In 2023, four of our architects specializing in real estate planning and project delivery in the healthcare and social services sectors attended two enriching conferences in their field. From June 12 to 14, 2023, Karen Côté and Marie-Pier Morin travelled to London to take part in the European Healthcare Design 2023 annual conference. Then, from November 4 to 8, 2023, Karine Faucher-Lamontagne and Sabrina Gilbert attended the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference in New Orleans.
Welcome to the European Healthcare Design 2023 conference in London
The three-day event took place at the Royal College of Physicians, in the heart of London, and marked the first time our two architects attended the conference. Speakers and participants came from all over the world, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Finland, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and more. Karen and Marie-Pier also met fellow Canadians from Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.
Through the conferences they attended and discussions with other participants, they observed that our context for delivering healthcare projects is very similar to that of several European countries, as well as Australia, particularly in terms of project funding, ministerial standardization processes, and the overall trajectory of major projects. The challenges encountered in planning and design are also comparable. They found it especially interesting to hear participants and speakers highlight the differences between projects delivered within public healthcare systems and those developed under the United States’ private system.
Emerging trends at the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference in New Orleans
Alongside more than 2,000 healthcare professionals, architects, and industry leaders, Karine and Sabrina had access to nearly 300 exhibitors and suppliers, as well as over 100 conferences covering emerging trends, inspiring projects, and the results of in-depth research. This experience will allow them to apply these insights to current mandates and future healthcare projects within our firm.
This marked Karine’s sixth participation, giving her the opportunity to observe market evolution, the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare environments, and project follow-up from planning through delivery. For Sabrina, this first experience will inspire her to integrate healing design principles and environments into our projects, despite the significant differences between the American and Québec healthcare systems.