Today marks the final day of Zoe Botta’s Summer Design Internship with MP. A member of the Carnegie Mellon University Class of 2027, Zoe has been a dedicated, hardworking, and enthusiastic contributor to our team. As her internship comes to a close, we sat down with Zoe to reflect on her experience and the impact she has made during her time with us.
Zoe, how are you feeling as you near the end of your MP Design Internship?
I’m incredibly grateful for the staff, experiences, and knowledge that I’ve gained during my time at MP. I’m going to miss all of you and the work that I’ve been doing here. I’m especially thankful for all the patience, kindness, and mentorship that I have received throughout my internship.
What has been your favorite part of interning at MP?
I think the people are a real highlight. I feel so deeply spoiled when it comes to the number of people that have let me come on various site visits‑or, how I kindly refer to them as field trips. I’m very thankful for being able to see and learn as much as I can, and I think that’s really because the people have been so willing to bring me along and explain to me the process and importance of each aspect of architecture. I mean, I also love the snack, love the bagels on Tuesdays-I’m not going to lie to you. But overall, I think it’s really the community, the culture of this place, and the fact that I’m doing real work here. I’m doing things that help me learn all while contributing to something.
What is the most impactful or surprising thing you learned about architecture and design?
Going into this experience, I knew that architecture education and architecture practice were different, but I don’t think I realized how much of a difference there was. Of course, what I’m learning in school is helping me here, but those are more of the “how to think” skills, and this is more of the actual practice of architecture. I’m also a little bit surprised by the amount of communication between various teams, both internally and externally. It is a lot of facilitating conversation between the client, vendors, engineers, and sometimes even other architecture and design firms. I understood architects having to know about all the parts and pieces, but I don’t think I knew how they actually played out.
What is something you experienced at MP that you will take with you back to school?
MP redefined to me what looking at something big picture means. Going into this experience, big picture kind of meant zooming out with a less high-fidelity level of detail. But what I’ve learned from MP is that the big picture is defined by the small details. So, if you don’t have those small details, the big picture is not going be as successful. Similar to a puzzle, if the individual pieces are well crafted, the entire composition will be fantastic, but if even one piece is not created with care, you will be able to tell. I have seen a heightened level of care in every step while at this office and have directly seen that translation into creating meaningful spaces.
What is a piece of advice you would give to someone interested in interning at an architectural firm?
I went into this internship not having any finite things that I wanted to do or learn but rather was willing to work on anything and everything. This broad approach helped me the most because it meant that I didn’t limit myself or my experience based on what I thought I wanted. I was very aware that I had a lot to learn and didn’t want to pigeonhole myself into one area of architecture. I would advise them to just go into any experience or opportunity as a sponge. Taking the opportunities people throw at you is really one of the best ways to learn, because you learn what you like and what you don’t like.
In episode 9 of Ask The Architect, Caitlin Greenwood, Partner and Senior Project Manager, discusses how to make the most out of a sublease lab space.
As the global population ages, the healthcare industry faces increasing pressure to provide environments that are safe, accessible, and responsive to the needs of older adults. According to the United States Census Bureau, 2023 National Population Projections Tables: Main Series, in the United States, the number of people aged 65 and older is projected to reach over 80 million by 2050. In response, architects and healthcare planners must focus on designing community health centers and ambulatory care spaces that address the physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of this demographic.
Translating Cognitive-Friendly Wayfinding Research into Practice
Wayfinding—the ability to navigate spaces independently—is a crucial component of a successful healthcare environment for older adults. Cognitive decline, vision impairments, and memory loss can make it difficult for geriatric patients to understand spatial orientation and signage.
Architectural strategies should begin with clear, intuitive layouts that minimize decision points. Repetitive planning configurations, such as mirrored floorplans or inconsistent corridor branching, should be avoided. Instead, incorporate axial circulation with direct sightlines to key destinations such as reception, restrooms, and exits.
