The Center for Health Design

The Center for Health Design Research: We help facilitate research on how the design of the built environment affects outcomes.

The Center for Health Design is a non-profit organization - through design research, education and advocacy we improve and maximize health, safety and wellness in environments where people live, work and heal. A major initiative is the Pebble Project, a unique and dynamic collaborative, where forward-thinking healthcare, design, and industry professionals learn, research, and share information wit

h one another. Our website has more than 40 free research reports and whitepapers that link the built environment to outcomes and searchable databases of relevant research and project examples. Education: Our Evidence-based Design Accreditation & Certification (EDAC) program is an internationally recognized educational program that awards credentials to individuals who demonstrate a thorough understanding of how to apply an evidence-based process to plan and design healthcare facilities. With more than 1,200 certified individuals since its launch in 2009, EDAC is quickly becoming one of the healthcare design industry’s most important credentials. Each year, more than 4,000 individuals attend our annual Healthcare Design conference and 30,000 subscribe to Healthcare Design magazine (both produced by Vendome Group in association with CHD). Advocacy: We recognize and promote excellence in design and leadership through 5 award programs. By providing input into the Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, we are advocating for change in the building codes and standards. A partner in the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, we are an active participant in a coalition of major health systems and organizations committed to improving sustainability and safety across the healthcare sector. Hundreds of individuals and organizations are engaged to support our work and help transform the industry through our affiliate membership program.

Behavioral health environments are some of the most challenging spaces to design. Each design decision has an intentiona...
07/25/2025

Behavioral health environments are some of the most challenging spaces to design. Each design decision has an intentional or unintentional impact on the relationships of all stakeholders.

Often, state psychiatric hospitals are the highest acuity settings with forensic patients in their care. The stigma of the asylum system is still prevalent but changing with each project.

Hear Arien Cartrette of architecture+ and Jon Sell and Stephen Parker of Stantec share how the latest evidence-based design strategies—like single occupant rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and accessible social spaces—can transform state psychiatric hospitals to promote dignity, safety, and healing. Learn more and register: https://loom.ly/OJCCfZ4

Thank you to our webinar sponsors: Accurate Lock & Hardware Co., Altro, Kenall, ModuForm, Inc, Norix Furniture, Patcraft, Pineapple Contracts, Spec Furniture, Stance Healthcare, Vale Secure and Whitehall Manufacturing

Put these upcoming healthcare design events on your calendar! View our July 2025 Upcoming Events newsletter here: https:...
07/25/2025

Put these upcoming healthcare design events on your calendar! View our July 2025 Upcoming Events newsletter here: https://loom.ly/nAVS_z4

Touchstone Award submissions are open until August 15! If you and your team have employed the evidence-based design proc...
07/25/2025

Touchstone Award submissions are open until August 15! If you and your team have employed the evidence-based design process in a healthcare project (built or conceptual) or product of any type, we encourage you to explore this recognition opportunity and apply.

Award recipients will be honored at The Center's Award Ceremony at the 2026 PDC Summit in Houston; receive feature coverage in Health Facilities Management Magazine; gain exposure throughout the year to The Center's 27,000+ global community; and to the American Society for Health Care Engineering community of 12,000+ healthcare provider and facilities professionals. Learn about our Touchstone Award here: https://loom.ly/A4S8XfE

The Center for Health Design’s EDAC program awards a credential to individuals who demonstrate an understanding of how t...
07/24/2025

The Center for Health Design’s EDAC program awards a credential to individuals who demonstrate an understanding of how to apply an evidence-based process to the design and construction of all settings that contribute to health, safety and wellbeing including measuring and reporting results. If you would like to distinguish yourself for your knowledge and practice of EBD in healthcare, we encourage you to become EDAC certified. Learn about the EDAC appellation here: https://loom.ly/kHmaTYI

Join us on August 5 for a free Changemaker Voices of the Industry webinar honoring Gaius Nelson, RA, EDAC—a pioneer in p...
07/24/2025

Join us on August 5 for a free Changemaker Voices of the Industry webinar honoring Gaius Nelson, RA, EDAC—a pioneer in person-centered design for aging and senior care. For over 40 years, Gaius has shaped national guidelines and championed environments that support dignity, autonomy, and innovation.

Gaius will be joined by longtime colleagues Maggie Calkins of IDEAS Institute and Tom Jung of Thomas M. Jung Consulting, LLC for a candid discussion on his impact, insights, and the future of healthy aging design. Whether you're a designer, provider, or policy advocate, this session offers practical takeaways and a powerful reminder of how thoughtful design can shape lives. Learn more and register: https://loom.ly/WaY2DNg

Share, tell and show us what you know! Every year, in dozens of webinars, workshops, network meetings, panel discussions...
07/23/2025

Share, tell and show us what you know! Every year, in dozens of webinars, workshops, network meetings, panel discussions, topical forums and other events, we engage thousands searching for the latest and most innovative, inspiring and effective solutions to today’s healthcare design challenges.

