Five Ways to Elevate Behavioral Healthcare Through the Built Environment, Published in Medical Construction & Design

In an article published in Medical Construction & Design, Spiezle Associate Principal Damian Huneycutt discusses five supportive design strategies to enhance the well-being of behavioral health patients. He emphasizes the profound responsibility behavioral health facilities have to create human-centered design, providing spaces that are safe, healing, and grounded in respect for every individual who enters.

“Every decision made by architects and designers must be rooted in human-centered design to create spaces that embody empathy, dignity and healing,” said Huneycutt. “By placing empathy and respect at the center of design decisions, healthcare facilities can transform behavioral health environments into places where patients feel safe, valued and hopeful.”

Huneycutt outlines practical design approaches, including biophilic design and daylighting, sensory design, patient autonomy and choice, safety considerations, and staff well-being spaces. Together, these strategies help reduce stress, support recovery, and foster a calming atmosphere to improve daily operations in behavioral health settings.

“At the heart of behavioral health design lies a simple but profound truth; patients deserve spaces that honor their dignity and humanity,” said Huneycutt. “Environments that incorporate natural light, thoughtful sensory design, patient autonomy, safety and staff well-being are more than just buildings they are instruments of healing.”

To read the story in full, click here.