Planetree has inducted HMC Architects as a founding member of their Visionary Design Network; an honor bestowed to only five firms in the nation. The certification announcement took place in October at their annual conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Planetree promotes patient-centered care environments and formally recognized HMC Architects for their design excellence in healing environments, evidence-based design practice, and promotion of sustainability in healthcare environments.

“This certification recognizes our design culture, commitment, and thought leadership in regard to healing environments, patient-centered care, evidenced-based design, and sustainability,” offers Jerry Eich, AIA, ACHA, healthcare practice leader and principal for HMC Architects.

The certification process started more than eight months ago. HMC Architects originally submitted an application package to Planetree, and was later selected to move forward following a Planetree review of an internal self-assessment. The certification process culminated in July with a two-day site visit to HMC and to a client, Loma Linda University Medical Center.

During the interview, Planetree representatives remarked that, “no matter who we interacted with at HMC Architects, everyone gave us the impression that they were part of a greater practice and were committed to good design. We don’t see that with all the firms we interact with.”

HMC Architects is delighted with Planetree’s final decision and thrilled to receive this certification; it validates their dedication to the evidence-based healthcare design considerations they have consistently prioritized over the years, such as effective wayfinding, access to nature for patients and staff, patient safety, staff involvement and satisfaction, and patient privacy. These are concepts that consider the patient experience and improve the overall efficiency and healing potential of a medical facility.