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You helped design Memorial Sloan Kettering's Josie
Robertson Surgery Center in New York City, a state-of-the-
art facility that reimagined how spaces appear and function.
What did you take away from the project?
It's important to take chances and embrace the opportunity to
create new ideas in surgical design. It's also essential to
think about what staff and patients need, and design
around those essential elements. Our new surgery cen-
ter is a learning lab from which we take concepts that
work and apply them throughout the Memorial Sloan
Kettering health system.
The facility's patient waiting area has the look and feel
of a modern, comfortable living room. Why was that
important?
We set out to create an ambience that sets the tone for
patient-centered care. Patients should feel calm and safe
when they arrive, and a warm and inviting physical environ-
ment plays a big part in embracing them. Overall, the colors,
textures, furniture and accessories in healthcare facilities need
to be designed for safety, cleanability and durability, but
shouldn't feel cold and clinical.
What are key aspects of modern surgical facility design?
Leveraging limited square footage into multipurpose, func-
tional areas is essential. For example, small staff lounges
positioned throughout our facility can be used as impromptu
Q & A
A Manhattan Masterpiece of Modern Design
Suzen Heeley, IIDA, LEED, AP
Healthcare interior designer and creator of surgery's neat new look.