The Best 10 Hospital Design Firms in The USA

Introduction: Why Hospital Design Excellence Matters in 2025

In today's competitive healthcare landscape, patient experience and operational efficiency have become key differentiators for healthcare systems across the United States. A well-designed hospital isn't simply an aesthetic achievement—it's a strategic investment that directly impacts patient outcomes, staff retention, and organizational reputation.

The modern hospital design industry is experiencing unprecedented transformation. According to recent data from Interior Design's 2025 Healthcare Giants ranking, acute-care hospital projects represent 48% of all healthcare design sector fees, totaling $498.9 million annually. This surge reflects healthcare leaders' recognition that quality hospital design directly correlates with improved patient satisfaction, reduced infection rates, and enhanced staff productivity.

As hospital administrators, architects, and facility managers navigate complex decisions around new construction and renovations, selecting the right design partner becomes critical. This comprehensive guide examines the top 10 hospital design firms in the USA that are pioneering innovative approaches to healthcare facility design—from smart technology integration to trauma-informed spaces and sustainability-driven solutions.

Key Hospital Design Evaluation Criteria

Before exploring the leading firms, understanding what distinguishes exceptional hospital design is essential. Healthcare facility design encompasses multiple interconnected dimensions:

The Top 10 Hospital Design Firms in The USA

1. HKS, Inc.

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Founded: 1939
Healthcare Design Fees (2025): $113.1 million
Global Reputation Score: Industry-Leading

Firm Overview:
HKS stands as the #1-ranked healthcare design firm in the USA (2025 Interior Design Giants ranking), with a portfolio spanning research hospitals, academic medical centers, pediatric facilities, and specialized mental health facilities. The firm's 85+ years of accumulated expertise represents one of the most comprehensive healthcare architecture practices globally.

Signature Design Philosophy:
HKS pioneered the "patient-centered design" movement in healthcare architecture. Their methodology integrates:

• Staff efficiency mapping to reduce caregiver burnout

• Patient psychology research to minimize anxiety and trauma

• Operational flow analysis to streamline clinical workflows

• Energy-efficient systems reducing long-term facility costs

Landmark Projects:

• Moody Outpatient Center at Parkland Hospital (Dallas, TX): A 750,000 sq ft facility emphasizing green design and community integration, featuring energy-efficient systems and biophilic waiting areas that reduce patient anxiety by incorporating natural light and healing gardens

• Baylor Scott & White Specialty Hospital: Specialized acute-care design integrating modular clinical spaces for rapid reconfiguration as medical needs evolve

• Methodist Dallas Medical Center Expansion: Advanced surgical suites with integrated smart technology for real-time operational monitoring

Key Strengths:

• Deepest expertise in translating clinical workflows into physical space

• Proven track record reducing post-operative infection rates through architectural infection-control innovation

• Leadership in mental health facility design, addressing trauma-informed space requirements

• Extensive portfolio in pediatric hospital design with age-appropriate therapeutic environments

Healthcare Market Focus:

• Acute-care hospital systems (48% of sector fees): Large medical centers, research hospitals, teaching institutions

• Outpatient surgery centers (12% of sector): Ambulatory care and minimally invasive surgical suites

• Mental health facilities (7% of sector): Psychiatric hospitals, behavioral health units

2. Perkins & Will

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Founded: 1935
Healthcare Design Fees (2025): $112.5 million
FF&C Value of Work Installed: $1,880.9 million
Recognition: AIA Award Winner; 2025 Most Admired Healthcare Firm

Firm Overview:
Perkins & Will represents the second-largest healthcare design practice in the USA, with particular distinction for sustainability-driven architecture and evidence-based design research. The firm's commitment to measurable healthcare outcomes places them at the forefront of the "outcome-based design" movement reshaping the industry.

