Clemson’s Architecture + Health program proudly hosted an engaging alumni event at the Slippery Noodle Inn, inviting all alumni to reconnect and share their journeys with current A+H students. This interactive gathering offered students a unique opportunity to gain invaluable insights from those who have walked their path, enriching their educational experience and inspiring future success.
MONDAY NIGHT
The Architecture + Health students also attended the Night at the Museum networking event hosted by HCD at the Indiana State Museum. It provided the students with the unique opportunity to engage with a diverse array of professionals, each bringing their own perspectives and experiences to the table. At the same time, students had the chance to visit the museum exhibits, which offered a rich educational experience in a lively atmosphere, stimulating their intellectual curiosity.
The Architecture + Health studio, was deeply appreciative of the opportunity to attend the HCD conference in Indianapolis. It was an exceptional experience to attend keynotes, healthcare sessions, luncheons, networkingevents, and the expo, where we were immersed in healthcare design with vendors showcasing their products, materials, and technologies.
Additionally, we were grateful to have Clemson Alumni Ethan Hopkins (HKS) give a seminar on emergency environments, “Optimizing Emergency Care: Smart Strategies for Affordable, Compact, and High-Performance ED Treatment Stations.” His significant contributions and hard work in coordinating the student charrette at HCD made us all proud to be part of the A+H community.
Clemson A+H Alumni Ethan Hopkins
DAY 2:
A heartfelt event marked the second day of the HCD Conference. At one of the keynotes, faculty David Allision participated in a panel, paying tribute to Clemson Alumni Walter Jones, who left a lasting impact on the healthcare design industry.
Walter Jones’ family receiving his tribute
Keynote Panel
Clemson A+H Director David Allison
In the afternoon, our very own M.Arch Student Jennifer Jonson was recognized for her exceptional work. Her presidential citation video, which was well received at the ACHA Luncheon, is a testament to her talent and our community’s support for her.
Clemson A+H M.Arch student Jennifer Jonson
As the day progressed, we witnessed another proud moment for Clemson. Our Alumni, Cassidy Roberts (SmithGroup), alongside her coworkers, presented their project, Decaf Hospital. Their project was selected at the 2024 HCD Breaking Through Finale, underscoring its significance and impact.
Clemson A+H alumni Cassidy Roberts presenting Decaf Hospital
At the AIA-AAH Update Session, we were privileged to have our M.S. Student, Ana Sandoval, be awarded the Arthur S. Tuttle Fellowship.
Clemson A+H MS student Ana Sandoval
SUNDAY
The day of sessions concluded with Clemson Alumni Seth Bout (HuntonBrady Architects) presenting at the AIA-AAH forum on the Good and Bad of Benchmarking.
Clemson A+H Alumni Seth Bout
TUESDAY
DAY 3:
The final day of the HCD Conference for Clemson students concluded with attending sessions related to crucial themes surrounding healthcare design. We are proud to have faculty, Anjali Joseph and Ph.D. Student Monica Gripko, leading the way in their research, giving a seminar on research and outcomes, “Safe But Not Healing: Exploring Nurses’ Perceptions of Inpatient Behavioral Care Environments.”
They were followed by an AIA-AAH presentation on the Tuttle and GMZ Fellowships by Ph.D. Students Sara Kennedy, who received the Tuttle Fellowship, and Swati Goel, who received the GMZ Fellowship.
Finally, esteemed faculty Anjali Joseph and David Allison, alongside PhD student Monica Gripko, gave an informative session on pediatrics, “Addressing the Pediatric Mental Health Crisis: Developing Human-Centered Design Solutions.”
The student charrette team arrived in Indianapolis ahead of their peers, excited to embark on a transformative journey. Some students took flights, while others traveled by van. Regardless of how they traveled, this experience offered them a valuable opportunity to connect and build lasting relationships, setting the stage for a memorable adventure together.
