as I was afforded. I was witness to the vitally important patient experience, from being greeted in a sun-filled lobby by warm wood tones and smiling faces, to an infusion treatment in a room with a view. The facility reflected the promise of world-class healthcare. It really did work as a place to get and be well."

Jennifer Son, AIA
Associate Principal, Project Architect

Exterior view of the Directions for Youth and Families Crittenton Community Center during autumn. — Directions for Youth and Families Crittenton Community Center

“The highlight for me this year was seeing the Directions for Youth and Families Crittenton Community Center open its doors. The project is so meaningful for the community; it serves and represents a decade of focused hard work by the organization’s amazing leadership. And it was an incredibly rewarding experience to design it. Working on that project also highlighted a broader theme for the year—how nice it is to work every day with smart, passionate people who truly want to do great things for the people and communities we serve. The Crittenton Community Center team exemplified this, but I had the privilege of working with so many great teams around the office, across markets and practice groups, throughout the year.”

Joseph Mayer, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP
Principal, Senior Designer

“When I look back at 2023, I am so proud of the collaboration with our clients, engineering, and construction partners. It has been a pleasure navigating challenges together, learning from each other, and achieving common goals. Clients in all markets have felt the competitive pressures of people and resources in 2023. As architects we play a role in helping our clients make the right strategic investment of their always-limited capital.

“I’m especially proud of the diversity of DG associates that have presented at national conferences, a testament to their leadership, foresight, and passion. In addition, we celebrated the 11th year of hosting a national think tank for healthcare space in our offices to inform and challenge our clients and team.

“As a fourth-generation leader within such a respected firm, I’ve been reflecting on a special event earlier this year, when DesignGroup’s founding principals visited the job site of what is now the largest project our company has been a part of—the new OSU Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital. We have come full circle to see their foresight continuing to influence us as we evolve with an ever-changing business landscape, while staying true to our core values and aspirations.”

Jennifer Horvath
President + Managing Principal

Exterior view of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital. — The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital

“This is the perfect moment to reflect on my first full calendar year at DG, and there is so much to be thankful for. First, to my PG4 team: I am so proud of the work you’ve all done, stretching yourselves, pushing and supporting each other, exploring new professional territory and roles, and for your guidance to help me understand and reflect DG in the initiatives we accept together. To the DG leadership team, thank you for making such a safe and welcoming space to learn about the firm, gain comfort with our systems and for openly receiving my thoughts and ideas with genuine interest.

“On a more personal note, it’s been such a powerful and vulnerable journey to pivot my career to DesignGroup after the continuity and momentum of more than 25 years with a global design firm. To decouple my professional brand from the past and reassemble and reestablish a refreshed career with all of you. As you might imagine, it's exciting, rewarding, and energizing, while at the same time, unsettling, challenging, and at times uncertain. What I’ve gained most this year is the deepest respect for each of our staff and a desire to continue the journey together. I look forward to our growth and success in the years to come!”

Alan Schlossberg, AIA LEED AP
Principal + Regional Practice Leader

“The most gratifying aspect of the year was the opportunity to work with such a talented, committed, and diverse team. From engagement with leadership and staff alike, our team members brought thoughtful insight and a genuine interest to decisions that strengthened our futures together, both personally and professionally.

“With the guidance of Veneetha Jose, in 2023 we embarked on two critical initiatives in support of firm growth: our Mentorship Program and EDI Committee formalization. These initiatives exemplify the commitment to our firm growth, the support and respect we encourage to each of our fellow team members, and the reliance of all team members to serve as integral components of this growth. It is extremely satisfying that our path forward together has never been as supportive or inclusive for all of our team members.”

Tom Chidlow, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Managing Principal, Pittsburgh Healthcare Practice Group Leader

“2023 saw a few of our projects through to construction completion, as well as the start of several new planning studies for our institutional partners. There’s a poignancy in the balance of wrapping one thing up while, at the same, envisioning a new future space for another project and partner. This year was also my presidency year for AIA Pittsburgh, providing new professional challenges for me and opening many new doors. This chapter is coming to a close, but there is still more I want to do in this effort of community building. There will be more opportunities to come.”

John Ryan, AIA, LEED AP
Associate Principal, Project Manager

View through a doorway in the University of Pittsburgh University Club Housing. — University of Pittsburgh University Club Housing

“2023 allowed for the continued development of client relationships that have been so important to our Pittsburgh Office. But if I had to single out one thing that allowed for my personal development, it would be the work on the Project Manager Role clarity, specifically the PM Clarity tool Mike Forejt and I have been developing over the course of 2023. This exercise afforded us an opportunity to dig deeper into the Project Manager Role and truly appreciate the depths that our position requires. Work like this isn’t the highest-profile thing we do at DesignGroup, but it’s essential to our client success. And that’s always what’s most important.”

