Create Soothing Healthcare Settings with B+N’s Fortina
Even the most attuned design minds may find it challenging to distinguish between residential, hospitality, and healthcare settings these days. In 2020, design boundaries are more fluid than ever and creating spaces that help those within them feel at ease is not just a priority—it’s paramount. As we continue to battle a global pandemic, all eyes are on healthcare environments, from hospitals to urgent care facilities to centers focused on wellness and special needs. The creation of soothing yet functional spaces in which to receive care has never been more urgent, and one sure way to do this is by incorporating biophilic design elements.
Scientific studies have shown that our cortisol levels lower with exposure to nature and natural materials, putting people at ease. Rather than creating sterile healthcare environments with stark palettes and scattered plants, now designers are tasked with envisioning interiors that more closely resemble spas, and B+N Industries has the perfect solution. The brand’s innovative
architectural system, Fortina, is indistinguishable from natural wood Slats and Louvers, but it’s made with highly durable aluminum and a hyper-realistic non-PVC surface. Fortina’s composition also makes it perfectly suited for green building designs, given that it’s more durable than real wood and therefore creates less waste.
Take a look at these three health and wellness centers, featuring B+N’s Fortina, which pave the way for the future of commercial design.
One Medical
One Medical, a nationwide primary-care provider founded in 2007 with a mission to reimagine primary care, also is reimagining the aesthetic of a doctor’s office. “Neutral palettes can be calming and nonoffensive, but you have to be careful to balance the neutrality with something to contrast it so it doesn’t begin feeling antiseptic,” says Laura Harsch, director of design at One Medical. Fortina, which coats the walls and ceilings at One Medical, adds rich natural textures to the space, drawing the eye skyward.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente demonstrates the versatility of palettes in biophilic design, from vibrant green shades to deep, rich wood tones. “While the rhythm of the louvers informs the clean, modern aesthetic of the design, their wood tone grounds the bright, bold palette and infuses the space with a sense of warmth,” said Audrey Barriault, the lead interior designer for the project at CallisonRTKL. Considering that B+N’s Fortina comes in a large collection of finishes, designers have a seemingly endless toolkit to dramatically enhance any space with a cleanable and durable material. “B + N’s Fortina product maintains infection control protocols, which makes it a great solution for healthcare designers looking to implement the principles of biophilia as part of our interior design concepts,” adds Tamra Green, also a designer in the studio.
Utah Valley University Autism Center
Of course, natural materials alone do not lead to reduced stress—designers must also take into account natural elements, such as sunlight and depth of space, to name a few. Essentially, biophilic design principles enables designers to recreate stimuli of say, a forest, but indoors by layering light, texture, plane of vision, and even scent. Given Fortina’s ability to maintain its color and resist wear, it’s an optimal choice for areas with heavy sun exposure, like the UVU Autism Center designed by Curtis Miner Architecture.
