Phoenix: Healthcare Design Conference 2018

Each year the Healthcare Design Conference takes place in a different city, and I was thrilled when I found out it would be in Phoenix this year. It was great getting to revisit Arizona as the architecture and landscape are far different than that of Charlotte, plus I enjoy its mellow vibe. The purpose of this trip was to gain exposure to a niche of design that doesn't seem to get a lot of attention. I had never given any thought to working in commercial design before going back to college due to my lack of knowledge regarding this niche. It's not that I have never had a desire to be a commercial interior design, of which healthcare design falls under, it's just that residential design is more mainstream in many ways allowing me to be aware of it. I'm now interested in both and hope to work on both residential and commercial projects upon graduating.

There's a lot to see and do at this conference. Highlights of Healthcare Design Expo and Conference Include: Industry insights and best practices Sustainable design and green building trends Building and construction challenges and opportunities Inspiration for planning and design Cutting-edge, new innovative products. My biggest take away for me was the Transition Planning hosted by Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design, as they covered a range of topics including the details on improving hospital designs I was impressed with the knowledge the architects and designers had regarding the daily workflow of a hospital. I was also impressed with their core message, which is centered around the importance of the patient's experience. I definitely recommend checking out this conference, or at least the city of Phoenix!

The city has some great spots to check out for architect and design enthusiasts alike. Below you'll find some great places to check out in Phoenix!

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Sancturary Camelback Mountain Resort

(All photos taken by me)

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain. Definitely a place worth checking out as the panoramic views are stunning, and the design of the resort contrasts beautifully with the desert landscape. The updated resort evokes a warm, welcoming and unpretentious welcoming to guests. One feature that helps connect this resort with nature is the bell sculpture on site designed by late Paolo Soleri, a once apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright and creator of Arcosanti. This is indeed a site you don't want to miss.

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The Arizona Biltmore

Most of us are familiar with the Vanderbilt home perched in the Pisgah National Forest, the Biltmore. Though this resort bares the same name as the Vanderbilt estate, that is the only thing they have in common. The Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, has been an Arizona landmark since its opening on February 23rd, 1929 and is often referred to as the Desert Jewel. It was designed by Albert Chase McArthur, a Harvard graduate, who had studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright had been brought in as a consulting architect for a brief period. I find this hotel very inspiring given the stunning art deco design and use of indigenous materials, the latter being a prominent feature in Wrights work.

Pre-cast concrete blocks were designed by McArthur and molded on-site, and much like the Frank Lloyd Wright designs that always included some sort of geometric pattern incorporated a project, these blocks feature a pattern of there own. Typical of Wrights famous style is the balcony and geometric massing of the lobby. Other prominent features include a gold-leaf ceiling and a roof made of copper. Make sure to catch a tour of this lovely property to learn all about its history.

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Taliesin West

Words alone can not express the beauty of this home. While it has its imperfections and isn't everyone's cup of tea, there's a lot to appreciate here. Frank Lloyd Wright said it best when he noted Taliesin West would be "a look over the rim of the world" due to its unique position on the mountain. It's situated in such a way that you can't see it in all its glory once you've reached the doorstep. This home served as Wrights laboratory for 20 years of his life. The house now serves as a school for those seeking a graduate degree in architecture and tours are offered regularly. It's definitely worth the trip out.

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Arcosanti

Is this the inspiration for Star Wars? At the end of a quiet, washboarded dirt road off I-17 halfway between Flagstaff and Phoenix, you will find the complex destination known as Arcosanti. The complex has been under construction now for nearly 45 years, and while its singular and visionary architect sadly passed away in 2012, the complex continues to be built according to his noble and lofty concept of “arcology”—a portmanteau of architecture and ecology—in which structures and their users have a symbiotic relationship with surrounding nature. All of this is explained in a 15-ish minute video first shown to guests upon their arrival. I have few words for this fascinating place, so I'll let the photos do the talking. This is indeed worth checking out, and if you're into EDM it's worth noting they seem to hold some music festivals here, though who knows how often. Coachella what, who?