Thomas Stanko, AIA, ACHA
Associate Principal, Project Manager

“Last year was DesignGroup’s 50th Anniversary. This year was my 25th working at DesignGroup. I’ve done a lot of reflecting in the past two years, and my brain and my heart are full of so much gratitude, pride, memories of extraordinary accomplishments, and work yet to be done. For brevity, however, I would summarize all these thoughts this way: Even better days are in front of us. I am fortunate to work with the most talented professionals in the business and a team of leaders that has the creativity, passion, skill, and ambition to take DG exactly where we want to go. In the spirit of the season, cheers to a future that is merry and bright!”

Sherm Moreland, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP BD+C
CEO

Healthcare

Improving Design for Substance Abuse Victims

by Heather Clark

NCIDQ, EDAC, CHID

Senior Interior Designer

Detox is the first step to getting clean. As our nation is all too familiar, withdrawal from various substances can be an arduous, life-threatening experience. It is vital for people in recovery to enter a facility designed for the most physically challenging part of their journey to recovery.

I recently concluded a renovation project for Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital in Monongahela, PA. It was a tremendously fulfilling experience, not just because it exceeded the needs of our client, who now has a facility designed specifically for these people in need. My connection to the project goes much deeper. It was personal.

Growing up an only child, I was blessed with a cousin who was like a little brother to me. In high school he suffered a sports injury, and during rehab he was prescribed narcotic painkillers. Like so many young people in recent years, he became addicted to them. His addiction led to heroin use, which eventually led to his death—attributed to heroin laced with fentanyl. Again, like so many young people today.

My cousin fought his addiction for over 10 years. He was in and out of treatment facilities while trying hard to work and attend school. He once stayed clean for nearly a year. But he never found the right facility for a full recovery, nor the professionals to truly push him through.

Community room in PHMV. — Community spaces offer opportunities for relaxation.

Inspired by Personal Experience

I thought of my cousin every day as I worked on this project. I imagined how he might have felt entering a hospital detox unit, scared and alone, frustrated with himself. I did my best to channel that empathy to a solution that would help more people like him.

I had a partner in this project, who also brought personal experience to the task—but from the professional side. Mimi Fablo is a consultant in medical detoxification hired by the hospital to assist our team. Early in her career, Mimi had served as a nurse, working her way to up hospital leadership before leaving to consult on projects like this.

Set in a rural community dealing with the opioid crisis every day, PHMV's new detox unit is now a model for helping people recover from addiction and crisis. We’re incredibly proud of it. “Together,” Mimi likes to say, “we wrote a story that combined consultant, designers, hospital leaders, and staff.”

Patient room in PHMV. — Following behavioral health guidelines, patient rooms contain anti-ligature furnishings.

Following Guidelines

Designing a medical detox unit requires a mix of codes, treatment intent, staff, and safety to create a space that is not only functional, clean, well-lit, but also conveys hope. “A no-judgement, welcoming space,” as Mimi describes it. Detox clients at a hospital, she points out, are there voluntarily. “If they so choose to end treatment, they can merely walk-out,” she says—unlike a behavioral health unit, where the client is essentially locked in. Creating a detox unit within a hospital must be approached differently.

Hospitals must follow stricter codes for construction & renovation. From a FGI Guideline standpoint, it needs to meet those of a behavioral health unit within the 2022 guidelines, which includes anti-ligature requirements (to prevent patient self harm).

Most patients are evaluated in this center, and in many cases stay. But detox patients often require additional care for other medical issues, such as malnutrition, blood disorders, and more. Behavioral health might also need to be addressed. In total, this project resulted in 14 bed units configured for four levels of care.

Person sitting in a window seat looking outside in a hallway of PHMV. — Window seats look out to pastoral views.

Using Nature to Inspire Hope

The space we created brings the outdoors in, which provides a positive distraction and aids in with the healing process. Despite it being an older facility, we created spaces that are unique and therapeutic. Patients here are broken and looking to be healed; the beautiful, pastoral views provide calm and biophilic benefits.

The secret to all that light? Total reconfiguration of what had previously been a med surgical unit. The space had been blocked in by restrooms; we relocated them, replacing them with large windows and adding benches to take respite. Patients and visitors see verdant fields with deer and grazing cows. All in a facility that’s fully compliant with health and safety requirements.

Not only does the space fill patients with hope, it’s healing to the professionals who work there, as well. Their jobs are hard; they see their patients struggle and sometimes retreat into addiction. Staffing in the past had been a challenge. Today, people want to work in this department because it looks so different from traditional behavioral health settings.

Creating the interior design of this project was the most rewarding experience of my career. I’m eager to hear more stories about how it benefits their community in the future.

Heather Clark

NCIDQ, EDAC, CHID

Senior Interior Designer

More about Heather

Education

Achieving WELL Certification in Healthcare Education

by Alana Haslow

LEED AP ID+C, NCIDQ

Principal, Senior Interior Designer

It’s no surprise that medical school is challenging – med students not only have to manage an intense amount of technical and practical learning, but must also come to terms with the responsibility of caring for real people. Studies have shown the grind can negatively affect the health of even the best and brightest of future physicians “Medical students enter as some of the healthiest [in the university], and leave as some of the most unhealthy,” says Ken Johnson, D.O., executive dean of Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (HCOM). “We need to change that."