FRIDAY While the charrette team was absorbed in their work, the rest of the Architecture + Health studio embarked on a unique learning experience with a tour of the IU Health Campus. This insightful visit, which provided a deep understanding of the new downtown hospital, was a privilege that the students could directly apply to their current studio project.
SATURDAY The A+H students journeyed to Columbus, Indiana, for a day trip, immersing themselves in the city’s history. The tour was not only a chance for them to bond but also a valuable learning experience. As a delightful conclusion to the walking tour, the students indulged in the sweet reward of homemade ice cream at a nostalgic retro parlor.
FRIDAY Four M.Arch Students, Janelle Eastman, Rojer T.C., Angela Liu, and Yash Salian, were selected to participate in the student charrette at the HCD Healthcare Design Expo & Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their 48-hour experience began with a site tour of the IU Health Campus. Later, they began to work diligently on their project. The remaining A+H students visited the workroom to support their fellow classmates.
SATURDAY The student charrette team presented their project at the Mid-term Review, eagerly seeking feedback from a panel of design professionals. This interaction with experts fueled their motivation, and the students spent the entire day refining their project.
SUNDAY The student charrette team presented their projects in an informal setting at the AIA-AAH Reception / Celebration, sparking engaging discussions with other school student charrette teams.
MONDAY The experience concluded with the student charrette team presenting their final project at the AIA-AAH STERISStudent Design Charette Presentations. The team was privileged to work alongside esteemed faculty Lyndsey Deaton and David Allison, who guided them during the process. Overall, it was a challenging yet rewarding experience for these students. Their hard work and dedication resulted in a strong project. Ultimately, they have gained valuable skills from this charrette experience that can be applied to their academic and professional work.
We are so proud that one of our Master of Architecture in Architecture + Health alumna, Emily McGee (formerly McGowan), received the 2023 Roaring10 Award for her incredible impact on healthcare design earlier this year. This honor recognizes alums who contributed significantly to their field within ten years of graduation. Emily exemplifies the spirit of integrity and respect that drives change in the industry.
McGee’s journey took an unexpected turn when she graduated from Ball State University with a degree in architecture and graphic design. She initially worked for a smaller Indianapolis firm, not foreseeing her future in healthcare design. However, her experience there ignited a passion for the field that she never knew she had.
Later, she moved to Washington, D.C., joining SmithGroup, where fellow Clemson alumna Brenna Costello mentored her. Costello’s guidance inspired McGee to apply to Clemson’s Architecture + Health program. McGee was drawn by the program’s focus on health facility design and appreciated learning from esteemed faculty including David Allison, Dr. Dina Battisto, and Dr. Anjali Joseph.
Today, at HOK, McGee’s work is a beacon of hope for underserved communities. Her focus on projects that promote equity and improve access to quality care is a testament to her unwavering commitment to social responsibility through architecture. Her dedication and values inspire us all to strive for a better world through our work.
As she looks to the future, Emily McGee is eager to continue her support for her alma mater and serve as an alumna. Her dedication is a shining example of the lasting impact our alumni can have on the world. Her future plans to give back and support others demonstrate the enduring influence of a Clemson education.
McCulloch England Architects is currently seeking Healthcare Architects to join their team. These roles are pivotal to advancing their mission of elevating community health through design excellence. As a Healthcare Architect, you will collaborate closely with healthcare teams, engage in comprehensive project planning, and drive design solutions that meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. Although the positions are not for new grads, McCulloch England Architects is committed to continuing to assist the Clemson Architecture + Health alumni as they look for new opportunities years after graduation.
Contact Us
For more details or inquiries, please contact Grace O. Murray at gmurray@mccullochengland.com or 704-372-2740.
McCulloch England Architects looks forward to discovering how you can contribute to their vision of inspiring and improving community health through design.McCulloch England Architects100 Queens Road Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28204 https://www.mccullochengland.com/
The Architecture + Health studio commenced the 2024-2025 school year with a trip to Atlanta and Charleston. In Atlanta, we were hosted by HKS Architects for a reception, providing us with the unique opportunity to engage with a diverse array of professionals, each bringing their own perspectives and experiences to the table.
