Design Matters: Designing Medical Office Buildings

Medical office buildings, particularly ambulatory care facilities, occupy a unique niche within commercial development. While they may resemble standard office projects, the planning behind them is far more complex. From emergency access and patient privacy to infrastructure reliability and daily operations, these facilities require a higher level of coordination and foresight.

According to Park Sorenson, a project manager in FOCUS’s Site Civil Engineering Department, understanding these nuances early is essential to creating sites that support both patient care and long-term functionality.

Designing for Safety, Operations, and Reliability

“Medical projects differ from typical commercial developments largely because of how the buildings are used,” Park says. “It’s mainly based on the needs of the physicians that occupy the buildings and the patients who use them.” Emergency access is one of the most significant site considerations. Ambulatory facilities often require dedicated ambulance pick-up and drop-off areas that meet strict building and fire code standards. These areas must be separated from public entrances to protect patient privacy and comply with HIPAA requirements, directly shaping site circulation and layout. Infrastructure planning is equally critical. Medical office sites must accommodate backup power systems such as generators and fuel storage to ensure continuity of care during outages. “If the power goes out, we still need power to the equipment so that we can keep that person alive,” Park explains. Space for these systems must be considered early in the site design process.

Operational demands also extend beyond the building itself. Medical facilities typically require higher parking ratios, designated areas for hazardous waste, and space for frequent deliveries and lab pickups. These service functions need to operate efficiently without disrupting patient access or the overall flow of the site. One of the biggest challenges is that clients do not always anticipate the additional coordination and cost associated with medical facilities. “Ambulatory centers need a lot more thought when it comes to placement and operations,” Park notes. A current project visible from I-15 in Lehi illustrates this approach. The site’s significant grade made accessibility a challenge. FOCUS ultimately implemented an underground parking garage, allowing for a flat, accessible building pad while providing covered parking for physicians. The solution addressed technical constraints while adding long-term value to the project.

Collaboration and Creative Problem Solving

Because every discipline impacts the others, collaboration is essential. Successful medical projects require close coordination between physicians, owners, architects, and MEP teams from the outset. “If you don’t collaborate at a high level, you won’t have a successful project,” Park says. Early communication helps identify conflicts, align expectations, and keep projects moving efficiently. Park emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues early rather than late in the process, allowing clients to understand tradeoffs and explore alternatives before expectations are set. Park explains, “Behind the walls, in the ceilings; there’s a lot of things happening to keep all the patients safe.” With thoughtful planning, strong collaboration, and a clear understanding of medical-specific requirements, site civil engineering plays a critical role in creating safe, reliable, and efficient healthcare environments.

To partner with FOCUS Consulting, contact our team at info@focus-es.com or (801) 352-0075.