Core Design Philosophy - "Healing Through Design":
Perkins & Will's evidence-based approach emphasizes:

• Biophilic design integrating nature, natural light, and outdoor access

• Staff wellness spaces reducing caregiver stress and turnover

• Modular construction enabling rapid adaptation to new clinical protocols

• Net-zero energy systems meeting sustainability targets

Notable Healthcare Projects:

University of Virginia Health System Emergency Department & In-Patient Tower (Charlottesville, VA): A cutting-edge facility featuring:

1. Full glass façades with metal fins reducing glare and energy consumption

2. Semicircular entry design symbolizing welcoming "outstretched arms" for emergency patients

3. Integrated biophilic elements with internal green spaces

4. Smart building systems monitoring air quality, occupancy, and temperature in real-time

• Sheikh Khalifa Specialist Hospital (Ras Al Khaimah, UAE): An international flagship emphasizing patient comfort and clinical efficiency with nature-integrated architectural language

• Mayo Clinic Campus Development: Large-scale medical center integrating hospitality-grade patient experiences with clinical precision

Key Strengths:

• Research-backed design methodology documenting measurable patient outcome improvements

• Leadership in sustainability; multiple LEED Platinum certifications

• Expertise in rapid-deployment flexible spaces for emerging health threats (pandemic, crisis response)

• Integration of hospitality design principles into clinical environments

Specialized Markets:

• Sustainability-focused acute-care hospitals (net-zero and carbon-neutral designs)

• Academic medical centers and research hospitals

• Large multi-campus healthcare systems

3. HDR (Henningson, Durham & Richardson)

Headquarters: Omaha, Nebraska
Founded: 1917
Healthcare Design Fees (2025): $99.4 million
FF&C Value: $1,518.8 million
Legacy: One of America's oldest architecture firms with continuous healthcare practice

Firm Overview:
HDR represents the "technology-forward" leader in hospital design, combining 107 years of healthcare expertise with cutting-edge smart building integration. The firm's collaborative, multidisciplinary approach has established it as the preferred partner for complex healthcare transformation projects.

Design Methodology - "Advanced Technology + Human-Centered Care":
HDR integrates:

• Flexible, functional spaces adaptable to evolving clinical demands

• Advanced technology infrastructure (IoT, AI-assisted wayfinding, real-time occupancy optimization)

• Collaborative design processes integrating physicians, nurses, and operational staff from project inception

• International best practices from global healthcare systems

Signature Projects:

• Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: A 5-star hospitality-level medical center combining luxury patient experience with advanced clinical capabilities, serving as model for high-touch healthcare design

• Midwest Regional Medical Centers: Multiple acute-care hospitals featuring modular operating suites allowing reconfiguration within 24-48 hours as clinical protocols change

• Telehealth Integration Centers: Pioneer work integrating virtual care infrastructure into physical hospital design

Key Differentiators:

• Proprietary "Hospital of the Future" research informing design standards globally

Specialized expertise in complex clinical workflow optimization

• Leadership in touchless/hygienic design post-pandemic

• Strong track record delivering projects on-time and within budget despite complexity

Primary Market Segments:

• Large regional and academic medical centers

• International healthcare expansion projects

• Technology-integrated acute-care facilities

4. CannonDesign

Headquarters: Buffalo, New York
Founded: 1989
Healthcare Design Fees (2025): $95.0 million
Global Presence: 15+ offices across North America and Europe

Firm Overview:
CannonDesign has emerged as a leader in patient-experience-driven hospital design, where aesthetic beauty and functional efficiency achieve perfect balance. The firm's philosophy centers on the belief that exceptional design directly enhances healing outcomes and staff productivity.

Design Principle - "Beauty Meets Function":
CannonDesign's approach emphasizes:

• Patient-centered layouts minimizing navigation confusion and anxiety

• Staff efficiency spaces reducing unnecessary walking distances

• Therapeutic aesthetics using color, material, and spatial proportion to promote healing

• Flexibility enabling layout modifications as clinical needs evolve

Landmark Healthcare Projects:

Cancer Center at University of Chicago Medical Center: A specialized oncology facility embodying cancer-specific design considerations:

1. Separate, peaceful infusion therapy spaces promoting dignity during chemotherapy

2. Private consultation rooms for difficult conversations about treatment

3. Healing gardens and meditation spaces for psychological support

4. Wayfinding designs accommodating patients with impaired cognition

• Multiple Regional Cancer Centers: Specialized design expertise in oncology patient experience and staff support spaces

• Academic Medical Center Renovations: Deep expertise in retrofitting existing hospitals to modern standards while maintaining operations

Key Strengths:

• Unmatched expertise in cancer center and specialty hospital design

• Leadership in patient psychology research informing spatial design

• Proprietary patient-centered design methodology

• Strong track record in complex renovation projects within operating hospitals

Market Leadership:

• Specialty and focused medical centers (oncology, cardiac, rehabilitation)

• Cancer treatment and research facilities

• Large hospital system renovations and expansions

5. SmithGroup

Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan
Founded: 1853 (oldest continuous healthcare architecture practice in USA)
Healthcare Design Fees (2025): $52.9 million
Historical Significance: 170+ years of healthcare architecture experience

Firm Overview:
SmithGroup represents American healthcare architecture's historical continuity and evolution, having designed hospitals across every era of modern medicine. This extraordinary 170-year legacy provides unmatched perspective on long-term facility performance and evolving clinical needs.