Graphic standards play a key role in reinforcing these layouts. Large, high-contrast fonts with iconography that is universally understood should be used. Colors should differentiate spaces but avoid overstimulation—soft, matte finishes in warm hues have been found to reduce visual confusion. Floor patterning should be simple and non-directional to prevent misinterpretation of changes in elevation.
By adopting evidence-based standards into templates and best-practice guidelines, designers can deliver repeatable, scalable environments that support autonomy for older adults.
Materials and Assemblies to Reduce Falls
Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, often resulting in hospitalization and long-term loss of independence. Architects can mitigate this risk through careful selection of flooring materials, lighting, and spatial transitions.
Slip-resistant flooring with a coefficient of friction (COF) above 0.6 for wet conditions should be standard in public areas, restrooms, and exam spaces. Cushioned vinyl and rubber flooring systems offer a balance of traction and shock absorption, reducing the severity of injury in the event of a fall. Thresholds should be flush to the floor or beveled with no abrupt level changes.
Lighting should be even, glare-free, and adjustable to accommodate the reduced visual acuity associated with aging. Integrated lighting in millwork and under toe-kicks helps define boundaries and reduces shadows that can cause missteps.
Handrails, grab bars, and seating ledges should be incorporated seamlessly into design, especially along long corridors or waiting areas, supporting both mobility and dignity. These measures can be standardized across community health centers and ambulatory projects to ensure consistency in risk reduction.
Universal Design and Aging-in-Place Strategies
Universal design goes beyond accessibility codes to create environments usable by all people, regardless of age or ability. For aging populations, this means designing healthcare environments that can adapt to changing physical and cognitive needs without requiring major renovation.
Key tactics include:
Lever-style door handles and touch-free sensor fixtures for arthritic hands.
Adjustable exam tables and seating at varying heights to accommodate mobility aids.
Wide doorways and hallways that comfortably allow for walkers, wheelchairs, and caregivers.
Restroom layouts that support transfer from mobility devices with unobstructed turning radius.
In community health and ambulatory settings, these strategies mirror those used in aging-in-place residential design, promoting familiarity and comfort. When seniors perceive clinical spaces as extensions of their home environments, compliance and satisfaction rise significantly.
Designing Telehealth-Ready Environments
Telehealth has emerged as a vital tool in extending access to care, particularly for older adults who face transportation or mobility challenges. However, the built environment must support this model to ensure its effectiveness.
Private telehealth booths or consult rooms should be acoustically isolated with sound-absorbing surfaces to reduce background noise and protect patient confidentiality. Ergonomic furniture, proper screen positioning, and glare control from ambient light are essential for a seamless user experience.
Infrastructure must support secure, high-speed internet connections and HIPAA-compliant data systems. Visual backgrounds in telehealth rooms should be calming and free of distractions—light-colored walls, modest artwork, and minimal equipment exposure all contribute to professional, comfortable settings.
By designing with telehealth in mind, community health and ambulatory centers can better serve aging patients while alleviating transportation burdens and increasing visit adherence.
Integrated Service Layouts to Improve Experience and Efficiency
One of the most effective ways to support geriatric patients is to reduce the number of steps and transitions required to access care. Integrated service layouts in community health centers consolidate multiple services—such as check-in, labs, diagnostics, and pharmacy—into a unified footprint.
This approach reduces patient travel distances, shortens waiting times, and eliminates the confusion of navigating large or multi-building facilities. For example, collocating behavioral health consults near primary care pods ensures seamless transitions for patients who may struggle with scheduling and follow-up adherence.
Design solutions include:
Centralized reception and patient access points.
Shared teamwork areas to encourage collaboration.
Flexible-use rooms that support different specialties on rotating schedules.
Onstage/offstage circulation to minimize stress and maintain patient privacy.
These efficiencies not only improve satisfaction metrics but also support care coordination and operational sustainability.
Designing community health and ambulatory care spaces for an aging population requires a proactive, evidence-based approach rooted in empathy and practicality. By prioritizing cognitive-friendly wayfinding, fall-resistant materials, universal design principles, telehealth infrastructure, and integrated-service layouts, architects can create spaces that elevate the quality of care for older adults. As demographic shifts continue to transform healthcare demand, thoughtful design will remain a cornerstone of safe, equitable, and dignified care environments.
