Notes from the jury chair: for a new generation.

Entries for the 2005 Order of Excellence Design Awards, presented this year's jury a true challenge. To select the one outstanding entry that exemplifies "Excellence" in each category was quite difficult and stirred great discussion and "polite" debate among the panel.

Awards were determined for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Specialty Care, which received two separate recognitions: one facility for developmentally disabled and one for Alzheimer's care.

The jury reviewed each entry with regard to public and private spaces and design in both the exterior and interior environments. Submittals were judged with regard to the following criteria (alphabetically listed and not by priority):

Flexibility--Does the design allow for flexibility in change of utilization of the space;

Independence--How are residents empowered and allowed choice, while encouraged to participate in activities outside their private quarters;

* Maintenance--Ease of upkeep through selection of durable materials, finishes, and furnishings;

* Nature--Does the design incorporate nature, light, gardens, and exterior spaces for both active and passive activities;

* Safety--Was resident safety considered adequately in selection of finishes and furnishings, as well as facility plan layout;

* Security--Did the final design incorporate measures through design or technology to insure the personal security of the residents;

* Staff Areas--Excellent planning requires optimum operational efficiency for the staff and necessitates ease of access and circulation of services and systems;

* Technology--New technologies must be considered not only for the operational aspects of an exemplary facility design, but for the personal and private spaces for the residents;

* Variety--Choice is essential in a quality design to allow for maximum variety and personalization;

* Wayfinding--Circulation and finding one's way to a destination should be inherent in the design, and not reliant on arrows and signage, especially in a residence environment.

An additional category was included to allow assessment of each entry from the perspective and professional background of each juror--functional space planning and programming, architectural design of exterior and interior environments, and interior design of planning, finishes and furnishings.

This 2005 jury presents a challenge for 2006 submittals from the owners, designers, architects, and builders. The challenge is to focus on creating the optimum, the best, and the extraordinary private resident spaces. Too often we see the primary design focus on the public and shared spaces, and little attention given to the personal environments. As these are the areas that are truly the most important ... as these are the areas called "home."

The winning designs will be presented in this and upcoming issues of CLTC magazine, and will be reviewed at the 2005 National Symposium on Healthcare Design in Atlanta, September 26-28.

THE PANEL OF JUDGES 

GEORGE PRESSLER, founder and president of Topanga, Calif.-based Planning Decision Resources Inc. (PDR), provides strategic, functional space programming and planning for the healthcare community. Emphasis is placed on operationally efficient considerations that may benefit staff, the patient, and the patient's family. Pressler's objective is to plan facilities incorporating new technologies as well as improved patient care delivery models.

ARMANDO L. GONZALEZ, is the principal-in-charge at Pasadena, Calif.-based Gonzalez/Goodale Architects. As a founding principal of the firm, he is responsible for its operation, including overall direction for performance, contract negotiations and coordination of all projects. He has been honored with several awards, including a Public Use Award in 1993 from the Los Angeles Business Council. He has also been an active member of the architectural community, including a post as secretary of the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems Board of Trustees.

DR. SHARRAN PARKINSON is professor and chair of the Department of Interior Design at Virginia Commonwealth University. Among her various academic and professional achievements, she serves on the evaluation committee of the Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research (FIDER), and as a visiting accreditation team chair. She is a professional member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and a member of the Interior Design Education Council (IDEC). She also serves as a health care design consultant for Kay Trimmer and Associates, St. Petersburg, Fla.

George Pressler, president of Planning Decision Resources, Inc., in Topanga, Calif., was the 2005 jury chair.