Core Philosophy - "Sustainable, Resilient, Patient-Focused Design":
SmithGroup's approach integrates:

• Resilience thinking for future-proofing facilities against emerging health crises

• Sustainability as core design language, not add-on

• Long-term perspective informed by multi-generational facility performance observation

• Integration of healing spaces within clinical rigor

Signature Projects:

• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Center for Advanced Care (Chicago, IL): A transformative project featuring:

1. Innovative clinical spaces embedded within urban topography

2. Sustainable systems reducing carbon footprint by 35%

3. Integrated healing spaces respecting patient dignity

4. Flexible infrastructure supporting emerging treatment modalities

• University Health System Cardiac Centers: Multiple facilities advancing cardiac care delivery environments

• Research Hospital Campus Developments: Academic medical center master planning and specialized research facilities

Key Differentiators:

• Unparalleled historical perspective on facility longevity and performance

• Leadership in resilient design withstanding future crises and pandemics

• Expertise in integrating modern clinical needs into historic hospital structures

• Strong commitment to equity and accessibility in healthcare design

Core Markets:

• Academic research hospitals and medical centers

• Resilience-focused facility planning

• Large healthcare system campus master planning

6. NBBJ (Naramore, Bain, Brady & Johanson)

Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Founded: 1943
Healthcare Design Focus: Evidence-based design with integrated technology
Recognition: Multiple AIA and Healthcare Design Awards

Firm Overview:
NBBJ has established itself as a leader in evidence-based design research, with particular distinction for integrating well-being science into healthcare architecture. The firm's collaborative methodology ensures that architects, clinicians, and operational staff work in tandem from project inception.

Design Methodology - "Evidence-Based Healing Environments":
NBBJ's approach centers on:

• Research partnerships with medical schools documenting design impact on patient outcomes

• Integration of healthcare provider perspectives throughout design process

• Biophilic design principles backed by neuroscience research

• Future-responsive flexible spaces

Landmark Healthcare Projects:

• UCSF Connie Frank Transplant Center Renovation: A specialized facility advancing transplant medicine delivery within healing environment:

1. Dedicated family spaces accommodating organ donation decision-making

2. Transparent clinical spaces building patient trust

3. Integration of nature through views and biophilic materials

4. Real-time patient monitoring enabled through transparent design

• Regional Healthcare Systems: Multiple acute-care hospitals emphasizing clinician input in design process

• Wellness and Prevention Centers: Pioneering work in wellness facility design

Key Strengths:

• Deep partnerships with medical schools and research institutions

• Proprietary evidence-based design research methodology

• Leadership in clinician-integrated design process

• Expertise in specialized, high-acuity facility design

Market Specialization:

• Academic medical centers with research partnerships

• Specialized treatment centers (transplant, critical care)

• Technology-integrated healthcare facilities

7. Perkins Eastman

Headquarters: New York City, New York
Founded: 1981
Healthcare Design Fees (2025): $40.2 million
FF&C Value: $924.6 million
Focus: Integrated multidisciplinary design for healthcare systems

Firm Overview:
Perkins Eastman operates as a multi-disciplinary design powerhouse, integrating healthcare architecture with interior design, master planning, and urban design expertise. This unique position enables seamless coordination across complex healthcare development projects.

Design Philosophy - "Integrated Healthcare Communities":
Perkins Eastman's approach emphasizes:

• Master planning for healthcare campuses and integrated communities

• Interior design excellence complementing architectural vision

• Flexible layouts supporting mixed-use healthcare communities

• Integration of housing, retail, and wellness facilities within healthcare developments

Representative Healthcare Projects:

• Health & Wellness Campus Developments: Large mixed-use projects integrating acute-care hospitals with medical offices, residential, and community facilities

• Senior Living Communities with Integrated Care: Innovative projects combining independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing within unified architectural language

• Academic Medical Center Renovations: Complex projects integrating existing structures with modern clinical requirements

Key Differentiators:

• Unique expertise in integrated healthcare campus planning

• Strong interior design capabilities enhancing patient and staff experience

• Leadership in mixed-use healthcare developments

• Expertise in repurposing existing buildings for evolving healthcare needs

Market Focus:

• Large healthcare system master planning and development

• Integrated healthcare communities and campuses

• Senior living and continuing care communities with medical services

8. E4H (Environments for Health) Architecture

Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas
Founded: 1985
Healthcare Design Fees (2025): $38.9 million
Specialization: Patient-centered design with behavioral health expertise

Firm Overview:
E4H has carved out a distinctive niche as the leading specialist in behavioral health and mental wellness architecture. The firm's deep understanding of psychiatric and psychological design requirements positions it as the preferred partner for mental health facility development.

Core Philosophy - "Therapeutic Environments for Healing":
E4H's design approach centers on:

• Trauma-informed design principles supporting recovery

• Therapeutic landscaping and nature integration

• Security-conscious design that doesn't feel institutional

• Staff wellness spaces reducing compassion fatigue

• Flexible spaces supporting diverse behavioral health programs

Signature Projects:

• Regional Psychiatric Hospital Networks: Multiple inpatient psychiatric facilities featuring:

1. Secure designs that feel healing, not carceral

2. Therapeutic outdoor spaces supporting recovery

3. Private patient rooms reducing anxiety

4. Staff support spaces addressing secondary trauma

• Substance Abuse Treatment Centers: Specialized facilities for addiction recovery with residential and outpatient components

• Integrated Behavioral Health Units: Hospital-based psychiatric units seamlessly integrated with medical hospitals

Key Strengths:

• Unmatched expertise in trauma-informed design principles

• Leadership in behavioral health facility design across all levels of care

• Understanding of security requirements within therapeutic frameworks

• Strong track record improving patient outcomes through environmental design

Market Specialization:

• Psychiatric and behavioral health facilities

• Substance abuse treatment centers

• Integrated behavioral health units within medical hospitals

• Mental health facilities serving vulnerable populations

9. Gensler

Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Founded: 1965
Healthcare Design Fees (2025): $37.4 million
Global Practice: 50+ offices worldwide

Firm Overview:
Gensler brings cross-disciplinary innovation to healthcare design, leveraging expertise from corporate, hospitality, and technology sectors to reimagine hospital environments. The firm's global perspective and design research capabilities position it as a leader in future-forward healthcare facility design.

Design Methodology - "Human-Centered Healthcare Innovation":
Gensler's approach integrates:

• Hospitality design principles elevating patient experience

• Technology-forward integration of smart systems and digital wayfinding

• Flexible, adaptable spaces supporting clinical evolution

• Staff wellness integration informed by corporate workplace design expertise

• Sustainable systems and responsible design practices

Representative Healthcare Projects:

• Medical Technology Innovation Centers: Facilities bridging research, education, and clinical practice

• Ambulatory Surgery Centers: Small-format acute care facilities optimizing efficiency and patient experience

• Healthcare System Headquarters & Administration Facilities: Forward-thinking office and operational spaces for healthcare organizations

• Digital Health Integration Projects: Facilities designed from inception for telehealth and virtual care integration

Key Differentiators:

• Unique expertise integrating hospitality design into healthcare settings

• Leadership in digital health and technology infrastructure planning

• Global perspective on emerging healthcare trends

• Strong capabilities in innovation and research facility design

Market Focus:

• Ambulatory surgery centers and urgent care facilities

• Healthcare technology and innovation centers

• Healthcare system headquarters and administration facilities

• Digital health-integrated medical facilities

10. Page

Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Founded: 1946
Healthcare Design Fees (2025): $37.3 million
FF&C Value: $2,328.0 million
Specialization: Large-scale acute-care hospital design and campus planning

Firm Overview:
Page stands as a premier large-hospital specialist, with particular distinction for designing complex academic medical centers and large regional hospitals. The firm's deep bench of clinical expertise and engineering acumen enables it to manage the most intricate healthcare facility projects.