So when OU began the design phase of its new Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine building in Athens, Ohio, it put health and wellness at the heart of the project. The project, completed in 2021, was just awarded WELL Certification Silver level, one of the first medical education buildings in the country to achieve it.

The certification demonstrates OU-HCOM’s commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of their students, faculty, and staff, which included changes to internal policy and supply chains beyond architecture. WELL is a roadmap for supporting the health and wellbeing of people and organizations, and the WELL Building Standard is a library of holistic, evidence-based building and organizational strategies that, when implemented, can have a direct impact on the inhabitants.

DesignGroup partnered with the firm Perkins&Will to create not just a new model for a building, but a new mindset for modern medical education. The project helped OU establish its Pathways to Health and Wellness Curriculum. We’ve never seen a built environment and educational mission align quite like this – the university’s goals were perfectly aligned with DesignGroup’s legacy of creating architecture that responds to societal needs. We loved being part of an effort to push these values even further.

Exterior view of Ohio University Heritage Hall during the day. — Ohio University Heritage Hall

Medical Student Burnout Is Real

Studies estimate that between 35 percent and 54 percent of U.S. nurses and physicians have substantial symptoms of burnout, and the range for medical students and residents is between 45 percent and 60 percent.

In fact, there are indications that burnout is a problem among all clinical disciplines and across care settings. And recent health crises haven’t helped. Nearly 60% of nurses and 20% of physicians say they considered leaving the profession due to Covid stress.

Administrators at OU were determined to reverse this trend. “By designing with the WELL Building Standard, the Heritage College has imbued our wellness philosophy into our learning, teaching and working environment,” says Johnson of OU. “It gives me great pride to know that we are ‘walking the walk’ of wellbeing through a facility that fosters the very type of healthy lifestyle that osteopathic medicine promotes.”

Students studying and writing on a whiteboard at Ohio University's Heritage College. — Heritage Hall Student Collaboration Room

Investment in a Vision

Every ambitious plan starts with goals. OU leadership and our design team chose to take “an osteo approach to building design” – finding literal inspiration from the content of this medical specialization. Wellness was a key driver from Day One. The 120,000 square foot Heritage Hall is modeled on the three tenets of osteopathic medicine, mind, body and spirit, which are expressed through openness, infusion of light, and a focus on wellness that fosters collaboration, connectivity and physical activity.

The design team created client engagement and enthusiasm though more than 3,500 hours of collective team collaboration, identifying priorities for building functionality, flexibility, aesthetics, connection to other OU campuses, and, of course, healthfulness.

A WELL Matrix was established as an initial assessment, followed by study of WELL requirements for policy/procedure, design/construction, facilities/food service/procurement. Extensive student and faculty experience mapping was integral to the design.

The project’s WELL requirements included:

Operational Features

Healthy food options
Space for eating and daily meal breaks
Restorative spaces
Mental health support
Assigned time off to decompress
Monitor and solicit feedback

Interior view of the Cafe in Heritage Hall. — Heritage Hall Cafe

Design Features

Strategic thresholds for limiting organic and inorganic gasses
Monitoring of fundamental air parameters
Sediment and microorganism thresholds
Point of use filtration for potable water
Easy drinking water access (making it a “first choice”)
Increased use of radiant heat
Light levels tha optimize visual acuity and control for glare, brightness, and flicker
Natural light exposure
Support of ergonomics
Aesthetic circulation networks
Materials optimized for health by restricting certain elements and compounds

Two people in a naturally lit room doing stretches on yoga mats. — Heritage Hall Mindfulness Space

Design Specifics

OU’s HCOM building has a multitude of uses. There are classrooms, of course. But also food service and dining areas, gathering areas for socialization and decompression, fitness spaces for health and stress management, quiet spaces for rest and reflection, and offices and meeting rooms. It is a dynamic, flexible space that represents the future of medical education.

The atrium is the heart of the building, providing an abundance of natural light and views to the outdoors. It connects all three floors visually and physically. Two open stairwells encourage vertical circulation and movement, as well as a continuous 1/8 mile walking path around the second floor. Natural materials such as wood, brick, and tile, and a neutral and timeless palette of dark and light grays, offer a backdrop for learning and views to nature.

DesignGroup and Perkins&Will recently collaborated on a presentation that expands on the ideas in this article. For a deeper dive into OU’s commitment to wellness, and how our team achieved this covered WELL certification, please contact contact Senior Business Development Manager Lindsay Andrews.

Alana Haslow

LEED AP ID+C, NCIDQ

Principal, Senior Interior Designer

More about Alana

Nurse station with a peek into a couple of blood transfusion patient rooms

Healthcare

OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital

Healthcare, Education, Commercial

Ohio University

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