HKS Atlanta Office
The following day, we had the opportunity to attend the AIA SAR Conference, which was themed around Healthcare Architecture in a Rapidly Changing World. The conference covered a variety of topics, including changes in healthcare delivery, AI and emerging technologies, carbon-neutral designs, and converting retail space to healthcare facilities. The event concluded with a panel discussion that further enriched our understanding of the presented topics.
Panel Session led by David Allison at the AIA SAR Conference
Following the AIA SAR Conference, we traveled to Charleston, SC, where we visited the MUSC campus, which is the location for our vertical studio project this fall. Our day was enriched by a captivating and enlightening seminar session at the CDC.C with Marc Marchant and Ray Huff, who shared their insights on the history of Charleston and the development of the Medical District. We concluded the day with a scenic walking tour of the southern Peninsula, passing by Waterfront Park, the Battery, and numerous historic homes and buildings, fostering a deeper appreciation for the city.
Charleston MUSC Campus TourCDC.C Seminar with Marc Marchant and Ray HuffCharleston Waterfront Park
As we reflect on the start of the 2024-2025 school year, we are filled with gratitude for the enriching experiences we had on our trip to Atlanta and Charleston. We feel fortunate to be part of Clemson’s Architecture + Health program, which provides us with such unique learning opportunities.
Congratulations to the A+H Class of 2024! We are very proud of you, and look forward to seeing what the future holds for each of you. You will be missed!
First year A+H students are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with local businesswomen Amber and Alex Arnold to provide programming and pre-design services for a freestanding birthcenter and luxurious postnatal retreat in Greenville, SC. This culturally sensitive and inclusive space is centered on healthy and supportive bonding experiences for new moms and their babies.
Working under the guidance of Architect and Assistant Professor Lyndsey Deaton, PhD in the practicum-based course Programming and Predesign we will learn how to work with real clients on a real project! Each student will contribute to the team and to the project in a specific role, providing valuable experience in professional teamwork. We started by conducting research through project precedents, interviews with medical professionals and hospitality specialists, and surveys with pregnant women and new moms. As shown in the images above, we analyzed a few plots in a local planned development and recommended a site. Next, we will plan and facilitate a design charrette with project stakeholders including investors, practitioners, and pregnant women in March. Finally, we will compile all of our research and design recommendations into a Program of Requirements.
We are grateful for this opportunity to work with a local client and contribute to such an exciting new project in the Upstate community!
The Architecture + Health program was fortunate
to have the opportunity to travel to New Orleans, LA to attend the 2023 HCD
conference. In addition to attending the HCD Conference, we were also able to
see the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, meet
some wonderful alumni of the A+H program, and tour two inspiring hospitals as
well as the HKS Atlanta office.
Our first stop on Thursday was the Northeast
Georgia Medical Center, where we had the opportunity to tour the mechanical
spaces and learn about the mechanical systems that enable this hospital’s energy efficiency. In the evening, we were
joined by alumni Chenyue Yuan for a wonderful dinner.
We began our day on Friday with a wonderful
experience touring the HKS Atlanta office. The team was hospitable and the
office was beautiful, and it was a great experience to get an insight into such
a respected firm in healthcare architecture. We are so grateful to our A+H
alumni and the whole team for their hospitality, and for taking the time to
share some projects and experiences with us.
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice
aims to create a space to for people to gather and reflect on our nation’s history of racial inequality in a sober and
meaningful way. The memorial is constructed with over 800 steel monuments, each
representing a county in the United States where a lynching occurred, and the
names of victims are engraved on the columns. As we explored this deeply moving
space, we experienced the power of architecture to express grief and memory,
and to inspire change.
