We Make Space for Safety.
Safety and security in healthcare are critical issues. At HFG, we believe we can help solve those problems using architecture. That's why we developed ASSET Design - Architectural Safety and Security through Environmental Tactics Design.
As healthcare architecture experts for over 30 years, we combine proven designs with a groundbreaking approach to security to provide efficient and proactive solutions.
Ready to enhance safety in your facility?
Download a PDF version of our free materials complete with case study.
Patient-First Approach
Patient care starts before the patient
even walks in the door. We understand the importance of the patient experience and offer a unique way to enhance the safety and security efforts already in place.
Whether looking at a project through the lens of the hospital administrator, facilities manager or security professional, HFG knows how to balance critical security needs with patient-centered design.
When it comes to workplace violence, healthcare is one of the nation’s most violent fields.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers make up 73% of all non-fatal workplace violence injuries according to the most recent available data.
Breaking Down Barriers
Adding HFG to the project team at the right time allows the planning and design process to be more fluid, building
security thinking in the architecture
itself from the very beginning.
Our ability to speak multiple industry
languages - architect, security
professional, hospital administrator -
means breaking down barriers and
building consensus faster, easier and
more effectively.
HFG’s ability to creatively mitigate risk by offering solutions to vulnerabilities has resulted in a robust security design that is greater than the sum of its parts through relentless attention to detail, security industry standards, and expertise. Their thorough assessment and recommendations throughout the planning and design process has undoubtedly led to a safer environment for the future staff, patients, and visitors of the new Cardinal Glennon Hospital.
— Todd Miller, VP of Security
SSM Health
3 High-Level Facets of Safety in Design
We work collaboratively with the owner to create healthcare facilities prioritizing safety and security. Using three, high-level facets - natural, organized, and mechanical - we apply these principles to a proactive approach where violence is mitigated in healthcare settings, ultimately ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors, while also optimizing the functionality and efficiency of the facility’s infrastructure.
Natural Security
The main focus of architecture within the scope of safety and security is natural security. The following are ways to design the site and building to promote observation, ownership, and
control of spaces and users:
• Natural Reinforcement | Naturally deterring crime by guiding visitors toward staff-populated areas, fostering a sense of perceived ownership
• Ongoing Maintenance | Ensuring both the interior and exterior of the facility present a well-maintained image, utilizing landscaping and repairs as psychological tools to deter criminal behavior
• Site Analysis | Understanding the geographical context and community
trends to inform design decisions effectively
Organized Security
Our team helps coordination the inclusion of organized security - the organization of people, including hospital security, to enhance the perception of safety through observation, deter criminal activity, and promote psychological safety.
Mechanical Security
Understanding the role of hardware and software in facilitating security is critical, and the focus of mechanical security. Our team works with yours to leverage existing safety measures like controlled access points and wayfinding elements to reduce crime.
Safety Design Team
HFG Architecture is a leader in the industry with three CPTED Certified team members. This group went through a rigorous, 64-hour training to receive the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Professional Designation through the National Institute of Crime Prevention. Combining this specialized training with decades of healthcare-specific experience, the HFG Safety Design Team brings unprecedented insights to any healthcare project.
Dwayne Robinett
Safety Team
Lead
Dwayne serves as the Senior Vice President and Managing Principal at HFG Architecture. He brings 20 years of architecture experience and thought leadership to the firm. Seeing the increase in violence and the need for enhanced safe design throughout healthcare, his foresight in the industry led him to earn the CPTED certification along with two additional team members, making HFG Architecture one of the only firms to employ certified architects and interior designers through the National Institute for Crime Prevention. He has worked on over 250 healthcare projects, demonstrating his extensive knowledge as a specialized healthcare architect as well as an accomplished medical
planner.
Megan Beezley
Safety Design Specialist
Megan is a Senior Interior Designer and Associate at HFG with 16 years of experience in the industry. Throughout her career, Megan has worked on a diverse range of projects, including those in the government, corporate, education, and healthcare sectors. She is dedicated to creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also enhance the overall wellbeing and experience of the users, ensuring they are in a safe environment. Megan’s extensive experience, particularly in education and healthcare projects, has reinforced the importance of designing with security and safety in mind.
Elizabeth Robertson
Safety Design Specialist
From schematic design to construction administration, Elizabeth holds over a decade of experience in many areas of architectural design. She is a Healthcare Architect and Associate at HFG. Her experience ranges from small to large-scale projects including unique one-off designs and retail prototypes. Now in the healthcare design industry, Elizabeth recognized the importance of safety in a vulnerable environment and has worked to ensure the highest level of security in her designs. Elizabeth’s attention to detail and her passion for design always prove to be a valuable asset for her clients and her projects.
Let's Plan a Safer Future
Download a PDF version of our free materials complete with case study.
316.262.2500