I. Introduction Project Description & Location Neighborhood Description.

The project is to create a small Dermatology facility located in Morningside Heights, New York. This study on human behavior at medical offices is a guide to design the best environment for employees and patients, benefiting their physical being and health.

Dermatology is a branch of medicine dealing with skin1, treating patients with medical and cosmetic concerns. Most common medical treatments are relating to acnes, unusual moles, and dark spots on the skin. Cosmetic treatments are mostly face lifting, liposuction and Botox. There are many dermatology offices in New York City, and each one specializing in different treatments. For example, some dermatology clinics focus more in medical dermatology than cosmetics, while others prefer to offer services in cosmetic dermatology.

The neighborhood where the office is to be located, Morningside Heights, extends from 109th Street

to 123rd Street in Manhattan. Its population is mainly single people or young couples, averaging 28 years old and without children. According to city-data.com, the average income for this area is $60,000.00, with real state starting from $150,000.00. Moreover, the character of Morningside Heights is very young and cozy. Its design aspect is a combination of turn-of-the century architecture with contemporary style for the newly rich young couples. In addition, it provides its residents with abundant leisure time, as evidenced in the many parks in Morningside Heights, such as Morningside Park on the east, and Riverside Park on the west.

According to my research findings, there isnt a dermatology office located in Morningside Heights

at the moment; therefore, this new project will be designed to accommodate the people in and near this neighborhood. Given its proximity to West Harlem, the target patient is of varied ethnicities, and about 25 years old. Services offered are primarily of medical dermatology for all skin types and tones. Cosmetic procedures are limited to liposuction. In addition, the facility accepts insurance in order to accommodate people with different income levels, although cosmetic treatments are accepted by referral only.

The main issues surrounding this type of facility are circulation and adjustability. This issues will be

addresses easing the circulation when migrating from one room to another, and by allocating clear signage where needed. In continuation, accessible furnishings allow users to adapt and adjust to the environment as best suits them. These solutions should be implemented without compromising the design.

Scope of Work Reception: the reception zone is to register, wait for appointment, read magazines or access Internet, and look at products and brochures. It is also an area to answer phone calls, prepare and store files, write notes, hand amenities and answer questions. Its purpose is to greet patients, confirm their appointments, and guide them to the waiting area. Executive Doctors Office: the doctors office is a place for consultation and doctor-patient relations. Exam Room: is a place for consultation and doctor-patient relations. Also, most medical and cosmetic procedures will take place on treatment rooms. Surgery Suite: the surgery suite is where liposuction surgery and Botox application occur. After surgery, patient will be able to recover from local anesthesia in this area as well. Preparation Room: for medical and patients to prepare for surgery. Sitting Area: for patients to recover from surgery. Staff Station: an area for staff to congregate while waiting for patients.

1 http://www.nymag.com

Admin Office: basic office administration duties such as bookkeeping, marketing, supplies orders, are performed here. Laboratory: for preparation and storage of samples and biopsies. Pantry/Dining: an area for employees to eat, rest, have conversation with coworkers, and take breaks. File/General Storage: patients files are stored here, as well as general office use supplies. II. Research and Analysis User Groups & Behavioral Concerns: Identification & Description Primary User Groups: 13-18 years of age about 35% uses the facility 18-50 years of age about 40% uses the facility 50-60 years of age about 25% uses the facility Men about 40% uses the facility Women about 60% uses the facility User income starts at $24,000.00

Primary Users Behavioral Concerns: Due to privacy concerns a medical office should protect more than just a patients health and well-being. Whereas in many dermatological offices patients are require to wear a gown, patients might feel embarrassed being exposed in this manner. Therefore, changing rooms and storage for patients belongings should be provided in the facility. Acoustics should also be a factor in designing the space. Doctor-patients relationships are exclusive to them, and other people should not be able to overhear conversations that occur inside the office.

Furthermore, in the waiting area, territoriality should be applied. Territoriality is the need for ones physical space to be delineated2. It is a fact that when communal seating is provided in a public space, people tend to sit at the ends, away from strangers, while the seats in between remains empty. People feel uncomfortable seating next to strangers, especially in a medical office. Providing individual seating, or separating seats with armrests, will give patients a sense of territoriality, allowing patients to feel more comfortable and secure.

Moreover, proxemics should also be taken into consideration when designing the office. Proxemics

is the study of the nature of spatial distances maintained by people in different circumstances3. Those distances are known as intimate, personal, social and public. It is said that if a person is within 18 or less close to another, that person is within the intimate space. In a waiting area, we all tend to maintain our intimate distance from strangers. Therefore, this area requires special attention when deciding seating types and seating layouts, allowing patients to stay within their comfortable zone.

Finally, universal design should exist in the medical office. Universal design accommodates people

of all ages, heights, and physical abilities. It includes both ergonomic and anthropometric sciences. The medical facility should be designed to accommodate multiple different user groups at all times. Therefore, special features will be employed to achieve this goal.

2 Foundations of Interior Design, Susan J. Slotkis. Fairchild Publications Inc, 1st Edition. 3 Foundations of Interior Design, Susan J. Slotkis. Fairchild Publications Inc, 1st Edition.

Secondary User Group

2 medical doctors 2 medical assistants 2 receptionists 1 Office Administrator 2 assistants

There is a minimum of two doctors in the facility, each of whom require separated offices. Each office requires adjustable furniture and accessibility to house multiple user groups at once. Storage, for example, should be allocated at seating height to provide easy access to instruments and supplies. The reception desk, as the administration office, will not be different from the doctors office when it comes to ergonomics and anthropometrics. Under-counter storage of easy access while seated and plenty of legroom should be a must. Adjustable furnishings are also a requirement to provide employees with comfort that benefit their health and work productivity. Tertiary User Group Tertiary user group is composed mainly of delivery people such as postmen, purveyors and vendors, and janitors. Mail and supplies delivery require a special entrance in addition to storage. Vendors will require a separate meeting area and janitors require cleaning closet. Mail at least once a day Supplies at least once a month Lab pick-up at least once a Day Janitor at least one a day

Design Concerns There are many design concerns for this project that cannot be overlooked. Among them are accessibility, sustainability, comfort, productivity and efficiency. Being able to address them improves the quality of experience of all user groups, whether during their visit or work hours. Designing a space that is accessible, adjustable and adaptable can be achieved by implementing desks and counters at different height levels to accommodate different human behaviors. This idea concept creates an environment that houses multiple user groups. To comply with sustainability principles, the project utilizes mainly sustainable materials that are durable and causes minimum impact on the environment. In order to fulfill some of the LEED requirements, about 75% of the area should have access to natural daylight and outdoor view. Incorporating natural daylight and outdoor view into the space is good for the health and well-being of users, and also increase productivity. Moreover, privacy and proximity practices are employed in designing the office. In the waiting area for example, seating are laid out to keep people on their most comfortable zone. The choice of seating also matters when working with proximity for it can establish territoriality. In addition, privacy is the main concern in overall design. It should somewhat exist within the offices area, such as treatments room, administration area, and so on. Last, public circulation that directs the patient throughout the office; from reception to waiting area, to treatment room, back to exit. This allows easy circulation and efficiency throughout the workspace.

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