Creating a Welcoming Healthcare Environment for Everyone

When a healthcare organization realized their existing facility could no longer meet the needs of their patients, they turned to LERDAHL to help reimagine their space. Their goal was ambitious: a clinic that feels accessible, cohesive, and welcoming across every department, from dental and pharmacy to physical therapy and optometry. With thoughtful design, careful collaboration, and a focus on people, we helped bring that vision to life.

The Challenge

The client’s existing facility was aging and no longer adequate for the number of patients served. They needed a space that could:

  • Support multiple healthcare departments while feeling seamless and consistent.
  • Create calming, comfortable environments for patients navigating stressful experiences.
  • Accommodate a wide population in a rural location, while maintaining functionality for staff.

Beyond these practical needs, the project was an opportunity to support the client’s mission: delivering equal, high-quality healthcare to everyone who walks through the door.

Our Approach

Collaboration was central to this project. LERDAHL worked hand-in-hand with the architect, the owner’s representative, and the client’s team to ensure every decision supported their goals.

“The client trusted us to take the lead, and we treated that trust as a responsibility,” shared a LERDAHL team member. “We made every effort to stay aligned, responsive, and thoughtful throughout the process, from design to installation.”

Most of the project was coordinated virtually due to the location, but strategic in-person visits ensured the design and installation met our standards and the client’s expectations. By combining consistent communication with hands-on oversight, we were able to navigate logistical challenges and deliver on schedule.

The Solution

The new clinic brings together multiple departments in a way that feels cohesive and welcoming. Every space was designed to feel consecutive and familiar, helping patients feel supported no matter where they go. Thoughtful touches, from seating arrangements to finishes, create calming, inclusive environments that accommodate people of all ages and abilities.

LERDAHL worked with a variety of manufacturers to achieve the perfect balance of comfort, durability, and aesthetic cohesion. Each decision was driven by function and experience rather than products, reflecting the client’s culture and values. The result is a space that not only works well but feels like a place patients can trust and feel at ease.

The Results

Since moving into the new facility, feedback from both staff and patients has been overwhelmingly positive.

This project highlights how thoughtful, people-centered design can transform not just a space, but the experience of everyone who uses it: patients, staff, and the broader community alike.