Core Philosophy - "Clinical Excellence Through Design":
Page's methodology emphasizes:

• Rigorous clinical workflow analysis informing spatial organization

• Large-scale complex project delivery expertise

• Integration of advanced medical technologies into physical infrastructure

• Sustainable healthcare facility design at scale

• Workforce planning and staff wellness integration

Landmark Projects:

• Regional Academic Medical Centers: Multiple large teaching hospitals featuring:

1. Integrated research, education, and clinical spaces

2. Advanced operating room complexes with real-time data integration

3. Flexible inpatient units supporting evolving care models

4. Sustainable systems managing operational efficiency

• Emergency Department Transformations: Large-scale emergency department redesigns improving patient flow and staff efficiency

• Multi-Building Healthcare Campuses: Complex master planning coordinating multiple specialized facilities

Key Strengths:

• Unmatched expertise managing large, complex healthcare facility projects

• Deep integration of clinical workflow optimization

• Leadership in sustainable large-scale healthcare design

• Strong track record delivering projects with high staff and patient satisfaction

Market Leadership:

• Large academic medical centers and research hospitals

• Regional hospital systems and networks

• Complex multi-building healthcare campuses

• Healthcare facility master planning for major systems

Emerging Healthcare Design Trends Shaping 2025 and Beyond

Understanding the design trends these leading firms are implementing provides insight into where hospital design is heading:

1. Smart Hospital Technology Integration

Leading firms are embedding IoT systems, AI-assisted wayfinding, touchless environments, and real-time data monitoring throughout facilities. HDR and Gensler lead this innovation, designing infrastructure supporting future technology integration without requiring complete infrastructure replacement.

2. Modular & Prefabricated Construction

Responding to the post-pandemic urgency for rapid facility expansion, firms like Perkins & Will and Page are pioneering modular construction approaches reducing project timelines by up to 50% while maintaining quality standards.

3. Biophilic Design as Clinical Standard

Nature integration has evolved from aesthetic enhancement to evidence-based clinical intervention. Natural light, healing gardens, and biophilic materials are now standard in leading healthcare designs, proven to reduce patient anxiety and accelerate healing.

4. Trauma-Informed Design Framework

E4H and other leading firms integrate trauma-informed design principles across all facility types, recognizing that environmental design either supports or hinders patient psychological recovery. This represents a fundamental shift in healthcare design philosophy.

5. Net-Zero & Sustainability Integration

Sustainability is no longer optional. Leading firms design net-zero energy hospitals, renewable energy systems, and low-carbon construction methods. Perkins & Will's multiple LEED Platinum certifications exemplify this commitment.

6. Staff Wellness as Design Priority

Recognizing the healthcare workforce crisis, leading firms now design dedicated staff wellness spaces, rest areas, mental health support facilities, and ergonomic staff workstations. This reflects data showing that staff well-being directly impacts patient care quality.

7. Infection Control Through Architecture

Post-pandemic experience has elevated architectural infection control to strategic importance. Designs now emphasize touchless environments, enhanced ventilation systems, and material selection supporting rigorous hygiene protocols.

8. Outcome-Based Design

Moving beyond aesthetics, leading firms now measure design impact on clinical outcomes—infection rates, patient satisfaction, staff retention, and healing timelines. This data-driven approach justifies design investments and guides future innovation.

Hospital Design Project Categories by Investment (2025)

Healthcare architecture firms allocate significant resources across diverse facility types, with distinct design requirements for each:

Comprehensive Hospital Design Evaluation Framework

When selecting a hospital design partner, healthcare leaders should evaluate firms across these critical dimensions:

Clinical Expertise & Research Integration

• Does the firm have embedded clinical leadership and ongoing research partnerships?

• Can they demonstrate evidence-based design methodology with documented outcome improvements?

• Do they have specialized expertise in your facility type (acute-care, specialty, behavioral health)?

Project Delivery Capability

• What is their track record delivering complex projects on schedule and within budget?

• Do they have experience managing projects while facilities remain operational?

• What is their approach to stakeholder management across diverse clinical departments?

Sustainability Commitment

• Are net-zero and LEED certifications standard practice for their healthcare work?

• How do they integrate renewable energy, efficient systems, and sustainable materials?

• Can they document long-term operational cost savings from sustainable design?

Technology Integration

• What is their expertise in smart building systems, IoT integration, and digital infrastructure?

• Can they design for future technology integration without constant infrastructure overhaul?

• How do they approach cybersecurity in technology-forward healthcare design?

Staff & Patient Experience

• How do they integrate staff wellness into physical design?

• What is their approach to reducing patient anxiety through environmental design?

• Can they demonstrate improvements in patient satisfaction metrics?

Financial Acumen

• Do they understand value-based design optimizing ROI over facility lifecycle?

• Can they help optimize capital expenditure through smart design decisions?