We’re looking to share our global stage with subject matter experts, practitioners and thought leaders who can generously share their knowledge, ideas and experiences on a wide range of healthcare design topics with our healthcare design community. Our educational content and programs are regarded industry-wide as among the best, and feature both well-known industry veterans and ambitious up-and-comers. Sound like something you're interested in? Complete our quick and simple interest form to get started! Learn more: https://loom.ly/wLziT1s

What makes our coaching workshop different? You get personal attention from an expert coach pre-matched to express your ...
07/23/2025

What makes our coaching workshop different? You get personal attention from an expert coach pre-matched to express your individual needs, who can help you take your first steps or guide you through high-level strategies to advance your practice, project or personal skillset.

Our workshop is a unique, in-depth, collaborative opportunity to learn, and then with the input from your personal coaching session, you can begin to put new ideas and activities into practice the very next day. Register now for Advanced savings and join us for the Practical Application of Evidence-Based Design Workshop! Learn more: https://loom.ly/VirDmCw

Our August 15 Touchstone Award submission deadline is approaching. If you and your team have employed the evidence-based...
07/22/2025

Our August 15 Touchstone Award submission deadline is approaching. If you and your team have employed the evidence-based design process in a project (built or conceptual) or product of any type, we encourage you to explore this recognition opportunity and apply. Submissions can be made and are eligible for award recognition at multiple points in the project lifecycle. Learn more about our Touchstone Award here: https://loom.ly/A4S8XfE

Specifying materials and finishes for healthcare projects has become increasingly complex. Join BIFMA and AAHID this Thu...
07/22/2025

Specifying materials and finishes for healthcare projects has become increasingly complex. Join BIFMA and AAHID this Thursday for a timely conversation on balancing durability, cleanability, and sustainability—while meeting the needs of patients, staff, and decision-makers alike.

Expert panelists Barbara Dellinger, Linda Gabel, Jane Rohde and Shari Solomon will share insights into how multi-attribute certifications, ecolabels, and performance characteristics can streamline product selection and enhance decision-making. Attendees will learn how to specify products that meet performance demands without compromising sustainability, ultimately leading to more effective and resilient healthcare environments. Registration is free! Learn more here: https://loom.ly/Ii8Pygc

Our Center Stage newsletter provides an opportunity for our healthcare design community to learn more about products, se...
07/22/2025

Our Center Stage newsletter provides an opportunity for our healthcare design community to learn more about products, services and solutions available to support new construction and renovation projects.

This month's Center Stage features Care City hospital lighting solutions by Acuity Inc.; Whitehall Manufacturing's ligature-resistant ALCOVE basins; gold Nightingale Award recipient OpenView virtual windows by Sky Factory; ModuForm, Inc's 530 series modular seating; and impact-resistant wall panels by Gerflor USA. View this month's Center Stage newsletter here: https://loom.ly/NAlXnR4

Health Environments Research & Design (HERD) is a peer-reviewed journal of research and methodology papers, theory artic...
07/21/2025

Health Environments Research & Design (HERD) is a peer-reviewed journal of research and methodology papers, theory articles, case studies, and book reviews focused on the effects of health design on patient, provider, and organizational outcomes. Help grow this body of knowledge by becoming a reviewer for future submissions. Learn more here: https://loom.ly/FFFQ_yY

Our behavioral and mental health workshop is back—newly reimagined as MindSpaces25 and now expanded to 1.5 days. This in...
07/21/2025

Our behavioral and mental health workshop is back—newly reimagined as MindSpaces25 and now expanded to 1.5 days. This in-person event brings together leaders for a learning experience focused on real-world strategies and collaboration.

Attendees will gain valuable insights, practical tools, and opportunities to connect with peers through interactive sessions and an evening social. Registration is now open, with early bird savings available. Learn more and register today. https://loom.ly/-r6P-kA

Thanks to our workshop sponsors: Accurate Lock & Hardware Co., Altro Americas, architecture+, Whitehall Manufacturing, CorTech, Kenall, Kingsway, Kennon Behavioral Healthcare, Light Glass, ModuForm, Inc, Norix Furniture, Patcraft, Pineapple Contracts, Sky Factory, Spec Furniture, Stance Healthcare, Vale Secure and Visa Lighting

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Research: We help facilitate research on how the design of the built environment affects outcomes. A major initiative is the Pebble Project, a unique and dynamic collaborative, where forward-thinking healthcare, design, and industry professionals learn, research, and share information with one another. Our website has more than 40 free research reports and whitepapers that link the built environment to outcomes and searchable databases of relevant research and project examples. Education: Our Evidence-based Design Accreditation & Certification (EDAC) program is an internationally recognized educational program that awards credentials to individuals who demonstrate a thorough understanding of how to apply an evidence-based process to plan and design healthcare facilities. With more than 1,200 certified individuals since its launch in 2009, EDAC is quickly becoming one of the healthcare design industry’s most important credentials. Each year, more than 4,000 individuals attend our annual Healthcare Design conference and 30,000 subscribe to Healthcare Design magazine (both produced by Vendome Group in association with CHD). Advocacy: We recognize and promote excellence in design and leadership through 5 award programs. By providing input into the Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, we are advocating for change in the building codes and standards. A partner in the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, we are an active participant in a coalition of major health systems and organizations committed to improving sustainability and safety across the healthcare sector. Hundreds of individuals and organizations are engaged to support our work and help transform the industry through our affiliate membership program.