Dustin Swart, PE, has more than 15 years of structural engineering experience. As an Associate in the Structural Department, Dustin leads and collaborates with clients, designers, architects, engineers, and construction teams to ensure the total scope of work is complete in a timely manner. Today, we asked him a few questions about the healthcare market sector and how it has changed over the years.
What is your role at RLG and how does it tie in with the Healthcare Market sector?
As an associate and group leader in the structural department, I assume leadership responsibilities within my structural team. This entails overseeing and coordinating the efforts of team members, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently and in alignment with established structural engineering standards.
How has the healthcare market sector evolved over the past 5 years, and what key trends have emerged during this period?
One notable development, observed in both professional and personal contexts, is the significant rise and prioritization of telemedicine. This shift can be attributed to several factors, with the events of 2020 and the swift advancements in video conferencing technology being foremost among them. Interestingly, the effects of this evolution on the market sector appear to have been relatively modest. A more substantial influence on our work has been the growing emphasis on small local clinics, marking a notable trend that gained momentum prior to 2020, diverting attention from the larger acute hospitals.
How does RLG approach the challenges and requirements that may be associated with designing healthcare facilities?
Our overarching philosophy for effectively navigating the diverse challenges inherent in healthcare projects centers on a fundamental principle that extends beyond the specifics of each challenge. This principle involves attentive listening to the client's needs and a commitment to going above and beyond, often exceeding expectations, to accommodate those needs. Additionally, we prioritize responsiveness to their requests and communications, transparently communicating any obstacles that may impede the precise fulfillment of their requirements.
What are the design trends in healthcare facilities, and are there notable differences in the demand for renovations versus new construction projects?
In the DFW area, a notable trend involves the imperative for healthcare facilities to rapidly expand outward from the core of the metropolitan area, driven by the concentrated population growth in suburban areas, particularly those on the far outer edges. The demand for healthcare services closely follows, sometimes even preceding, the sprawl of urban development. Regarding disparities between the demand for new construction and renovations, the distinction is apparent. New builds predominantly extend farther from the city core, while renovations are moving inward. The necessity for renovations in urban cores remains a substantial aspect of our work. This dynamic is influenced by evolving patient care practices, advancements in healthcare technologies, and other factors that render traditional facility functions obsolete or restrictive in light of contemporary needs.
Can you share some examples of common engineering challenges encountered when working on healthcare facility projects and the approaches taken to overcome them?
Renovation projects, as briefly mentioned earlier, pose some of the most formidable challenges in healthcare initiatives. The extent of these challenges can vary widely within the spectrum of renovations, encompassing a range of unique, unfortunate, unforeseen, or otherwise unknown conditions. Many of our renovation endeavors involve buildings that are quite old, some dating back as much as a century. The evolution of construction techniques, building codes, and structural design practices over this extensive timeframe necessitates significant efforts to bring the base structure up to current standards, introducing considerable complexities. In navigating such challenges, RLG places a strong emphasis on creativity, the integration of recent technologies, and a proactive willingness to explore multiple options to effectively meet the needs of the end user.
What sets RLG apart from other engineering firms in the healthcare market sector, and how do these differences benefit clients and projects?
What distinguishes RLG from others is our extensive experience, a factor that has shaped our long-standing presence in providing services within the healthcare market sector. Our history is marked by encountering and successfully overcoming a myriad of challenges, and this heritage is a valuable asset that we bring to every project we undertake. As previously mentioned, our commitment to prioritizing the client is another hallmark of our approach. The manifestation of this commitment varies depending on the specific needs of each project. As structural engineers, there is a temptation to resort to standard solutions rooted in the familiar refrain of 'how it's always been done' or 'we can't make that work.' However, RLG distinguishes itself by offering genuine value through a proactive willingness to go beyond the conventional, foster creativity, and explore innovative solutions to meet the unique demands of each client.
In what ways do healthcare buildings differ from other types of construction, and what are some key factors that engineers must consider when working on healthcare projects?
Two key distinctions set healthcare projects apart from other market sectors. Firstly, the inclusion of specialized equipment in healthcare facilities, such as imaging tools, robotics, and highly sensitive treatment equipment, necessitates unique structural considerations. The second, and often more challenging aspect, involves forward-thinking considerations for the owner's or facility's future needs. When designing a new healthcare facility, it is uncommon for us not to contemplate potential expansions, whether vertical or horizontal, to meet the evolving demands of a growing population. This forward-thinking approach adds a layer of complexity to healthcare projects, requiring careful consideration and planning for future adaptability.
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