We’re thrilled to feature Eric Laudick, senior project manager, in our colleague spotlight this month. Eric is an expert in the planning and design of healthcare facilities, and particularly cancer treatment centers. He will explore the intricate relationship between healthcare design and patient care in these unique and highly specialized healthcare spaces.
Q: How do you approach designing cancer treatment centers to support both patients and healthcare providers?
Designing cancer treatment centers is about creating a balance between functional spaces for healthcare providers and comforting, healing environments for patients. Our approach centers on understanding the unique needs of both groups. For healthcare providers, efficiency, accessibility, and the latest technological integrations are key. For patients, we focus on creating spaces that promote calmness, privacy, and healing — incorporating natural light, serene landscapes, and comfortable waiting areas.
Q: Can you share how your personal values influence your work in this field?
My personal values of empathy, innovation, and collaboration directly influence my work. Empathy guides me to design spaces that genuinely support patients through their treatment journey. Innovation drives me to constantly seek out and apply the latest design techniques and technologies that can improve healthcare delivery. Collaboration is crucial, as these projects require the collective expertise of architects, healthcare professionals, and the patients themselves to create truly impactful spaces. For example, we often get input from the healthcare provider team on what the previous space was like and what complaints or issues patients had. This ensures that the new space will address those concerns and improve patient satisfaction.
Q: When designing a complex space such as a cancer treatment facility, what challenges do you often face and how does the team overcome those challenges?
One of the main challenges is creating designs that are both functional and future-proof. The rapid pace of medical innovation means that spaces must be adaptable to accommodate new treatments and equipment. To overcome this, we engage in continuous learning and collaboration with the entire project team to ensure our designs are not only effective today but also adaptable for future technological advancements.
Q: And how do you ensure that your designs truly meet the needs of cancer patients?
We prioritize collecting feedback from providers, project team members, and even patients and their families to understand their needs, fears, and hopes. We incorporate features like family-friendly waiting areas, private consultation rooms, and spaces for relaxation and reflection, all designed to make the treatment journey as comfortable as possible.
Q: You’ve worked on a lot of cancer center projects. What design aspects stand out the most about these unique spaces?
One of the most exciting and innovative trends in modern cancer center design is the integration of biophilia or natural elements into the design. This approach focuses on how to “bring the outside in,” which enhances the healing environment for patients. For example, we use natural lighting and design elements that mimic the outdoors, creating the feel of walking through a forest with sunlight filtering through trees. We’ve also designed living walls, which require unique engineering solutions to maintain a constant water supply to the plants to keep them healthy.
Beyond the aesthetic and psychological benefits, features like living walls improve indoor air quality. They’re not just visually impressive; they contribute to creating a healthier indoor environment for both patients and staff. These aspects are central to our approach and our aim is to improve the patient experience by connecting them with nature.
Q: Reflecting on your career, what do you find most fulfilling about your work?
The most rewarding aspect for me is visiting a facility years after its completion and seeing it in operation. Observing how patients are cared for and the positive impact our work has on the community – that gives me a lot of satisfaction. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that we’ve contributed to a project that serves and enhances the community, improving the lives of those who use the space.
Eric’s passion for designing healing spaces for cancer patients shines through, emphasizing the importance of empathy, innovation, and collaboration to design cancer treatment centers and other healthcare facilities. His commitment to integrating natural elements and focusing on the well-being of both patients and healthcare providers highlights a forward-thinking approach to healthcare design. We look forward to seeing how his contributions will continue to transform healthcare environments for the better.
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