• How do they approach total cost of ownership rather than just construction cost?

Project References & Portfolio

• Request detailed references from comparable recent projects

• Visit completed facilities to assess design longevity and performance

• Evaluate whether design has aged well and continues supporting clinical operations

Frequently Asked Questions About Hospital Design in the USA

1. How Long Does a Hospital Design Project Typically Take?

Large acute-care hospital design and construction typically spans 4-7 years: 12-18 months for schematic design and planning, 12-18 months for detailed design and approvals, and 24-36 months for construction. Modular construction approaches can reduce timelines by 30-50%. Renovation projects within operating hospitals often take 6-12 months longer due to operational constraints.

2. What Certifications and Compliance Standards Must Hospital Design Meet?

Hospital designs must comply with The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities, Joint Commission accreditation standards, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements, local building codes, and environmental regulations. Additionally, designs often pursue LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and WELL Building Standard certification emphasizing occupant health and wellness. Healthcare-specific certifications like FGI (Facility Guidelines Institute) compliance ensure evidence-based design standards.

3. What Is the Average Construction Cost for Modern Hospital Facilities?

Large acute-care hospital construction costs range from $800,000 to $1.5 million per inpatient bed, depending on acuity level, geographic location, and specialized services. A 300-bed teaching hospital typically costs $300-450 million. Outpatient surgery centers average $2,000-3,000 per square foot. Behavioral health facilities range from $150,000-300,000 per bed. Costs vary significantly based on location (urban facilities cost more), specialization (trauma centers require additional investment), and sustainability goals.

4. How Do Leading Firms Address Post-Pandemic Design Requirements?

Post-pandemic design innovations include enhanced ventilation systems with HEPA filtration, touchless environments eliminating manual contact points, negative-pressure isolation rooms for infectious patients, distributed clinical spaces reducing crowding, telemedicine infrastructure enabling virtual care, and modular construction allowing rapid reconfiguration. Biophilic design and outdoor spaces became priorities for staff mental health. Real-time occupancy monitoring helps manage crowding. These design features now represent standard practice rather than optional enhancements.

5. What Is the ROI Timeline for Hospital Design Investments?

Design investments generating patient experience improvements typically show ROI within 2-5 years through increased patient volume and positive reputation. Sustainability investments show 15-20 year payback through reduced operating costs. Efficiency improvements reducing staff walking distances save approximately $50,000-100,000 annually per 100 beds through labor cost reduction. Technology investments enabling telemedicine expand market reach by 50-100%. Long-term financial analysis demonstrates that superior hospital design generates 10-20% ROI over facility lifecycle.

6. How Are Leading Firms Incorporating AI and Advanced Technology into Hospital Design?

Leading firms like HDR and Gensler now design for AI-assisted wayfinding, real-time occupancy optimization, predictive maintenance systems, and intelligent environmental controls. Infrastructure planning includes bandwidth capacity for advanced monitoring systems, integrated data networks, and cybersecurity frameworks. Many firms are designing "technology-agnostic" spaces capable of accepting future innovations without architectural modifications. Digital twins of completed facilities enable ongoing optimization and support virtual training. AI-powered scheduling optimizes operating room utilization and staffing efficiency.

Conclusion: The Strategic Importance of Hospital Design Excellence in 2025

Hospital design has evolved from aesthetic consideration to strategic competitive advantage. In an era of patient consumerism, workforce challenges, and sustainability imperatives, the quality of your facility design directly impacts clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, staff retention, and organizational reputation.

The 10 firms profiled in this guide represent the cutting edge of hospital design innovation, each bringing distinctive expertise to healthcare facility challenges. Whether your priority is patient-centered experience (CannonDesign), evidence-based outcomes (NBBJ), sustainability leadership (Perkins & Will), technology integration (HDR), or behavioral health specialization (E4H), world-class design partnerships exist to support your strategic objectives.

The data is clear: healthcare organizations investing in superior facility design achieve measurable returns through improved patient satisfaction, reduced infection rates, enhanced staff retention, and long-term operational savings. As hospital design continues evolving—incorporating smart technology, biophilic principles, modular construction, and trauma-informed frameworks—partnering with design leaders who understand both innovative possibility and clinical reality becomes essential.

Your hospital design investment is a multi-decade commitment shaping how medicine is delivered, how staff experience their work, and how patients experience healing. Choose your partner with the strategic rigor this decision deserves.