Few would remember the pattern on the wall of the hospital waiting room or the tiles they walked across on their way to the welcome desk. Yet by the time the nurse calls them, they have seen, heard and touched an interior designer's carefully crafted work. Each step they took was intended to bring a sense of calm, safety and ease.
AnnMarie Jackson, 澳门足彩app Healthcare's Interior Design Director in the Charlotte office, draws on over 35 years of experience to enhance spatial functionality and occupants’ well-being. Her contributions to advancing the practice of interior design have marked her as a leader in the field. In 2016, she was named a fellow of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), an honor awarded to only 1% of members, and in 2024, she received the Dora Gray Award from the ASID Carolinas Chapter.
“It’s more than just picking colors and applying finishing touches to a space,” Jackson said. “I understood early on that interior design directly impacts people’s lives and health. That has driven me ever since and is probably why I landed in the healthcare sector.”
Research from the Center for Health Design found that well-designed healthcare environments using natural light, soothing colors and quiet spaces can reduce patient recovery times by up to 21%. Additionally, Harvard Business Review and Gensler found that ergonomic furniture, collaborative zones and ample natural light minimize employee turnover and boost productivity by 20%.
While interior designers may deliver what some consider a secondary service, they achieve optimal results when they engage frequently from the initial design phase forward, which allows them input on structural form and design, Jackson said.
“I’ve been lucky in my career to have formed a network of professionals I’ve worked with who understand what interior designers do and the value of integrated interior design,” she said. “That came from persistence and advocating for myself. No one is trying to make things difficult or impede the project, but when people hear ‘interior designer,’ they might imagine this stereotype of someone who picks out fabrics, chairs and wallpaper. They don’t consider all the intrinsic schooling, training and specialized expertise, so it becomes more of an afterthought. The user experience suffers for that.”
Human-centric design incorporates a measure of psychology and creates each detail to coalesce into a cohesive ecosystem. It’s a highly empathetic philosophy that Jackson strongly advocates.
Evidence-based design (EBD), another pillar of her approach, relies on scientific findings to guide decisions about layout, lighting, acoustics and materials. Positive distractions, such as interactive art or soothing visuals, help reduce anxiety, while ergonomic layouts improve workflows. This approach ensures that each design choice directly supports user well-being, comfort and productivity.
This is particularly significant in healthcare, where research has shown that design elements can measurably improve patient outcomes and recovery time. For example, noise reduction strategies, such as sound-absorbing materials in ceilings and walls, have been shown to reduce stress and promote restful sleep.
Recognizing the importance of creating environmentally responsible spaces, designers often use sustainable, non-toxic materials like reclaimed wood, low-VOC paints and recycled metals to reduce harmful emissions and improve indoor air quality.
Certifications such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the WELL Building Standard set rigorous standards for sustainable facilities by focusing on ecofriendly material, waste conservation, air quality, natural lighting, acoustics and temperature. While all design disciplines share responsibility for meeting such standards, interior designers must be well-informed and able to implement the best practices and standards to meet each client’s sustainability requirements.
As she mentors emerging designers, Jackson emphasizes that interior design goes beyond aesthetics and functions to enhance user experience, health and efficiency. She advocates for early project involvement and encourages young designers to embrace evidence-based, sustainable practices and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“It’s a demanding role, but I find it deeply rewarding,” she said. “It’s one of those rare crossovers where science meets art. Of course, we want to make it look good, but good interior design means scrutinizing every detail, from the lights, furnishings, air conditioning and, yes, the colors. Being more scientific and outcome-driven allows us to make a quantifiable difference in people’s lives, and looking for ways to support sustainable design and materials ensures we’re making a lasting impact on our environment. This holistic approach is how we create spaces that matter.”
澳门足彩app's subject matter experts consistently maintain a holistic and innovative approach to problem-solving, which means they regularly participate in solutions-focused discussions across disciplines and industries. Contact our team to leverage that thought leadership on your next project.
