The document discusses research in professional design practice. It provides information from a 2012 survey of design firms that conduct in-house research. Key findings include: - Most firms have 1-4 people dedicated to research work. Research focuses on areas like sustainability, health and user satisfaction. - Research staff have backgrounds in fields like architecture, planning and public health. They are involved in strategic planning, coordinating post-occupancy evaluations and informing design teams about evidence-based design. - Research findings are sometimes published and shared with clients to discuss design decisions and project leadership. Internal collaborators include architects and project managers, while external collaborators may include academics and consultants.

1. ART + SCIENCE
RESEARCHERS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
HEALTHCARE DESIGN 2012

2. INTRODUCTION
• IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH IN
PRACTICE
• FIRM CULTURE AND STRUCTURE
• RESEARCH TEAMS
• SURVEY RESULTS

3. IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH IN PRACTICE

4. FIRM CULTURE AND STRUCTURE
FIRM STRUCTURE FIRM CULTURE
Financial
Firm size
status
Inclusiveness
Long-term Governing
goals organization
Short-term Ethnic
goals composition
Communication
Location Typology
Services
Staff
offered
Research
Objectivity
Firm age
commitment
Shepley, Heath Facility Evaluation for Design Practitioners

5. FIRM STRUCTURE
Examples
Large firms with
New firms that
sufficient discretionary
emphasize innovation
budgets may be more
may be more likely to
likely to engage in
engage in research.
research.

6. FIRM CULTURE
Degree to which firm encourages
participation of differing subject Inclusiveness
types.
How publicly the firm wishes to
Communication
disseminate the information.
Allowing individuals outside the
design process to participate and Objectivity
focus POE on original objectives.
Shepley, Heath Facility Evaluation for Design Practitioners

7. FIRM CULTURE
How would you rate your firm?
Not at all Very much so
Inclusiveness
Communication
Objectivity
Shepley, Heath Facility Evaluation for Design Practitioners

8. RESEARCH TEAM
• Team will decide issues, develop methods, and execute study
• Previously handled by academics
• Future firms will have in-house researchers
• Ideal team:
designers clients academics

9. RESEARCH TEAM
Designers Owners Academics
Objectives Parameters Measures
DESIGN RESEARCH
Shepley, Heath Facility Evaluation for Design Practitioners

10. RESEARCH TEAM
Designers Owners Academics
•Provide records of •Set budget •Understand
objectives via parameters. methods and
analysis of results.
program and •Provide
minutes. access, encourage •May involve
•Document goals to participation, facilit statisticians and
set focus and ate IRB. specialists.
structure for the •Staff implement •More aware of
evaluation. findings. publishing venues.
Shepley, Heath Facility Evaluation for Design Practitioners

11. RESEARCH TEAM
PRACTICAL POINTERS:
1. Number and type of consultants
depends on research objectives.
e.g., research on a hospital
garden, would include
landscape and architecture
firms.
2. Facility representative should
facilitate access and encourage
participation. Might be CEO, or
director of nursing.
Djc.com; Legacy Good Samaritan

12. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Contracted Research
Consultants
Partnerships with Academics
Partnerships with Vendors
Academic Advisory Councils
In-House Research

13. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Consultants hired for sole Contracted Research
purpose of providing a particular
service: Consultants
• gathering data,
• RING papers,
• CEU presentations. Partnerships with Academics
Partnerships with Vendors
Academic Advisory Councils
In-House Research

14. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Example:
1. Design firm interested in determining
whether a conflict existed between
evidence-based design (EBD) and EBD
design features that promote eco-
effective design (EED).
2. Obtained a grant and contacted an
academic who would serve as a EED
consultant regarding the research
methods.

15. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS

16. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Results : While there are occasional conflicts between sustainable
measures and EBD measures in general the two approaches were
compatible.
Impact of EBD issues on sustainability in EBD facilities
Supportive No impact Problematic
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
patient centered supportivesupportive to nature
family staff access art, entertn, social interaction
music privacy choice control
infection reduction & lighting
acoustics

17. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Contracted Research
Consultants
• Collaboration would
support research on a Partnerships with Academics
particular project.
• Firm staff and academic
researchers might develop Partnerships with Vendors
and disseminate a project
together.
• Student would play a role Academic Advisory Councils
in analyzing and
summarizing the data.
In-House Research

18. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Example:
1. Firm was interested in
conducting a pre- and post-
occupancy evaluation of a
free clinic.
2. PIC contacted an academic
and asked if this study
could be conducted while
working with students.
3. Client interested in playing
a significant role in the
research project.
Plans courtesy of Perkins+Will

19. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Method: Staff Position
• Pre- and post-survey
distributed to staff, patients other, 3
and families. 2% Medical
; 48%
• Survey questions linked to Admin;
original design objectives. 20%
• Staff distributed survey in
old facility, and again
several months later after Family Client Role
5%
relocation.
Patients
95%

20. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Results: Patient and Family Response to
Size vs. Supporting Needs
• New facility more highly 5.00
rated than old facility 4.52 4.45 4.38
4.51
4.50
regarding objectives.
4.00 3.87
• A few objectives were not
effective, e.g., comfort. 3.50
• Newness of the furnishings 3.00
may have made some 2.50
patients concerned about 2.00
damage.
1.50
1.00

21. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Contracted Research
Consultants
Partnerships with Academics
Occasionally a manufacturer
will request input from a Partnerships with Vendors
firm, or collaborate with an
academic institution to
explore the effectiveness of a Academic Advisory Councils
specific product.
In-House Research

22. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Example:
1. Neonatologist and
manufacturer of medical
equipment interested in
developing a new design for an
incubator.
2. Neonatologist contacted
academic to conduct a
literature review and generate
design options.
3. Academic recruited faculty
member in industrial
engineering.
4. Faculty members involved their
students in process.

23. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Method:
• Began with analysis of
literature on design of NICUs
and incubators.
• Architects focused on needs
of infants and families;
engineers focused on staff
ergonomics.
• Researchers made behavioral
observations.
• Architecture and engineering Task analysis
students generated and • Where do breakdowns occur?
shared proposals.
• What are common task steps?
• Where are divergent strategies?

24. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Results:
Team generated recommendations:
• broader interface between the infant
and the family
• more effective ergonometric design
for the staff.

25. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Contracted Research
Consultants
Partnerships with Academics
Partnerships with Vendors
Practitioners may participate
as members of an advisory Academic Advisory Councils
group in support of an
academic research
organization. In-House Research

26. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Example: Composition of CHSD Faculty
1. Some universities have formal Fellows
ARCH
affiliations with industry.
LAUP
2. Members of council
3% Nursing
contribute to organization that 3% 8%
3% COSC
includes faculty fellows and 3%
students. 3% 38% Health Science
2%
ED PSYCH
3. Member activities:
8%
• annual meeting ENGING
• presentations in classes 8% Heth/Kin
• studio crits, 19% SRPH
2%
• access to faculty re:
PLAN
research questions.
AGRI
Off Campus

27. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Method:
• Industry firm interested in
studies on behavioral
health/emergency
departments.
• Researchers conducted
literature search comparing
health environments to
patient and operational
outcomes.
• Consulted approximately 20
databases, and considered
more than 500 articles for
inclusion.

28. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Contracted Research
Consultants
Partnerships with Academics
Partnerships with Vendors
Academic Advisory Councils
Research conducted within a
firm, perhaps in collaboration In-House Research
with a client.

29. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Example:
1. Design firm completed an ICU.
Primary design objectives
were:
increase access to light
increase views to nature.
2. In-house research
staff, professional staff and
client examined outcomes of
the new facility relative to its
predecessor.
Plan courtesy of Shepley Bulfinch

30. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Method:
• Regarding environmental
variables, client gathered data
on light levels in new and old
facility.
• Regarding outcomes, the
research team gathered data
on patient pain and other
medical statistics.
• Client provided staff attrition
and absenteeism data.
Plan courtesy of Shepley Bulfinch

31. RESEARCH/PRACTICE MODELS
Results:
• Patient outcomes support the
hypothesized trends, but not
statistically significant.
• Improvements in retention
and absenteeism were found.
Photo courtesy of Shepley Bulfinch

32. RESEARCH IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
In-House Research Model – RIPP
What is RIPP?
• Researchers in Professional Practice
• Founded in 2008
• Listserv
• Gathering at Annual Conference
• Biennial survey (2010 and 2012)
• Respondents in 2012 (n=15)
• Email distribution with follow up
• Subject source: participation in Health Design Summit, RIPP

33. RIPP SURVEY
1. What type of firm do you work for?
2. What is your firm size?
3. What is your office size?
4. How many staff involved with research?
5. Staff member dedicated to research?
6. Major research roles?
7. Other activities?
8. Do your researchers publish?
9. Are researchers involved with design?
10. How are researchers involved with clients?
11. Roles of staff who work with researchers?
12. Roles of people outside firm who work with researchers?
13. Researcher educational background?
14. Sources of funding?
15. Market sectors?
16. Research topics?