On Saturday, we had the opportunity to tour the
New Orleans Children’s
Hospital. This was a valuable and wonderful experience to expand our
understanding of pediatric hospital design. It was a great privilege to have
this tour of such a beautifully designed facility.
On Monday night we were joined by over 50 A+H
alumni and had a fantastic time meeting and reconnecting!
We had three wonderful days at HCD, attended
many extraordinary lectures and seminars, connected with many inspiring people,
and returned home looking forward to implementing some new ideas into our
projects. We were able to be present for presentations from Clemson Professors
David Allison, Anjali Joseph, Dina Battista, and Vincent Blouin. Several A+H
alums were recognized for exemplary contributions in healthcare architecture.
Congratulations to the following A+H alumni who received recognition at HCD 2023!
Presentations:
David Allison
Anjali Joseph
Dina Battisto
Vincent Blouin
Anthony Asher
Christian Bormann
Scott Meade
Kimberly Stanley
Deborah Wingler
Kirk Hamilton
Walter B. Jones
Frank Zilm
Asma Sanaee
Shan Jiang
MillerKnoll:
Madilyn Dubois
Cassidy Bland Roberts
Tuttle Fellowship:
Sara Kennedy
GMZ Fellowship:
Swati Goel
2023 Healthcare Design Awards:
Kenneth Webb (HKS)
Kimberly Bandy (ZGF)
David Allison
Anjali Joseph
HKS Atlanta
alums:
Thabang Nyondo
Les Saunders
Hannah Shultz
Ethan Hopkins
New Orleans Children’s
Hospital:
Sarah Wade Walter
What an incredible experience, and a truly
unique opportunity for us as students to attend a trip like this. We are
sincerely grateful.
This past Friday the Architecture + Health team had the privilege of travelling 2 hours north to Gastonia, North Carolina to visit The Birthplace at CaroMont Health designed by our very own Scott Rawlings and his partner Robby Aull, Principal at SSOE.
A tour lead by Jennifer Sciba, Director of Women and Children’s Health Services at CaroMont Health, included exploring the optimized patient rooms and the NICU with lots of focus on staying family centered and escaping from the machine-like birthing processes and clinical spaces of older facilities. It was such an amazing experience witnessing the importance of family-centered design, natural movement, and priority to support mothers and new families in this space.
On the road to the Healthcare Design Conference and Expo 2025! The A+H studio had an amazing time traveling together (all 14 hours) to get to this year’s conference held in Kansas City, MO! With 2 big black vans, 14 eager students, and 30 plus bags, the group had a great time on the road gazing at the beautiful autumn Appalachian landscape to our first stop in Nashville.
ESa and TMP Office Tours | October 23-24
In Nashville, we had the chance to tour two local architecture firms: ESa Architects in the downtown and TMP in Franklin, a nearby suburb.
At ESa, the tour and presentation were led by Jason Cowan and Sam Burnette, highlighting key buildings and architecture from their firm in the hopes of inspiring the group for their studio project this semester. Their office was charming with big windows allowing the ‘golden hour’ sun to shine through while overlooking the Nashville skyline. A big thank you to Jason, Sam, and the rest of the ESa team for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk to the group (and treating us to some amazing quesadillas and margaritas later that night)!
TMP, located in a quieter part of the greater Nashville area, welcomed us with a Chik-fil-A breakfast and coffee. The tour and presentation lead by Josh Stewart and Michelle Goodman was equally as inspiring and exciting, as they showcased their new office, with amazing interior design, attention to private spaces, and impressive desk layout. A big thank you to Josh, Michelle, and the rest of the TMP team for being so welcoming and letting the group see their office!
The Road to Kansas City, MO | October 24
After a fun first night in Nashville, the studio hit the road again for the next stop. Day two of the trip was filled with plenty of roadside stretches, coffee runs, and spontaneous photo ops. From playground breaks under tall trees to crossing state lines, the group kept spirits high as we made our way through the Midwest. With good music, lots of snacks, and even more laughter, the long drive became very memorable. By the time we reached Kansas City, we were energized and ready for the Healthcare Design Conference to begin.
