Category: Blog

Outdated healthcare buildings can hold even the most advanced practices back. Aging infrastructure often lacks the spatial flow, efficiency, and integrated technology required for today’s patient-centered and regulatory-compliant environments. From outdated air handling systems to inefficient lighting and data networks, modernizing these facilities requires more than renovation—it calls for strategic reinvention. Discover how a thoughtful approach to planning, materials, and systems can transform aging spaces into modern centers of care that meet the needs of patients and providers alike.

At Oceanview Building Group, we make this transformation seamless. Our team brings decades of expertise in dental, medical, and healthcare construction, understanding the intricate requirements that define modern clinical design—from OSHA compliance and airflow standards to technology integration and patient comfort. Every project is approached with precision, communication, and efficiency—so your facility not only looks exceptional but functions flawlessly.

Sustainable practices are at the forefront of redefining the healthcare ecosystem today and play a significant role in promoting well-being, according to various reports. The market for global green hospitals was valued at US$41.68 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5 per cent to reach US$106.93 billion by the end of 2030, clearly indicating sustainability’s impact on healthcare.

One of the most effective approaches to accelerating sustainable practices and development is adaptive reuse, as it facilitates extending a building’s life while encouraging the reuse of embodied energy. Adaptive reuse, the process of converting old or underutilised buildings for new purposes, provides a unique opportunity to improve healthcare accessibility by transforming urban structures into hospitals. This approach also allows healthcare organisations to save costs as the infrastructure and enclosure of the building are already in place. Overall, adaptive reuse also reduces environmental impact while still providing modern, functional spaces for medical care.

When applied in healthcare, it can also help in “repurposing existing structures to meet evolving requirements,” explained Ravideep Singh, Associate Director, Creative Designer Architects (CDA), an interdisciplinary architectural practice that specialises in healthcare, commercial, and retail projects.

Adaptive reuse can also effectively address changing healthcare needs and optimise infrastructure when applied to healthcare facilities. In urban areas where land is scarce and expensive, repurposing existing infrastructure offers an environment-friendly solution to meet the growing demand for healthcare facilities.

Addressing gaps in healthcare infrastructure

The growing need for hospitals and care facilities has highlighted significant gaps in urban healthcare infrastructure. For instance, in India’s densely populated urban hub of the National Capital Region, which has an exorbitant population density of close to 25,000 people per square kilometres, there were reportedly no quality healthcare facilities in close vicinity, requiring people to travel to Noida or the capital New Delhi in search of quality clinical care, until last year. To combat this challenge, Sarvodaya Hospital and the Fortis Hospital in Greater Noida applied adaptive reuse to address these gaps in healthcare infrastructure by revitalising defunct spaces to create transformative facilities that positively shape the lives of individuals and communities.

Adaptive reuse cements environmental conservation in healthcare

Healthcare infrastructure globally is under immense pressure due to the growing demand for quality healthcare services. The pandemic also brought forth the functional inadequacies of healthcare infrastructure. It imposed an urgency to ramp up and build high-quality infrastructure swiftly.

Moreover, over the past few decades, the burden on healthcare systems has begun to pile up as the population continues to soar. “We have also witnessed rapid urbanisation and the emergence of new construction materials and technologies. While green buildings and energy-efficient technologies promise to reduce carbon footprints and create a healthier built environment, we are beginning to see the irony of what building so-called ‘sustainable’ infrastructure entails. Building new infrastructures, although they may be a ‘sustainable project,’ requires manufacturing of new resources, taking away from it being a sustainable practice,” commented Singh.

Adaptive reuse has proven to be a game-changer here, as reusing infrastructure reduces the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing new building materials. Hence, healthcare facilities can contribute significantly to environmental conservation by adapting and enhancing existing buildings.

Challenges while embarking on adaptive reuse projects

Mechanical services and their specific height requirements are one of the many challenges in brownfield projects. But, for instance, implementing ducted cassette units can be a space-efficient alternative to optimise height and enhance the overall spatial experience within the hospital. This approach is a cost-effective and sustainable way to help cut down on construction time and build community-centric healthcare facilities that improve access to quality care and promote well-being.

However, it is important to remember that from a medical planning perspective, existing structures can present limitations in terms of connectivity and seamless planning. It can be challenging to segregate departments and optimise operational efficiency. Therefore, when an existing building is being converted into a healthcare facility, architects need to plan by considering specific healthcare services, equipment, technology, and medical workflows. Overcoming these challenges requires a collaborative approach involving architects, medical professionals, and regulatory bodies.

