Shelly Davis from Armstrong flooring (left) presented on EBD at H.J. Martin headquarters.

A small group of area architects and designers joined with members of the H.J. Martin team on March 20 at H.J.’s Green Bay headquarters for a CEU course on Evidence Based Design (EBD) in the healthcare industry and the impact it has on the bottom line.  The benefits of incorporating EBD into flooring design were among the topics covered by Shelly Davis from Armstrong flooring, who gave the presentation.

“Continuing education is important for architects and designers,” Davis says, “and benefits the end users.  Armstrong believes in the value of holding these courses for the architect and designer communities.”

Evidence Based Design is a newer topic in the health-care field, having started in 2000.  EBD counters the traditional perception of hospitals as being cold and sterile.  In fact, scientifically proven results have shown that EBD reduces medical errors and costs, along with curtailing patient and family expenses.

In a typical EBD patient room, there will be big windows, ample seating for family, wood and other natural materials, artwork, and one person per room.  The idea is to create a home-like atmosphere.

Evidence Based Design applies to flooring design in multiple ways.  One is Wayfinding – using flooring as a visual cue to help direct patients and visitors.  Minimizing anxiety about “where to go” results in a better customer experience.

Another manner EBD works into flooring design is by helping to create a soothing atmosphere.  Often this is accomplished through hard-surface flooring that gives a soft-carpet visual or a look of natural materials – studies have shown that nature has a healing element to it.

Slip-resistant flooring, resulting in heightened safety, also is a component of Evidence Based Design.

Beyond being a chance to earn Continuing Education Units, the course provided another benefit.  “I think everyone here learned a lot,” says Rachel Weber, project coordinator and interior designer at H.J. Martin.  “It also was a great opportunity to get your detailed questions answered by an Armstrong rep.”

H.J. Martin regularly hosts CEU courses and believes in the partnerships it has with customers, architects, designers and vendors.  Anyone seeking information on future CEU course offerings should contact Rachel Weber at 920.494.3461.

Armstrong is a leading manufacturer of residential and commercial flooring, along with ceiling systems, and is a valued industry partner of H.J. Martin.