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I. Introduction Project Description & Location Neighborhood
Description.
The project is to create a small Dermatology facility located in
Morningside Heights, New York. This study on human behavior at
medical offices is a guide to design the best environment for
employees and patients, benefiting their physical being and
health.
Dermatology is a branch of medicine dealing with skin1, treating
patients with medical and cosmetic concerns. Most common medical
treatments are relating to acnes, unusual moles, and dark spots on
the skin. Cosmetic treatments are mostly face lifting, liposuction
and Botox. There are many dermatology offices in New York City, and
each one specializing in different treatments. For example, some
dermatology clinics focus more in medical dermatology than
cosmetics, while others prefer to offer services in cosmetic
dermatology.
The neighborhood where the office is to be located, Morningside
Heights, extends from 109th Street
to 123rd Street in Manhattan. Its population is mainly single
people or young couples, averaging 28 years old and without
children. According to city-data.com, the average income for this
area is $60,000.00, with real state starting from $150,000.00.
Moreover, the character of Morningside Heights is very young and
cozy. Its design aspect is a combination of turn-of-the century
architecture with contemporary style for the newly rich young
couples. In addition, it provides its residents with abundant
leisure time, as evidenced in the many parks in Morningside
Heights, such as Morningside Park on the east, and Riverside Park
on the west.
According to my research findings, there isnt a dermatology
office located in Morningside Heights
at the moment; therefore, this new project will be designed to
accommodate the people in and near this neighborhood. Given its
proximity to West Harlem, the target patient is of varied
ethnicities, and about 25 years old. Services offered are primarily
of medical dermatology for all skin types and tones. Cosmetic
procedures are limited to liposuction. In addition, the facility
accepts insurance in order to accommodate people with different
income levels, although cosmetic treatments are accepted by
referral only.
The main issues surrounding this type of facility are
circulation and adjustability. This issues will be
addresses easing the circulation when migrating from one room to
another, and by allocating clear signage where needed. In
continuation, accessible furnishings allow users to adapt and
adjust to the environment as best suits them. These solutions
should be implemented without compromising the design.
Scope of Work Reception: the reception zone is to register, wait
for appointment, read magazines or access Internet, and look at
products and brochures. It is also an area to answer phone calls,
prepare and store files, write notes, hand amenities and answer
questions. Its purpose is to greet patients, confirm their
appointments, and guide them to the waiting area. Executive Doctors
Office: the doctors office is a place for consultation and
doctor-patient relations. Exam Room: is a place for consultation
and doctor-patient relations. Also, most medical and cosmetic
procedures will take place on treatment rooms. Surgery Suite: the
surgery suite is where liposuction surgery and Botox application
occur. After surgery, patient will be able to recover from local
anesthesia in this area as well. Preparation Room: for medical and
patients to prepare for surgery. Sitting Area: for patients to
recover from surgery. Staff Station: an area for staff to
congregate while waiting for patients.
1 http://www.nymag.com
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Admin Office: basic office administration duties such as
bookkeeping, marketing, supplies orders, are performed here.
Laboratory: for preparation and storage of samples and biopsies.
Pantry/Dining: an area for employees to eat, rest, have
conversation with coworkers, and take breaks. File/General Storage:
patients files are stored here, as well as general office use
supplies. II. Research and Analysis User Groups & Behavioral
Concerns: Identification & Description Primary User Groups:
13-18 years of age about 35% uses the facility 18-50 years of age
about 40% uses the facility 50-60 years of age about 25% uses the
facility Men about 40% uses the facility Women about 60% uses the
facility User income starts at $24,000.00
Primary Users Behavioral Concerns: Due to privacy concerns a
medical office should protect more than just a patients health and
well-being. Whereas in many dermatological offices patients are
require to wear a gown, patients might feel embarrassed being
exposed in this manner. Therefore, changing rooms and storage for
patients belongings should be provided in the facility. Acoustics
should also be a factor in designing the space. Doctor-patients
relationships are exclusive to them, and other people should not be
able to overhear conversations that occur inside the office.
Furthermore, in the waiting area, territoriality should be
applied. Territoriality is the need for ones physical space to be
delineated2. It is a fact that when communal seating is provided in
a public space, people tend to sit at the ends, away from
strangers, while the seats in between remains empty. People feel
uncomfortable seating next to strangers, especially in a medical
office. Providing individual seating, or separating seats with
armrests, will give patients a sense of territoriality, allowing
patients to feel more comfortable and secure.
Moreover, proxemics should also be taken into consideration when
designing the office. Proxemics
is the study of the nature of spatial distances maintained by
people in different circumstances3. Those distances are known as
intimate, personal, social and public. It is said that if a person
is within 18 or less close to another, that person is within the
intimate space. In a waiting area, we all tend to maintain our
intimate distance from strangers. Therefore, this area requires
special attention when deciding seating types and seating layouts,
allowing patients to stay within their comfortable zone.
Finally, universal design should exist in the medical office.
Universal design accommodates people
of all ages, heights, and physical abilities. It includes both
ergonomic and anthropometric sciences. The medical facility should
be designed to accommodate multiple different user groups at all
times. Therefore, special features will be employed to achieve this
goal.
2 Foundations of Interior Design, Susan J. Slotkis. Fairchild
Publications Inc, 1st Edition. 3 Foundations of Interior Design,
Susan J. Slotkis. Fairchild Publications Inc, 1st Edition.
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Secondary User Group
2 medical doctors 2 medical assistants 2 receptionists 1 Office
Administrator 2 assistants
There is a minimum of two doctors in the facility, each of whom
require separated offices. Each office requires adjustable
furniture and accessibility to house multiple user groups at once.
Storage, for example, should be allocated at seating height to
provide easy access to instruments and supplies. The reception
desk, as the administration office, will not be different from the
doctors office when it comes to ergonomics and anthropometrics.
Under-counter storage of easy access while seated and plenty of
legroom should be a must. Adjustable furnishings are also a
requirement to provide employees with comfort that benefit their
health and work productivity. Tertiary User Group Tertiary user
group is composed mainly of delivery people such as postmen,
purveyors and vendors, and janitors. Mail and supplies delivery
require a special entrance in addition to storage. Vendors will
require a separate meeting area and janitors require cleaning
closet. Mail at least once a day Supplies at least once a month Lab
pick-up at least once a Day Janitor at least one a day
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Design Concerns There are many design concerns for this project
that cannot be overlooked. Among them are accessibility,
sustainability, comfort, productivity and efficiency. Being able to
address them improves the quality of experience of all user groups,
whether during their visit or work hours. Designing a space that is
accessible, adjustable and adaptable can be achieved by
implementing desks and counters at different height levels to
accommodate different human behaviors. This idea concept creates an
environment that houses multiple user groups. To comply with
sustainability principles, the project utilizes mainly sustainable
materials that are durable and causes minimum impact on the
environment. In order to fulfill some of the LEED requirements,
about 75% of the area should have access to natural daylight and
outdoor view. Incorporating natural daylight and outdoor view into
the space is good for the health and well-being of users, and also
increase productivity. Moreover, privacy and proximity practices
are employed in designing the office. In the waiting area for
example, seating are laid out to keep people on their most
comfortable zone. The choice of seating also matters when working
with proximity for it can establish territoriality. In addition,
privacy is the main concern in overall design. It should somewhat
exist within the offices area, such as treatments room,
administration area, and so on. Last, public circulation that
directs the patient throughout the office; from reception to
waiting area, to treatment room, back to exit. This allows easy
circulation and efficiency throughout the workspace.
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