In the case study of Sarvodaya Hospital, the original structure was designed as a commercial mixed-use facility, with busy stores on the lower floors and unoccupied office spaces on the higher floors. One of the challenges was to construct a highly efficient hospital inside the confines of an already operational business centre. The tight and diverse blocks posed roadblocks in terms of medical department connectivity. To address this issue, these blocks were linked by eight-foot-wide corridors added at various points to allow for seamless transitions and movements for patients, doctors, and staff.

Impact on patient care

Well-designed spaces can create a sense of comfort, privacy, and familiarity for patients, positively impacting patient care and staff well-being. Repurposed healthcare facilities often feature larger windows, improved lighting, and better ventilation. For staff, functional layouts can enhance efficiency, reducing stress and fatigue. The overall result of prioritising acoustics, natural light, and green spaces builds a healing environment.

Get the latest insights from the healthcare industry straight to your inbox. Subscribe for a bi-weekly roundup of the latest healthcare tech, trends, innovation and patient experience, accompanied by exclusive interviews from the industry’s leaders.

Whether you’re modernizing a dental practice, building a new surgery center, or reimagining your healthcare facility for the next generation of care, Oceanview Building Group ensures every detail aligns with your goals, your budget, and your timeline.

📞 Call 954.980.5308 or ✉️ Info@OceanviewBuildingGroup.com to schedule a consultation today.
Follow our work and see the difference craftsmanship and expertise make on Instagram @oceanview_building_group.

---

Reference: [www.worldhealthexpo.com/insights/healthcare-management/transform-outdated-structures-into-modern-care-facilities]

Hospitals today are no longer just places for treatment—they’re centers of healing where design directly shapes outcomes. A well-designed facility can reduce patient stress, improve recovery times, and enhance staff efficiency, all while keeping costs under control. And while these principles are most visible in hospital settings, clinics and medical practices can apply them as well, learning how thoughtful design choices improve the experience for both patients and providers.

From maximizing natural light to integrating flexible layouts and advanced technology, modern healthcare design is built on principles that serve patients, providers, and administrators alike. Safety, accessibility, and comfort are equally critical—whether you’re designing a large hospital, a local clinic, or a private practice. These design decisions have a lasting impact on patient satisfaction, staff morale, and the long-term sustainability of the facility. At Oceanview Building Group, we know how to translate these principles into real-world solutions for projects of every size.

In an environment where failure to plan is planning to fail, time and time again I have witnessed the devastating effects poor planning can have on the design and construction of healthcare facilities in both developed and developing markets. Despite the best intentions of providing healthcare to a growing market, the importance of infection control, staff efficiency, hospital workflow, as well as patient safety and comfort are often overlooked. 

This seems to occur more frequently when the project is not championed by an experienced healthcare design team, or when the structure is not built to the specific needs of a healthcare facility or healthcare market. Another major issue appears when the wrong stakeholders are asked to advise. People just don’t know what they don’t know. Most hospital CEO’s will experience one major construction project in their career. By contrast, healthcare planning and design firms will build five to 10 a year.

During a recent customer site visit, I was asked to walk through a shell and core building that I quickly realised was never intended to be a hospital. Just by looking at the architectural drawings, I discovered some clear giveaways: a small actual footprint, central core elevators and multiple stories. This building was a hotel. This kind of design makes it difficult to separate inpatient and outpatient flow due to the limited availability of vertical movement options. 

This footprint also impedes department adjacencies or the need to house some departments on a single floor, like radiology and surgical floors. Not every building can be turned into a hospital; a medical facility is a purpose-built structure.

Five Key Principles for hospital design and technology planning:

In my 34 years in international healthcare, I have had many similar experiences, which have led me to adopt five guiding principles when advising clients in their hospital design and technology planning.

1. Equipment dictates design, design does not dictate equipment

Advisers sometimes forego critical equipment simply because they will not fit within a design or in a shell and core structure repurposed as a healthcare facility. Large, heavy pieces of equipment like MRIs for example, need to be positioned on an outside wall in the structure to plan for delivery and possible replacement. I’ve seen this dozens of times at the cost of several thousands of dollars in reconstruction.

2. Design today for tomorrow’s expansion

I particularly see a lack in vision in renovations of projects that have been constructed within the last five years, which addressed only current problems and were therefore time-locked. Most communities don’t shrink in population and a good healthcare facility will grow a community around it. 

The healthcare facility must not only address today’s issues but have vision toward future challenges. In this case, growth in number of beds, additional departments and the changing structure of population and healthcare needs should be considered during the planning phase of the facility. A good healthcare facility will last about 30 years or more.

3. Core is key

I start every design review around four key departments. Emergency Department, Radiology Department, Operating Theatres, and intensive care units. 

