Simulation

The New Gold Standard for Planning and Operational Efficiency

Data simulations help us understand a building’s performance and how it can be improved. It’s a crucial first step for facilities with constant use and changing needs that are difficult to plan. Simulations reveal the difference between historical metrics and real, volume-based need.

Simulation

The New Gold Standard for Planning and Operational Efficiency

Data simulations help us understand a building’s performance and how it can be improved. It’s a crucial first step for facilities with constant use and changing needs that are difficult to plan. Simulations reveal the difference between historical metrics and real, volume-based need.

The Confidence To Move Forward

Simulation exercises reveal countless insights for planning renovated spaces or new builds. Our tools combine existing usage data and user engagement to better analyze current and projected needs. But that’s not all. It can also reveal current inefficiencies, so long-term planning isn’t based on previously-held assumptions. We study workflow efficiency, user experiences, and different ways facility change can lower costs throughout a department or whole facility. 

  • Data Gathering
    Specific data identification and analysis, user interviews, hands-on stakeholder workshops, and a focus on high-volume, quick-turn days
  • Existing Plan Simulation
    Data visualization, data based on real-world picture, study of true volume-based needs, a focus on S workflow, bottlenecks, efficiencies and areas of improvement, study of adjacent departments and hands-on stakeholder simulation
  • Proposed Plan Simulation
    Projection of ideal-state plans, existing and future-state contrasting, construction management input and hands-on stakeholder simulation
  • Final Concepting
    Detailed concepts around room configuration, unit efficiencies and more and recommendation report for facility and operational improvements
Featured Projects
Surgery Replacement
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SQ FT: 90,000
VISION: Hands-on simulation allowed the operational team to visually understand the program and scale back on the original plan saving over $2M in cost
Emergency Department Renovation and Expansion
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SQ FT: 69,152
VISION: Emergency Care with greater privacy and faster access to care
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
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SQ FT: 120,000
VISION: Deliver the first WELL Certified Medical Education Building that promotes team-based learning and incorporates emerging learning technologies
Addition and Renovation
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SQ FT: 60,300
VISION: Putting the DesignGroup led Master Facility Plan into action, phase one of this renovation included relocating the Emergency Department
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Emergency Department Renovation and Expansion
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Addition and Renovation
Surgery Replacement
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Insights for Better Design Strategy
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Based on Data
All simulations begin with actual volume-based numbers from your system. Data is utilized to either support or refute anecdotal input.
A Multi-Functional Look At Your Reality
From costs and workflow to staffing and visitor experiences, you’ll gain a more complete look at what works and what doesn’t.
Led by Experienced Planners
Our simulations are conducted by DesignGroup’s experienced planners who understand the innerworkings of your facility type.
Compare and Contrast
Simulations show the gap between your reality and ideal state plans.
A Tangible Proof of Concept
Simulation outcomes generate a proof of concept that is visually clear and designed to inform and communicate to other project stakeholders
A Clearly-Defined Roadmap For Your Project
With better understanding, you can more confidently improve the services you provide, staff satisfaction, and more.
What our clients are saying
I feel the exercises we did helped tremendously. It made us think about how our flow was and allowed us to try on what was coming.
Robin Berno, Director Of Emergency Services, Adena Health System
Meet the DesignGroup Simulation Team
DesignGroup architects and interior designers ask good questions, listen intently, and build strong collaborative relationships. It’s the key to understanding your mission and vision, today and into the future.
Sherm Moreland
AIA, ACHA, LEED AP BD+C
CEO
Featured Project:
Emergency Department Renovation and Expansion
Ben Niebauer
RA, LEED AP BD+C
Associate Principal, Education Market Leader
Featured Project:
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Angela Kolosky
ACHA, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Associate Principal, Healthcare Planning Market Leader
Featured Project:
Addition and Renovation
Check out our thought leadership on:
Debunking Standard Planning Metrics

In this piece, DesignGroup’s Sherm Moreland explains how simulation modeling was utilized on a large hospital surgery department to right-size their footprint to create operational efficiencies and save $2.3 million in construction dollars. 

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Request a Simulation
Simulations aren’t often part of a standard architecture engagement, yet they can serve as a preliminary step toward a larger project with DesignGroup. Typical simulations take between three and six weeks, depending on the need. Please let us know how we can provide a clear-eyed analysis of your facility use.