The International Summit & Exhibition on Health Facility Planning, Design & Construction

We are bringing a major presence to the American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) 2026 International Summit & Exhibition on Health Facility Planning, Design & Construction (PDC Summit) in Houston. More than 20 team members from across our health and architecture practices will be on site, contributing expertise through a series of educational sessions, student engagement and industry events. Across topics ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) in hospital operations to emergency behavioral health and future-focused equipment planning, our teams will share insights that advance the future of health facilities. We look forward to connecting with colleagues, clients and partners throughout the conference.

Our ASHE PDC Summit Speaking Engagements

Monday, March 9

Turning Capital Plans into Action: The Discipline of Speed and Precision

• 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Presenter: Susana Erpestad, global director of federal architecture

Why does it cost so much? That’s what facility executives often hear from their executive leadership as they begin to plan and build capital projects; once the capital plan has been finalized, their work transitions from planning to project execution. To answer this question, members of the Built Environment Network (BEN) have leveraged the collective information available within their network to develop metrics and benchmarks to be shared with the industry. These metrics can be used to understand differences and analyze what actions could be taken to improve speed of project delivery, cost efficiency and quality, and also be used to justify staffing for an effective and efficient planning, design and construction department.

AIA/AAH and ASHE PDC Student Design Challenge: Overview and Winner Presentation

• 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Presenter: Leah Meer, health planner

This exciting annual event is designed by AIA/AAH, ASHE and other supporting organizations to stimulate critical inquiry, creative ideas, and multi-disciplinary interaction between students and design professionals. It will highlight the collaboration, brilliance and innovation of our future health care architects, engineers, construction managers and nurses. Students from different universities and disciplines will bring their creativity and ideas to this fun and evocative design charrette. This session will be an overview of the three-day-long challenge, followed by presentations by the winning teams. 

From the Exam Room to the EmPATH Unit: Simple Solutions for Emergency Behavioral Health Care

• 2:15-3:15 p.m.
• Presenter: Scott Elofson, design principal

This session explores a transformative approach to care environments that goes far beyond adaptation of existing exam spaces. Behavioral health crises are not sedentary matters, and neither should be the spaces that serve them. This session challenges the status quo and introduces a research-supported, scalable alternative: a shift from confinement to community, from isolation to engagement. Presenters will explore the power of the open milieu concept — a therapeutic environment where space, observation and interaction act as catalysts for healing. Studies show that open spaces near clinicians (such as a bay of recliners with varied seating arrangements, and activity or dining tables near the care team station) promote rapid de-escalation, foster autonomy and allow for earlier clinical engagement. This model creates immediate post-triage care opportunities, avoiding the risks and inefficiencies of exam-room boarding.

Your Virtual Nurse Will See You Now: AI in Hospital Operations, Design and Construction

• 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Presenter: Jim Thomson, U.S. central health director

Discover how the new Henry Ford Hospital is redefining health care delivery by embedding artificial intelligence (AI) throughout design, construction and operations. This session explores how the project team tackled the challenge of freeing clinicians, architects, engineers and contractors from low-value tasks, enabling them to work at the top of their license. Learn how AI tools support smarter planning, improve construction efficiency, and enhance day-to-day hospital operations through virtual nurses and predictive systems. Presenters will share lessons learned, implementation challenges and measurable outcomes, offering a practical roadmap for integrating AI into large-scale health care projects from concept to occupancy.

Tuesday, March 10

The Future of Medical Equipment Planning in Health Care Facilities

• 4-5 p.m.
• Presenter: Pranav Shauche, health planner

In a healthcare landscape defined by rapid technological change, equipment planning must evolve to balance present-day needs with future adaptability. This session explores how strategic medical equipment planning, aligned with MEP engineering and facility design, can mitigate infrastructure obsolescence and support innovation while keeping cost considerations present. Through real-world examples, attendees will gain practical tools for incorporating targeted flexibility, aligning stakeholders and delaying key decisions to match clinical and budgetary cycles — so that today’s choices don’t become tomorrow’s limitations.

To the Calming Room and Beyond: A Comprehensive Approach to Sensory-Enhanced Design

• 4-5 p.m.
• Presenter: Gina Livingston-Smith, senior designer, Interiors

What happens when you put a brain researcher, a clinician, and a designer in a room to talk about sensory-enhanced design? They come up with a menu of bespoke, evidence-based options for the design of calming rooms … and beyond! In behavioral health environments, the calming room is often the default setting for de-escalation and sensory regulation. But what if we reimagined this space not as an isolated intervention, but as a foundation for broader therapeutic impact? Explore the powerful link between psychological needs and the beauty of tailored sensory interventions from three perspectives. This session will examine how the core principles of calming rooms can be applied throughout a unit to support individualized sensory needs. 

Wednesday, March 11

Breakfast Roundtable: Supply Chain Innovation in Construction

• 7-8 a.m.
• Moderator: Jen Cagide-Alexander, health principal

Join fellow attendees to network, share insights, and engage in moderated discussions on key industry topics. These discussions will offer attendees a valuable opportunity for connection and community engagement.