This document discusses using parametric modeling to optimize nurse walking distances and enhance workflow in hospital unit design. It presents a theoretical framework for how walking distance as a driver can impact environmental quality, human outcomes like time in patient care, and organizational outcomes. A case study compares centralized and decentralized nurse stations in a 36-bed unit, finding decentralized reduced distances by up to 36%. Future research opportunities include building parametric tools to automatically generate and evaluate design alternatives based on user-defined criteria.