Margulies Perruzzi was asked by the MITRE Corporation to design a new tank to be used for testing underwater sonar equipment. Creating a facility of this type and scale was a new challenge for both MP and MITRE, but through several rounds of problem solving, the teams created a large scale flexible maritime research facility.
Challenge 1: Evolving Program Requirements
The first challenge appeared early as the program continued to emerge over time. MITRE had never performed this type of equipment testing. As entities inside and outside MITRE learned about the plans for a new tank, they wanted to participate. While beneficial to the overall use and success of the tank, this process extended the formulation of a program. The programming process was very much a discovery of needs as well as an evolution of capabilities.
MP led a programming process that engaged all stakeholders as well as with entities outside of the client who would have important input on design guidelines for such a unique use. For example, MITRE initially conceived the project as an open-air function. Several outside entities expressed a desire to utilize the facility regardless of weather conditions.
Challenge 2: Site Constraints and Existing Infrastructure
A second challenge was the project’s physical location. On the proposed site of the new sonar tank, MITRE had an old ice storage tank the program directors wanted to reuse. At the beginning of the programming process, it was determined that a structure covering and enclosing the tank was a critical need, since the program operators determined that year-round use was desirable. The existing tank location was crowded with utility pathways and access points that constrict the available space for the new tank building. Because of the complexity of the site, MP carefully mapped all the existing utilities and supporting structures in order to avoid conflicts.
The solution was to construct a new prefabricated metal building over and around the existing tank. To support the new building and to avoid a network of existing impediments, micro piles were inserted on one side of the tank along with a conventional foundation on the other sides. Because MITRE wanted greater water depth, MP designed a new concrete ring on top of the existing tank. While it added depth, this ring also helped fortify the tank and allowed for the removal of the existing cross beams. Replacing the cross beams with a smaller number of new cross beams allowed enhanced access to the roughly 575,000 gallons of water in the tank.
The Facility’s Supporting Features and Functionality
Beyond providing a controlled environment for marine testing, the new building includes areas to house testing equipment, a laydown space for the equipment to be tested, and critical infrastructure supporting the testing activities. This includes a two-ton hoist that has access to every part of the tank surface and a sliding platform so that staff can reach anything being tested in the tank. Overhead doors are provided for moving equipment in and out of the building.
The building interior is humid and presents challenges to the building infrastructure. The HVAC system had to be designed around high levels of humidity. Structural elements also required a special coating to resist the effects of a humid indoor environment.
Do you ever notice a shift in your mood when you enter a room? According to Clarus’s 2025 presentation Color Theory & Mental Health, the colors present in a space can subconsciously influence our behavior and emotions. As an interior designer, I strive to find creative ways to incorporate colors, textures, lighting, and other elements to create ideal spaces and environments where people can engage and work efficiently.
Selecting the appropriate colors for a given space is critical as you want the feeling of the space to match the function.
When designing a space, whether an office renovation, medical office space, or a building lobby upgrade, it’s essential to strategize the concept and determine the purpose and feelings these spaces should serve. Some examples of how we utilize colors include:
Warm Colors / Earth Tones
Neutral colors can help create a sense of home, positively influencing serotonin levels, enhancing feelings of contentment, and fostering authentic interactions. Upgraded building amenity spaces can incorporate these colors to help users feel at ease, as if they are casually working from their own living room. The careful selection of colors can aid in relaxation and encourage more comfortable interactions among users.
Rendering for upcoming lobby project
Blue Colors
Blue has been shown to reduce anxiety by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure. Additionally, blue can aid in problem-solving and enhance alertness. This concept can be beneficial when designing workplace conference rooms, huddle spaces, and meeting areas.
Green can help lower blood pressure and heart rate while fostering greater engagement among individuals, leading to improved conversations. Not only does this make it an effective color in healthcare settings, but incorporating this color into pantry or gathering spaces can create an environment that enhances interaction among users. An inviting atmosphere also encourages participation in team bonding activities or simply enjoying a cup of coffee while catching up with coworkers.
Rendering for upcoming office space
Gray and Muted Colors
Gray and other muted colors have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety while enhancing overall well-being. Wellness rooms can benefit from incorporating these colors to promote relaxation and meditation. This can be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing a stressful day, allowing them to enter a calming space and feel at ease.
Color can influence not only moods and emotions but can also serve as a navigation tool throughout a building or indicate transitions between different areas.
A recent example is a completed healthcare project for renovated internal medicine offices and exam rooms. Our project team incorporated colors specifically to create an environment to help patients easily locate exam rooms and find their way back to reception. By using colors thoughtfully on the walls, ceilings, and floors, we enhanced accessibility for all types of patients, including those with sensitivities to harsh lights or colors, as well as individuals who are visually impaired or aging. The distinct colors throughout space allow patients to orient themselves from various perspectives, whether they are looking down at the floor or up at eye level.
Atrius Kenmore, photographed by Richard Hilgendorf
Another example of using color for wayfinding are the “blue portals” our project team implemented in a recently completed workplace renovation. These portals help direct users through various areas, guiding them from public areas to work zones and employee spaces.
Colors play an essential role in our daily lives, often influencing our emotions and behaviors without us even realizing it. As designers, one of our main objectives is to create spaces that not only make users feel comfortable but also enhance their ability to perform tasks efficiently.
In this episode of Ask The Architect, Senior Project Manager and Director of Operations Josh White dives into the topic of adaptive reuse, offering expert insights and practical advice on navigating this evolving and compelling area of the industry.
Join us for episode 10 of Ask The Architect where Healthcare Studio Leader Edward Marcey explains the many positive impacts community health centers have on both patients and hospitals.
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.
