In Dallas, the $800 million Clements University Hospital opened to patients in December. Later this summer, the $1.3 billion dollar Parkland Memorial Hospital will open. Dallas Morning News architecture critic says despite their high-tech gadgets, both hospitals are lacking the human touch.
On Why Hospital Design Matters:
鈥淚 think the hospital is a place most all of us end up at some point in our lives. It鈥檚 when we are at our absolutely most vulnerable, and those spaces need to be as generous and as accommodating as they can be. Too often they鈥檙e not. Sometimes it鈥檚 for financial reasons, and sometimes carelessness, or sometimes it鈥檚 just because of convention.鈥�
On The Design Strengths:
鈥淭hey鈥檙e both trying the best they can to introduce light and the natural environment into their, especially they鈥檙e public spaces. And every room in both hospitals is a private room. That鈥檚 pretty spectacular.鈥�
On The Art Selection:
鈥淐lements has spent a great deal of money and time and effort in choosing an art program, largely abstract works they hope will sooth patients there and also visitors. I think that runs in contrast with Parkland. I think one of the problems I had with parkland is in an effort to be a good citizen they鈥檝e engaged these citizen work groups to help choose colors an interior designs. And anytime you do that you鈥檙e in danger of group think and choice by committee. And I think you鈥檙e almost always better by letting professionals make those decision. So where you could have bold decisions you end up with the usual beiges.鈥�
Check out in the Dallas Morning News.
