The Workspace Taskforce was created to help answer the questions of where and how the University of Utah Health community is going to work both now and in the future. To inform that work, the taskforce created the SenseMaker survey to get input on design priorities for future construction projects. The guidance from the survey is helping the taskforce as it designs and programs the new Healthcare, Educators, Leaders & Innovators Complex (HELIX), which is slated to begin construction in early 2021.
“The survey helped confirm some of our initial impressions while identifying some broad differences,” says Howard Kadish, M.D., chair of the Workspace Taskforce Design Subcommittee. “The survey helped up bring up points of discussion to the greater group."
Over 500 people responded to the survey, with a fairly even mix of faculty (52 percent) and staff (47 percent). The departments with the most respondents included pediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology.
Below is a summation of the major points of the SenseMaker results. These results are being considered by the taskforce as they design a building that creates a space where faculty and staff can do their best work, which translates to better care for our patients and better training for our students. HELIX represents an opportunity to guide the future of workspace design at University of Utah Health for decades to come.
SenseMaker Survey Highlights
Motivation to Use HELIX
When asked about what factors would lead them to use HELIX, respondents prioritized proximity to their clinics and teaching areas, along with access to private workspaces. Amenities were less of a draw.
Space Design
The survey asked about the balance between designing spaces that aid work and spaces that promote relaxation and respite. Most respondents identified the need for well-designed collaborative and solo work areas as their top priority, with the less of a desire for respite spaces.
The survey results showed a preference for private spaces that aided a quiet and focused work environment. The results also indicated that having collaborative spaces was important. Open workspaces ranked as less of a priority. One reason for the hesitancy toward open workspaces was the difficulty in discussing patient information without violating patient privacy.
Diving further into the design of HELIX’s workspaces, the survey suggested that having creative spaces had some merit. Spaces designed for leisure and relaxing were deemed less important.
Technology
The technological capabilities of HELIX will be an important piece of the new building, and several tech elements were proposed. Among them were video chat, mobile desktops, consistent conference room technology, IT support, and printing access. All of these elements were seen as important, with mobile desktops, consistent conference room tech, and IT support rising to the top of the technology priority list.
Ambience and Lighting
When looking at the ambience and lighting for HELIX, the strong preference was for lots of natural lighting. Respondents were also interested in having dimmable and moveable lighting.
Amenities
A number of possible amenities for HELIX were proposed, including a fitness center, bike storage, lockers, showers, nap rooms, coffee bar and café, rooftop gardens, patios, and event spaces. Overall, respondents ranked these amenities as important and should be considered, but none emerged as top priorities for HELIX.