Kansas University Medical CenterTour | October 25 Morning
After finally arriving in Kansas City (a big thank you to our student drivers), the group had the amazing experience of touring the Kansas University Medical Center. This was such a pivotal tour for the A+H students as a majority of us have never been behind the patient hospital walls before.
ACHA 25th Anniversary Party | October 25 Evening
Its time to set up for the ACHA 25th Anniversary Party located in the stunning venue of the National World War I Museum. As the group mingled with professionals, it was obvious how close this group of healthcare architects are and how dedicated they are to designing environments that are safe, functional, and innovative. Each person we talked to had words of inspiration and motivation, revealing our importance to the next generation of healthcare architects. What an amazing way to start HCD with #25yearsofACHA!
The moment we’ve all been waiting for… Healthcare Design Conference 2025 in Kansas City, MO!
The group had amazing time attending the conference. It was a busy schedule packed with attending informative sessions, meeting colleagues, eating amazing food, celebrating with firms at their after parties, and collecting as much free merch from the expo as possible!
The sessions spanned from talks about historical buildings and key moments in the history of healthcare architecture to informative and precautionary tales of integrating AI into our daily practice. The sessions were inspiring, all with an underlying foreshadowing of big changes in the future of the profession which means a great motivation to us students.
It was great to meet alumni from those recently graduated to those who started the program as they lead talks and discussions, proving that the A+H program alumni are making big waves in the world of healthcare architecture.
HCD Day 3 | October 28
One insightful session was by recent graduate, Ana Sandoval, as she presented her thesis and led discussion on her design of a woman’s clinic in Honduras, inspired by the trials and tribulations women face in the medical field.
For a lot of the group, this was the first time in Kansas City and we had a wonderful time exploring the local bar scene and joining in on the Monday night football celebrations! It is always a wonderful time exploring the country!
A big thank you to David Allison, Scott Rawlings, Alexa Smith, and all the people that made this trip possible!
This fall, I had the opportunity to work at the Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing as their first undergraduate intern. I am currently a senior here at Clemson University majoring in Health Science with a minor in Architecture. I had always wanted to work in the healthcare industry, so when deciding on a major, I went with the obvious choice. I had yet to learn how architecture is just as big a part of healthcare as anything else.
I decided to add a minor in architecture to my studies when I discovered the program my sophomore year here at Clemson. My roommate at the time was an architecture major and the work that she was doing fascinated me. I have always been interested in design and how our spaces can influence our behavior and how we think. The minor in Architecture introduced me to my love for architecture and completely changed my plans for the future. In order to complete my bachelor’s in health science, we must finish an internship in the field, and I think I was the first to tell my advisor that I wanted my internship to be related to architecture. She did some research and was eventually able to connect me to the Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing (CHFDT), a perfect mix of my two interests. I reached out to Anjali, the Director of the Center, and expressed my interest in working with them and was thrilled to be selected as their first undergraduate intern.
The CHFDT has given me a unique perspective on what a future in healthcare can look like. When I first walked into the Center, I didn’t know what to expect. As the Center’s first undergraduate intern, I was excited to see what I was going to work on and how health and architecture interact. During my internship, I have had the opportunity to assist the team with the EDen room project, which is focused on designing a flexible emergency department room for mental and behavioral health patients, as well as medical patients. My roles have included sitting in on team meetings, collecting data from mental health professionals during simulation-based evaluation of physical mock-ups, and analyzing that data to develop recommendations for design refinement. I have learned about the importance of minimizing ligature risks for mental and behavioral health patients and how lighting, color, and the overall design of the physical environment can improve comfort and support patient dignity.
One of the most rewarding parts of this experience has been being surrounded by such a talented team, including PhD students, researchers, and architecture students. They’ve introduced me to research methods that have deepened my understanding of how healthcare spaces affect patients and staff. I’ve learned how to formulate research questions, analyze data from behavioral observations, and gather feedback through interviews and mock-up simulations. It was interesting to see how insights from staff can affect design and how we can use that data to support patient and staff safety.