34. ABOUT RESEARCH IN YOUR PRACTICE …
POINTS TO CONSIDER
QUALITY I s t he conduct ed r esear ch subst ant i ve?
PRACTICALITY I s t he r esear ch w l -i nt egr at ed i nt o t he desi gn
el
pr ocess?
COMMUNICATION Ar e t he r esear ch f i ndi ngs com uni cat ed ef f ect i vel y?
m
SUPPORT I s a busi ness model i n pl ace t hat suppor t s r esear ch
act i vi t i es?

35. NOTES FROM RIPP STUDY IN 2010
TOP BARRIERS TO RESEARCH
RESEARCHERS 1. Labor H s our
2. Addi t i onal Ti m e BUSINESS
3. Bi l l i ng Pr ecedent
4. R evant Evi dence
el
5. C i ent Suppor t & C r adi ct or y R
l ont esear ch
PRACTITIONERS 1. R evant Evi dence
el
2. I dent i f y Fl aw R
ed esear ch
3. Bi l l i ng Pr ecedent RESEARCH
4. C r adi ct or y R
ont esear ch
5. Addi t i onal Ti m e

36. 2012 RESEARCH IN PRACTICE FOLLOW-UP
QUESTIONS
QUALITY W i s t he r esear ch st af f l evel of exper t i se?
hat
W ar e t he out si de col l abor at or s?
ho
PRACTICALITY Ar e t he r esear cher s i nvol ved i n t he desi gn pr ocess?
Ar e t he r esear ch f i ndi ngs i ncor por at ed i nt o desi gn?
COMMUNICATION Ar e t he r esear ch f i ndi ngs publ i shed and shar ed
t hr ough appr opr i at e out l et s?
SUPPORT Howar e t he r esear ch act i vi t i es f unded?
H ar e t he r esear ch act i vi t i es suppor t i ng t he
ow
busi ness?

37. TYPE AND SIZE OF OFFICES
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
16
12
8
4
0
1_49 50_149 150_299 300 and over

38. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES STAFFING
16 16
14 14
12 12
10 10
8 8
6 6
4 4
2 2
0 0
Yes No, But we No, But we No 1 Person 2-4 People Over 5
plan to used to People
have in the have in the
future past
Does your office have a research How many people in your
staff member dedicated to research office are involved with
for more than 50% of their time? research?

39. RESEARCH STAFF ACTIVITIES
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

40. RESEARCH AREAS OF FOCUS
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Sustainability Building Health Operational User User
Technology Efficiency Satisfaction Performance

41. RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

42. RESEARCH STAFF BACKGROUND
16
14
12
10
4 or more
8
2 or 3
6 Only 1
4
2
0
B.A B.Arch/BED M.A. M.Sc M.Arch PhD

43. INVOLVEMENT WITH DESIGN
16
14
How is the research
12
staff involved with the
10 Design Process?
8
6
4
2
0
Strategic Schematic Design Coordinate Inform Design
Planning Design Development POEs with Team about
Project EBD
Managers

44. INVOLVEMENT WITH DESIGN
16
How is the research
14 staff involved with
clients?
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Not In Support To Discuss To Discuss As Project
Involved of Firm Design POEs Leaders
Marketing Decisions

45. INTERNAL RESEARCH COLLABORATORS
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Architects and Support Staff Marketing Staff Project Managers Office
Designers Managers/Directors

46. EXTERNAL RESEARCH COLLABORATORS
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Educators Researchers Facility Clinicians Vendors Peers
Managers

47. SOURCES OF FUNDING
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Client Funded Projects External Funding Firm Overhead Firm Research and
Opportunities Development

48. MARKET SECTORS SUPPORT
70
Very little support
60 Little support
Strong support
50 Very strong support
40
30
20
10
0

49. SURVEY SUMMARY
FINDINGS
QUALITY A w de r ange of act i vi t i es, l evel of exper t i se, and
i
t i m and budget dedi cat i on can be obser ved acr oss
e
f i r m w ch i s due t o each f i r m needs and
s, hi s
r esour ces. H ever , t hi s can dem
ow onst r at e need f or
i nt r oduci ng a bench m k f or r esear ch i n Pr act i ce.
ar
PRACTICALITY W l e r esear cher s ar e i nvol ved w t h desi gn
hi i
pr ocess, t hei r st r ongest pr esence i s i n m ket i ng
ar
and r esear ch- i ndi cat i ng t hat r esear ch i s m l y
ost
used f or busi ness devel opm r at her t han i nf or m ng
ent i
desi gn deci si ons
COMMUNICATION M f i r m use a w de var i et y of out l et s t o
ost s i
com uni cat e t hei r r esear ch f i ndi ngs.
m
SUPPORT N eed f or est abl i shi ng a sust ai nabl e busi ness m odel
f or r esear ch i n pr act i ce i s evi dent . M f i r m ar e
ost s

50. FEEDBACK