My thought process is that each of these departments feed patients to each other so having them in close proximity can reduce patient travel and the need for duplicate equipment. During my imaginary travels from department to department I always keep in mind what I call PDR: privacy, dignity and respect of the patient. PDR can be as simple as providing curtains, walls or doors between patients; not parking inpatients’ stretchers on corridors or public waiting! There needs to be an understanding that many patients can’t choose for themselves, so you will be making choices for them. These considerations will aid in planning the movement of patients from department to department, so they don’t cross with general hospital population.

4. Solve problems with pen and ink instead of sledge hammers

Talking through, walking through, mock ups, and 3-D renderings are all methods of identifying issues before they become real construction problems. It is important to remember that you will pay for a mistake three times; once to build it, once to tear it down and once to rebuild it. 

Moving into construction without an adequate review process, will increase the likelihood of change orders/variations further down the line. On many projects I’ve reviewed, in the rush to construction, simple mistakes that could have been avoided resulted in tens of thousands of dollars of costly corrections. An example of that is an MR landlocked in the centre of the building and walls that had to be torn down for installation.

5. Design with caregivers in mind

I apply a rule that a caregiver should never move more than 25m in any direction to obtain the supplies needed to do their job. This is accomplished by locating support rooms to adequately supply the staff. During review of plan elevations, it is important to remember simple rules; like a caregiver should never move their feet with sharps or needles in their hand. Accordingly, locating sharp disposal boxes at the site of injections is a simple measure that has great impact. Another easy fix is to mount patient monitors on articulating arms, which can be adjusted to the height of the caregiver. A nurse’s time should be spent with the patient, not chasing down supplies; so, by simply by locating support rooms within those 25m of where the care occurs can drastically reduce the amount of time a caregiver spends traveling the hallways. I believe strongly that taking care of your caregivers is a great consideration in planning and is accomplished without costly measures.

Optimised Workflows

To address some of these key guiding principles, I developed a detailed Design Review Methodology in the past years. At the heart of this methodology is the need to retain an experienced hospital technology planning team and senior technology planner. 

The overall goal of an experienced Hospital Technology Planning team is to assist in the establishment of international standards in hospital design that support patient safety, infection control and optimised workflows based on room and department placements and functional adjacencies. 

A senior technology planner can provide quick desktop reviews of designs, in depth design reviews and BOQs, in addition to supporting the Client Design Team with the application of best practices in hospital development during the design phase. In addition, the senior technology planner will support the creation of a project plan for technology installation, pre-installation and commissioning needs with their main focus being the hospital as a whole and all equipment from an agnostic point of view.

Out of the hundreds of hospitals I have had the opportunity to work on over the past 30 plus years, I would estimate one third run into trouble; and by having a hospital technology planner at the centre of the discussions you could reduce this number significantly.

Medical facilities are some of the most technically complex building projects in the world and obtaining the right advice is key; and should be applied as early as possible to avoid costly mistakes and making the project a long-lasting success.

Modern healthcare design requires expertise, precision, and a vision for the future. As one of Florida’s most trusted builders, Oceanview Building Group combines technical excellence with thoughtful planning to help hospitals, clinics, and medical practices achieve their goals. Call us today at 954.980.5308 to discuss your next project, and join our community on Instagram for more insights and inspiration.

---

Reference: [https://www.worldhealthexpo.com/insights/healthcare-management/the-guiding-principles-of-hospital-design-and-planning]

In a world where first impressions matter more than ever, design is no longer just about aesthetics—it’s about intention, strategy, and long-term value. Whether you’re developing a personal residence, a flagship medical office, or a high-traffic commercial space, your project’s success hinges on who builds it.

At Oceanview Building Group, we don’t just build—we bring design visions to life with precision, creativity, and craftsmanship. We know that good design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes a forward-thinking builder who understands how to turn big ideas into functional, beautiful, and enduring spaces. From the very first sketches to the final walkthrough, we are the force behind the walls, the systems, the finishes—and the experience your space delivers.

Led by CEO and visionary Anderson Dos Santos, Oceanview Building Group has become a trusted name in high-performance medical, dental, and luxury commercial builds across Florida. “We believe design is more than a layer on top—it’s built from the inside out,” says Dos Santos. “Our role as builders is to translate ambition into structure. That’s what we do best.”

Oceanview’s reputation is especially strong in the healthcare sector, where design and construction must be approached with exacting standards, high regulatory compliance, and sensitivity to patient and practitioner experience. From stunning cosmetic dental offices to state-of-the-art surgical centers, their team has mastered how to build elegant, efficient spaces that function flawlessly and elevate brand image.