In episode 8 of Ask The Architect, Nathan Turner, Principal and Partner, discusses how to approach the upcoming changes to the 10th Edition MA State Building Code.
Join us for this episode of Ask The Architect with Principal and Partner, Dan Perruzzi, where he answers common questions of how landlords can better fit the tenants of today.
As hospitals face increasing patient volumes and complex care demands, community health centers have emerged as crucial partners in supporting hospital systems. According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, community health centers serve a record 32.5 million people nationwide, or 1 in 10 Americans. By integrating key clinical services, community health centers alleviate pressure on urban hospitals, enhance continuity of care, and improve health outcomes—particularly among underserved populations.
Preferred Clinical Spaces in Community Health Centers
Community health centers are evolving beyond basic outpatient services to include a range of clinical spaces that directly support hospital systems. Common services provided at community health centers include primary care, imaging services, urgent care, orthopedic services, rehabilitation and physical therapy, pharmacy services, and specialty clinics. By making these services local and accessible, these centers facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment, enhance patient recovery pathways, and improve treatment compliance, particularly for chronic conditions that require ongoing management. Additionally, these centers help alleviate the workload of hospitals, allowing them to focus on critical cases.
Working with a Healthcare Planner and Architect for Project Success
When planning a community health center, early collaboration with a healthcare planner and/or architect is essential for project success. These professionals bring critical expertise to align design with healthcare delivery goals, patient experience, regulatory compliance, and long-term flexibility. In the early stages of planning and design, a healthcare planner and architect consider not just the building, but also its relationship to the community it serves. This includes evaluating the site for accessibility, visibility, transportation connections, and integration with other local services.
The healthcare design team will utilize client data, such as current patient needs and anticipated growth projections, to help develop a program. This program begins to establish special requirements, adjacencies, and circulation throughout the community health center.
A key decision is whether to repurpose an existing building or pursue new construction. Repurposing a building can offer cost savings and quicker occupancy, especially in urban or underserved areas with limited land availability. However, existing structures may present limitations in layout, structural systems, or compliance with healthcare codes—potentially increasing renovation costs and creating operational inefficiencies.
New construction allows for a fully customized design tailored to programmatic needs, future growth, and energy efficiency. It provides the opportunity to establish the health center as a community anchor—complete with amenity spaces for patients, staff, and caregivers. This could include well-being rooms, educational spaces, and staff support areas that may be difficult to retrofit into existing buildings.
Ultimately, a healthcare planner and architect help navigate these choices, balancing cost, schedule, patient outcomes, and community impact. Their early involvement ensures that the health center not only meets functional and regulatory standards, but also fosters an inclusive, healing environment.
Whether repurposed or newly built, a well-planned community health center becomes more than a medical facility—it becomes an accessible resource that strengthens community health and resilience. Community health centers help hospitals operate more efficiently while ensuring that patients receive timely, high-quality care where they live.
The US life science commercial real estate market currently has an excess of lab and office space. According to JLL’s report, 2024 Life Sciences Real Estate Perspective and Cluster Analysis, an estimated 50 million square feet of laboratory space sits vacant across the US. As companies seek to reduce operating costs, many are downsizing their real estate footprint. Consequently, startups and established companies alike are now leasing space from one another. It is essential that those looking to sublease space do their due diligence to ensure selection of adequate space to meet their needs.
Clarify the terms of your sublease
It is crucial for both parties involved to clearly define and understand the terms of any sublease. The lease should specify what changes can and cannot be made within the space and how the space must be returned. Many professionals can assist with reviewing the lease, including a commercial real estate broker, owner’s project manager, and/or legal counsel. They can help you understand what is and is not included and guide you through the negotiation process if you choose to proceed. Additionally, this is a good time to engage a lab planner for pre-programming to confirm that the space requirements will fit within the available footprint.