Some highlights of my time here at the Center include our pumpkin carving event for Halloween where we all got to showcase our design skills on pumpkin faces and acting the role of a patient being transported in a hospital as part of a training exercise for a research study on intrahospital transport. I was transported around in a wheelchair by PhD students playing the role of nurses with a trashcan as my oxygen unit, while other researchers tested out the tools they were going to use for the actual study at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The team has truly welcomed me as one of their own and have taught me valuable skills that I will take with me wherever I go.
Overall, this internship has helped me discover a new perspective on health and design and how my interests can be combined. I love thinking about how spaces can impact behavior and how design can improve healthcare experiences. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be the first undergraduate intern with the CHFDT and to have been able to figure out together with the team how undergraduate students can potentially assist in future research projects. As I move forward, I plan to pursue a Master of Architecture and continue to explore how design can support health and create environments where patients and caregivers can feel safe. This experience has helped me decide what I want my future to look like in the healthcare industry and I am excited to see what more I can learn with my time left at the Center.
This Semester’s Project and Site Visit | August 23
Following the AIA-AAH SAR conference, we took a day trip to North Carolina for a site visit where we learned that the big focus for our fall studio project is to design a critical access center and campus in Lake Lure, NC. This presents a challenging and exciting opportunity to rethink how healthcare can serve a rural community while responding to the natural landscape.
Town of Lake Lure
Project Site
Our project site tells a story ofresilience and rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. Surrounded by a golf course, forested walking trails, and a hilly landscape, the site offers both challenges and opportunities for design. We began our site visit by hiking the Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail to better understand the landscape.
Hiking the Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail
After finishing the hiking trail, we gathered as a group to debrief and discuss the project details. Our faculty, David Allision and Scott Rawlings led a conversation about the site’s opportunities and constraints, encouraging students to share first impressions and design ideas for how healthcare could integrate with the surrounding landscape.
Flooding as a site challenge
Project Debrief
Not only was this day trip a good way to get familiar with our new studio project, but it also allowed the team to get to know one another as the school year begins!
AIA-AAH South Atlantic Region (SAR) Chautauqua 15.0Conference | August 21-22
The Architecture + Health studio commenced the 2025-26 school year with with the AIA-AAH South Atlantic Region Chautauqua Conference! This year’s theme focused on the application of innovative building systems in healthcare facility planning, design and construction.
The event started Thursday night with a welcome reception and building tour of Timberlab in Piedmont. What an exciting way to network and learn about mass timber construction and innovation!
TimberLab Building Tour
The following morning, around 100 healthcare architects, engineers, designers, and health system representatives, gathered to engage in dialogue about the latest, relevant trends in the healthcare design industry. We saw various building systems and methods including mass timber structural systems, prefabricated and modular construction, low carbon MEP systems.
Panel Discussion at the AIA-AAH South Atlantic Region (SAR) Chautauqua 15.0 Conference
That evening, the A+H students met up for an Alumni Gathering at the Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center and got the opportunity to network with the alumni of the A+H program and to celebrate the accomplishments and longevity of the program!
A+H Alumni Gathering at the Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center
After a summer of internships, travel, and maybe a little much-needed rest, it’s good to be back in Lee Hall! Seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones is always a good reminder that we’re all bringing different experiences to the table, and that’s what makes this program so unique. We’re also excited to welcome a new group of students into the program! Starting the A+H program can feel intense at first, but the energy and curiosity new students bring is contagious.
Here’s to a new school year at Clemson A+H. Let’s make it a good one!
The Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing team had an engaging experience in Dallas, exploring the Stryker showroom and factory floor alongside faculty members David Allison and Anjali Joseph. This insightful visit offered a glimpse into the future of healthcare design, leaving the team inspired and grateful.
