Greetings from the AIA California Office,

AIA California recently hosted the Healthcare Facilities Forum where smart people gathered to talk about the impact of technology on the built environment (among other things), and experts briefed individuals and firms on economic data they might not have access to.  You may not be involved in the design and delivery of healthcare facilities and wonder why the results of this conference may apply to you, but that’s far from the truth when you consider by 2040:

• Minorities will become the majority in the U.S. by 2045
• There will be more old people than children for the first time
• Majority of the U.S. population (87%) will live in urban areas
• Global average sea levels will be up to 10” higher than today
• Technology and human behavior will be even more intertwined
• An American child born in the U.S. will be expected to live to 93 years old

And shockingly, the United States is 5x as expensive as other countries to achieve an 86^th ranking in patient outcomes worldwide,

Deb Sheehan, DPR’s Healthcare Core Market Strategy Leader provided insight about market shifts, impacts of a changing workforce and influence of digital adoption. We know everyone involved in design and construction industry are facing the lingering impact of economic uncertainty, escalating operating costs and changing dynamics of the workforce. Deb also shared how in this age of disruption, it will drive four fundamental changes in industry economics.

• Business model transformation. Digitization empowers firms to be more responsive over every facet of how they go to market; their service value propositions, target customers and price points.
• Digital agility. Firms that can anticipate change, react faster than competitors, and adapt the strategies and processes in light of disruptive events are able to stay ahead of the curve.
• Intelligent automation. People have traditionally provided expertise, the primary offering of the architectural profession; AI will dramatically change professional services.
• Talent empowerment. Reimaging the employee experience to offer the right value proposition will be imperative for firms in the digital world.

According to Charles Darwin – “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, it is the ones most responsive to change.” Hosting experts who offer this type of real research and identification of challenges facing clients and the impact of architects on a rapidly changing world is just one more way AIA California is working for you.

Nicki