Define your program needs
The pre-programming phase provides a high-level review of space needs to help define program requirements and identify any potential obstacles before signing a lease. But once the lease is signed, a more detailed programming and planning phase is essential to refine the program requirements.
A thorough programming process helps busy lab managers and their operations team establish critical program elements, including, but not limited to, laboratory, office, amenity, and support space, as well as furniture, equipment, and utility requirements. This process is an important step in creating a functional environment that supports both scientific work and the needs of the staff.
Evaluate existing infrastructure
Once the program is defined, understanding how the space was constructed and how it can or cannot support your program will impact the extent of renovations required to meet the company’s needs. It is important to allocate funds wisely, prioritizing expenditures that are critical for science or workstreams. For example, using existing manifolds and pre-plumbed lab gas lines can be a great option, but if they do not exist or have not been adequately maintained, then use of local gas cylinders may be a better solution. Understanding what is available and included is important to make these decisions.
Identify modular or point-of-use options
Incorporating modular elements into a subleased space can be beneficial. If renovations are needed, modular systems like demountable walls and flexible furniture solutions—such as mobile casework, storage systems, and carts—can be utilized. This approach allows the subletter to easily return it to its original condition and take these items with them when they move to a new location.
There are also countless point-of-use options for many elements used or required in a laboratory, including alarms, vacuum pumps, ductless fume hoods, etc. A freestanding eyewash station or other safety elements could even be an effective solution, based on the use case and local code. Collaborating with an architect, lab planner, safety consultant, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer can help identify these cost-saving measures.
Ensure your space reflects your company culture
Creating a unique space that captures a company’s culture does not have to be expensive or permanent. Paint colors, signage, artwork, and personalized décor can go a long way in capturing the spirit of your company. Consider how employees like to engage in selecting unique additions to the space, such as a game table or special coffee machine. These items can be incorporated into your next space to help maintain company identity moving forward.
As subleasing lab spaces becomes more common, it is essential for companies to understand what is and is not allowed in these spaces, as well as how to customize them affordably. The available space may be fully fit-out and furnished, or it could be an empty shell. While some companies, for example, many start-ups transitioning from an incubator, may find a furnished, turn-key solution sufficient for their scientific and workplace needs, other companies may prefer an empty space that they can design to better support their workflows and needs. By following a straightforward roadmap and conducting a thorough due diligence, companies can thrive in their temporary spaces until they are ready to move on.
Designing behavioral health facilities requires a thoughtful, people-forward approach that centers on the needs and experiences of patients, staff, and visitors. These spaces must balance safety, functionality, accessibility, and empathy to foster dignity and inclusivity while supporting healing and recovery.
By actively engaging stakeholders—patients, families, providers, and advocacy groups—in planning and design discussions, project teams can tailor environments to reflect diverse needs, demographics, and treatment goals.
Designing for diverse patient needs
A wide range of demographics may receive care and treatment in a behavioral health facility, so working with stakeholders to understand not only the demographic but also the treatment needs will influence planning and design.
For example, children and adolescents’ spaces should be engaging, safe, and adaptable to developmental needs, including interactive elements, child-sized furniture with soft, rounded edges, and dedicated spaces for play therapy, creative expression, and sensory regulation (e.g., quiet rooms and sensory walls).
For elderly patients, design strategies may include non-slip flooring and handrails for fall prevention, high-contrast color schemes for wayfinding and cognitive ease, and comfortable seating with proper ergonomic support.
Neurodiverse individuals, including patients with autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, and sensory disorders, can be supported through environments that adapt to different sensory needs. These design strategies can include controls for dimmable lighting, sound-absorbing materials to address acoustics, and spaces with different sensory zones, including both quiet areas and interactive spaces.
Understanding care duration is also essential for effective behavioral health facility design. The length of patient stays in behavioral health facilities can vary, with inpatient hospitalization typically lasting 3-12 days, residential care extending to 30-60 days, and partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient care spanning 4-8 weeks. These varying durations underscore the importance of flexible design to accommodate diverse care pathways and treatment goals.
