Institutional Design

An institution can be anything from a hospital to a museum to a courthouse. In this context, an institution is differentiated from a corporation. While corporate design focuses on offices, conference rooms, and other business spaces, institutional design includes a wide range of spaces that must accommodate the specific activities and populations of:

• Hospitals, clinics, and medical and dental offices
• Assisted living and residential care facilities
• Schools, universities, and other educational facilities
• Museums and libraries
• Community and cultural centers
• Religious buildings and places of worship
• Courthouses, city halls, and other municipal buildings
• Police and fire stations, prisons, and detention facilities
• Military buildings, including barracks

In addition to office and meeting spaces, institutional designers may need to consider the following:

• High volumes of people
• Durability in areas where high wear and tear can be expected
• Accessibility and inclusive design
• Needs of special populations such as children, older adults, or people with memory problems
• Environmental controls to preserve special materials
• Wayfinding for large numbers of visitors unfamiliar with the facility
• Security for areas open to the public and with regard to people who are at risk or present risks to others
• Health, safety, and hygiene
• Restricted budgets