A Blueprint for Better Care
Architect Damian Huneycutt takes a patient-first approach to design
By Phillip Brown
Photos by Amy Hart
When you consider what is driving the future of health care, the first thought might not be architecture — but Damian Huneycutt ’01 ’02 AIA ACHA is proving how critical design can be to patient outcomes. As Charlotte’s health care sector continues to expand, UNC Charlotte alumni like Huneycutt are playing a pivotal role in shaping the city’s future. A principal at DLR Group, Huneycutt uses a patient-first approach to create environments that support healing, optimize care delivery and enhance human experience.
“Our guiding principle is to elevate the human experience through design,” said Huneycutt, an award-winning architect. “I’ve never been one to design buildings for myself, but I’ve always been the architect to design the space for those who use it.”
Huneycutt’s largest project to date was leading the design team, which included architecture, interior and engineering members, for Atrium Health Pineville’s Phase III bed tower. The $120 million-plus build came with a unique requirement by the owner who embraced innovation — 25% of the project had to utilize prefabrication.
“I consider myself an engineer in an architect’s body, so I love how things fit together. I’ve been a huge proponent of prefabrication and modularity, which are two separate concepts,” said Huneycutt. “Whereas modularity is having system components that can be separated and recombined, prefabrication essentially means portions of the build are constructed offsite in a controlled environment then shipped to the construction site where they are installed, piece by piece, much like a large Lego set.”
Health care architect Damian Huneycutt ’01 ’02 AIA ACHA is proving how critical design can be to patient outcomes.
Huneycutt and his team of designers, engineers and contractors worked with subcontractors in Arizona, Georgia and New Jersey, which required a high level of coordination and collaboration.
“We had never tackled a project of this scale, but we were excited to partner with Jeff Schroder, Atrium’s assistant vice president of planning, design and construction, and his team to bring it to life. We had a budget of $130 million, and as a team, we were able to save the project $10 million. We used new ideas that resulted in 36% of the build accomplished through prefabrication, which saved construction costs and time. Our collective efforts allowed Atrium to take occupancy of the facility 90 days sooner than anticipated,” he explained.
The innovative efforts on this design resulted in Huneycutt winning Healthcare Design Magazine’s Team MVP award.In accepting the honor, Huneycutt stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with “the right team. They are going to pull the rope in the same direction you are.”
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I've always been the architect to design the space for those who use it."
Damian Huneycutt
UNC Charlotte contributes to the region's $17 billion health care industry through essential research – and alumni with careers in life sciences, nursing, social work and more.
Hospitals operate 24/7 with the functionality of a small city. Buildings require utilities and maintenance, and virtually everyone needs dining facilities and other amenities.
“Atrium is forward-thinking in that a nurse works in its construction department as a liaison between large-scale project team members and designers,” said Huneycutt. “She also consulted with the health care staff who would occupy the new bed tower to help ease the implementation.
“We started with the architectural drawings, then we mocked up rooms using cardboard, so the nurses could literally walk into the space. Then, we added medical equipment and moved it around to better understand the day-to-day challenges nurses face in providing medical care,” Huneycutt explained.
While building codes dictate certain requirements, Huneycutt and his team experimented with the placement of electrical outlets, putting them higher on the wall behind the beds, where all the medical equipment is located. This small change, according to a focus group of nurses, reduces both the need for repeated bending and muscle strain.
The team’s design also shortens the distance between nurses’ stations and supply areas. Reducing the number of steps taken by health care professionals enables them to spend more time with patients, and “that’s what really matters,” said Huneycutt.
Other innovative approaches by Huneycutt’s team:
“Using evidence-based design, we know that incorporating aspects of biophilia, humans’ desire to connect with other life forms and nature, shortens recovery time, so we are adding more healing gardens at the ground level as well as advocating for rooftop gardens,” Huneycutt stated.
Sarah Francis, RN, an enterprise assistant vice president with Atrium worked with Huneycutt on the Pineville project.
“Atrium is diligent in selecting partners who support our approach to patient-centered care,” said Francis. “In our newly designed, high-performance workplace, we aim to increase direct connections between patients and caregivers. We believe it improves the overall experience, leading to better health outcomes and ultimately a more efficient health care system and stronger market position by prioritizing patients’ needs.”
Huneycutt has remained an active alumnus since graduating from UNC Charlotte two decades ago. His former professors invite him to their architectural design studios, allowing Huneycutt to provide his perspective as a practicing professional. He also has served as a guest juror for midterm and end-of-semester review of student projects.
“I have the opportunity to see students go through their paces and mature educationally, so I can identify candidates who would be a good fit for our office and studio,” said Huneycutt.
Damian Huneycutt, right, with team members Nicole Surace ’23 M.Arch., Jonathan Amari ’20 M.Arch. and Leslie Curson ’08, ’09.
Currently, five Charlotte alumni are part of Huneycutt’s team: Jon Amari ’20 M.Arch., Leslie Curson ’08, ’09, Marion Gordon ’17 M.Arch., Melaine Ireland ’17, ’19 M.Arch. and Nicole Surace ’23 M.Arch. Franklin Bell, a junior, is interning with the team as an Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure program student. UNC Charlotte’s David R. Ravin School of Architecture was one of the first programs to adopt IPAL, which provides students an opportunity to complete the experience and examination requirements for licensure concurrently with the education requirement.
“Our team’s core values are commitment, creativity, environmental stewardship, fun, integrity, ownership, sharing and teamwork," said Curson, who joined Huneycutt at the DLR group in 2012. "With the health care sector expanding and innovative treatments emerging, our approach — rooted in an unwavering commitment to patient outcomes — ensures we meet the evolving needs of both patients and health care professionals in transformative ways."