Designing for patient, staff safety
Safety is a cornerstone of behavioral health design, with approaches that focus on minimizing risks of self-harm or injury while maintaining dignity and respect. For example, clear sightlines between staff and patient spaces allow for unobtrusive patient observation.
Controlled access points and strategically placed monitoring stations at public access in combination with smaller physical stations dispersed within units at access points, transitional areas, and/or group activity spaces ensure security without creating an overly restrictive environment. Spaces designed for emergencies, such as de-escalation rooms and crisis intervention areas, enable staff to respond effectively to urgent situations.
The layout of spaces as well as the selection of finishes and materials, such as wall protection or patterned flooring, can also assist patients, staff, and visitors in navigating the facility and feeling more comfortable. For example, zoned areas such as patient rooms, clinical one-on-one rooms, and group activity rooms offer different levels of socialization; clear wayfinding can help reduce patient anxiety by minimizing confusion; and natural light and outdoor access can reduce the feeling of confinement.
Thoughtful layout planning can also minimize congestion and allows seamless transitions between rooms, therapy spaces, and communal areas. For example, wide, unobstructed corridors and strategically placed entry points streamline movement while reducing stress for patients and staff.
The proximity of key treatment spaces enhances accessibility and minimizes unnecessary travel, improving patient experiences. Additionally, staff stations near patient activity spaces, group areas, and patient rooms support efficient monitoring and coordination of care, enabling quick responses to patient needs.
To further promote healing and recovery, multifunctional spaces for patient and staff needs are also necessary. For example, single and double patient rooms provide flexibility, allowing individualized care and the ability to accommodate different treatment needs. Private rooms offer solitude for patients requiring a quieter environment, while shared rooms foster social interaction and peer support.
A variety of therapy spaces can also create a well-rounded therapeutic environment, including dedicated spaces for one-on-one counseling to support personalized therapy and group therapy spaces to encourage communal healing.
Beyond patient rooms and therapy areas, secure access to communal spaces, dining areas, and outdoor environments is essential. Controlled access into a unit, between patient rooms and group spaces, and between staff areas and patient spaces ensures security while allowing supervised movement.
Outdoor spaces such as gardens, courtyards, and walking paths contribute positively to mental health, offering therapeutic activities, exercise, and relaxation. Additionally, dedicated spaces for exercise, socialization, and daily routines such as laundry or haircuts help maintain normalcy and independence.
Interior design ideas for behavioral health
The selection of furniture and fixtures also plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and comfort. Modern, well-designed furniture should be durable, cleanable, and capable of withstanding frequent use while maintaining a warm, welcoming aesthetic.
Wood-like finishes and built-in seating solutions provide a residential feel, reducing the institutional atmosphere. Fixtures should prioritize safety with tamper-resistant hardware and rounded edges to minimize injury risks.
Thoughtful color selection in patient rooms, therapy areas, and communal spaces enhances the therapeutic atmosphere. For example, cool colors such as blues and greens promote calmness, while uplifting hues like soft yellows and earth tones create warmth and optimism.
Color and wayfinding strategies, such as sculptural organic shapes of acoustic material in group areas, outdoor or abstract mural images in wall protection for smaller and quiet spaces, and dimmable can help distinguish between noisy activity spaces and quiet areas, helping to prevent overstimulation and accommodate diverse patient needs.
Shapes also influence perceptions of safety and comfort. Squares and right angles convey stability and structure, while rounded corners and organic forms add visual interest and softness. Staff spaces within behavioral units may be designed using straight lines and rounded corners; for patient rooms, project teams can incorporate softened edges into furniture and design details to help reduce the risk of injury. In group rooms, circular tables or curved modular seating can help create a more relaxed gathering space.
Additionally, organic shapes can be incorporated into murals or wall sculptures in therapy and sensory rooms to provide a calming effect.
Introducing curved patterns on floors softens the long corridors and reduces the sterile, institutional feel. Tactile elements like smooth stones, soft fabrics, or textured wall panels can also add depth and grounding, creating an inviting space that contributes to overall well-being.