At Oceanview Building Group, we bring visionary dental and healthcare spaces to life—on time, on budget, and beyond expectations. From dental offices to luxury clinics, every detail is designed to elevate the experience for patients, clients, and teams alike.

With a meticulous project management system, deep vendor relationships, and a commitment to quality that goes far beyond the finish line, Oceanview Building Group ensures that every build—regardless of scale—gets white-glove treatment. Their process is collaborative, communicative, and fully transparent, making them the partner of choice for entrepreneurs, investors, and design-forward professionals.

If you’re serious about building with purpose, choose the builder that understands design is the foundation of growth and success. 📞 Call Oceanview Building Group at 954.980.5308 or connect with us on Instagram to explore our work and see what sets us apart. Whether it’s your next business venture or a personal dream project, we’re here to build it—beautifully.

Constructing hospitals and medical centers requires meticulous planning, strict compliance with regulations, and the implementation of best practices to ensure safety, efficiency, and comfort for both patients and healthcare professionals.
In this article, we highlight the key aspects to consider when building high-quality healthcare facilities.

1. Planning and Architectural Design

Proper planning is essential for a hospital or clinic to operate efficiently.

• Feasibility Study: Evaluate location, population demand, and existing infrastructure.
• Efficient Flow: Strategically organize departments to avoid cross-traffic between patients, staff, and contaminated materials.
• Accessibility: Include ramps, elevators, adapted restrooms, and wide corridors for individuals with reduced mobility.

Tip: Good planning helps reduce future renovation and adaptation costs.

2. Compliance with Technical and Sanitary Regulations

In Florida, healthcare construction compliance is a multifaceted process governed by a combination of federal, state, and local regulations. These standards ensure healthcare environments are safe, functional, and capable of delivering high-quality care. As the state’s population continues to grow and age, compliance becomes increasingly critical to the development and modernization of medical facilities.

Key Regulatory Bodies and Standards:

• Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA): AHCA’s Office of Plans and Construction is responsible for reviewing and approving architectural and engineering plans before construction begins, ensuring facilities comply with all applicable codes and healthcare standards.
• Florida Building Code (FBC): Outlines specific requirements for healthcare facilities, including structural safety, accessibility, and fire protection measures.
• NFPA 101 Life Safety Code: Developed by the National Fire Protection Association, this code covers fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire exits, and construction materials to manage and mitigate fire risks.
• Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) Guidelines: Evidence-based standards for the planning and construction of various healthcare environments, from patient rooms and surgical suites to diagnostic imaging areas.

Compliance Considerations:

• Patient-Centered Design: Facilities must be designed to reduce infection risks, ensure accessibility, and allow for safe evacuation during emergencies.
• Environmental Regulations: Construction must meet environmental standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable materials. These factors support both operational savings and community well-being.
• Collaboration and Oversight: Successful compliance requires coordination among architects, engineers, healthcare professionals, and regulatory consultants starting at the design phase.

3. Safety and Infection Control

Hospitals require strict protocols to prevent hospital-acquired infections.

• Separation of clean and contaminated areas: Prevents the spread of infectious agents.
• Antibacterial materials: Surfaces designed to reduce contamination risks.

Tip: Automated decontamination systems help maintain a safe environment.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Oceanview Building Group (@oceanview_building_group)

4. Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Sustainable construction reduces operational costs and environmental impact.

Sustainable Practices:

• Solar energy to meet part of the facility’s electrical needs.
• Rainwater reuse for irrigation and cleaning.
• Eco-friendly construction materials, such as non-toxic paints.
• LED lighting and motion sensors to optimize energy consumption.
• Real-World Example: The Sírio-Libanês Hospital in Brazil implemented an energy efficiency system that significantly reduced electricity use.

5. Integrated Technology and Automation

Technology integration improves hospital management and patient experience.

Smart Hospital Features:

• Electronic medical records and remote patient monitoring.
• Digital access control and facial recognition.
• Infrastructure for telemedicine and online consultations.
• Automation of electrical and climate control systems for better operational efficiency.

Tip: Hospital automation enhances safety and reduces operational waste.

6. Comfort and Humanized Spaces

Welcoming environments support patient recovery and boost staff productivity.

Human-Centered Design Elements:

• Green areas and therapeutic gardens.
• Comfortable rooms for patients and accompanying family members.
• Calming color palettes and lighting.
• Acoustic insulation to minimize external noise.

Building hospitals and medical centers requires detailed planning, strict adherence to standards, and the use of modern technology. These best practices ensure medical facilities are safe, efficient, and comfortable.

If you’re looking for expert guidance to build or modernize your healthcare facility, Oceanview Building Group can help.
📞 Contact us: 954.980.5308
🌐 Connect with us on Instagram: @Oceanview_Building_Group