Ensuring staff respite in healthcare
Equally important is providing designated spaces for staff to take a break, host a meeting, and decompress. Behavioral health facilities can be high-stress environments, making private recharge areas essential for caretakers and employees.
These spaces should be easily accessible, whether directly adjacent to the unit or elsewhere in the facility, and securely separated from patient and visitor areas to maintain privacy and safety.
To prioritize staff well-being, these recharge areas should be quiet and low in stimulation, with access to natural light and plants to promote relaxation. Facilities can also include amenities—such as a meditation room, fitness area, and nap pods—to improve staff recovery.
Employee areas should be clearly identified and secure, so staff feel safe and able to decompress.
People-forward design creates an atmosphere where individuals feel valued, protected, and empowered on their journey to recovery. By blending compassionate design with practical functionality, behavioral health facilities can achieve meaningful, lasting impacts, ensuring that every space is a catalyst for healing and positive transformation.
The team at Margulies Perruzzi has been compiling information and data from our clients, and we would like to share some metrics that are trending as we consider the workplace in 2025 and beyond.
It is finally here — the 10th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code (780CMR). The highly anticipated code change has been formally approved and is now in effect as of October 11, 2024.
The 10th edition is based on the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with state specific amendments. Since the 9th edition was based on the 2018 IBC, this current update will effectively capture two versions of IBC changes. To help with the alignment of current design practices and new codes, there will be a concurrency period allowing either version to be used for a limited time. Projects will be able to use either the 9th or 10th editions of 780CMR until January 1, 2025. After January 1, 2025, all projects will need to submit based on the 10th edition codes only.
Code updates often prompt questions about changes in design approach, testing methodology, and compliance paths, especially if they incur additional costs to a project. While new construction code requirements are straight forward, an existing building requires an understanding of potential challenges to help with evolving market demands and project feasibility aspects.
Existing buildings are often constructed with an initial use group in mind. Since usage may change over time, it is important to understand what a structure was originally designed for as much as it is helpful to know what it is being currently used for. Changes in use often trigger a review of multiple aspects of building infrastructure, ranging from health and safety to energy efficiency.
A use change could therefore impact egress calculations, fire ratings, and plumbing fixture requirements, just to name a few. The latest version of the building code includes expanded guidance, including expanding lists on institutional uses. It should be noted that some of these require additional structural review or upgrades such as addressing seismic reinforcing for compliance.
In some cases, a change in use may require an addition or certain amount of alteration to a facility. It is important to define the percentage of the work area early to confirm the level of building alteration. Depending on project scope, compliance with new construction requirements or testing of existing elements may be necessary. As a continuation of a due-diligence effort, an egress and occupancy load calculation should be reviewed since there were some changes to the 2018 IBC that are now being formally implemented.
Important Change in Occupancy Rules
The 10th edition has a notable change in occupancy area calculations with business use changing from 100 SF to 150 SF per person. This simple change would alter a maximum allowable load in a 10,500 SF space from 105 down to 70. This may still be permissible with other factors and design considerations such as appropriate egress pathway sizing that includes appropriately sized doors and stairs, but it should still be noted.
As sustainable construction grows, the focus on carbon footprint for both existing and new buildings continues to evolve. To help with this, there is a significant expansion of construction type IV, which had historically been thought of as heavy timber construction but has expanded to include definitions and methodologies of Mass Timber construction and includes information for sub-types A, B, and C. This is important since any additions to existing structures may now have additional compliance path options.
Additional elements for consideration are the insulation and vapor barrier aspects of wall and roof assemblies. While some of these have already been captured in the energy stretch codes, the 10th edition base code now raises the minimal amounts required for certain conditions. Accommodating for the additional dimension inboard or outboard should be understood.
All the code changes put Massachusetts in a better place to address the current needs of our built surroundings, balancing the needs of life safety, public health, and sustainability. However, it will still be up to project teams to ensure that the triggers and dimensional changes created by these changes are understood early on in a project as we adapt to the new codes.
