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areas between patient and staf areas and provide an overall visual interest and delight to create distraction. The visual ef ect created on the fl oor can often calm or excite a patient or visitor depending on the appropriate environmental design feature. Using accents with cool-colored hues of blues and greens against a neu- tral background can provide a calming ef ect in patient areas, while more vibrant use of warmer colors in areas such as rehabilitation or public spaces can stimulate a welcoming environment. Infection control The types of healthcare spaces and the level of infection control parameters can also infl uence a fl ooring recom- mendation. Areas such as operating rooms and isolation rooms should have welded and seamed fl ooring, while patient bathrooms can range from fl oor tile to slip-retar- dant sheet vinyl. The design team should be familiar with all minimum code require- ments and individual facility preferences before engaging in selection. Installation considerations Contractors and installers are strong contributors to the success of various fl ooring products as well. How easily a product seams together, speed of installation and amount of product waste are all impor- tant to review with the fl oor- ing subcontractor. Speed to market is often the primary driving factor in healthcare construction, however, compromising installation procedures can leave long-lasting impressions. Ensuring that the moisture in the slab is at appropriate levels for proper adhesion is a proactive step early in construction to ensure installation success. Utilizing mock-ups Given all priorities from vari- ous stakeholders in the design process, designers are often faced with the challenge of how to meet all elements equi- tably. To provide equal evalu- ation of all elements, the most ef ective method is a full-scale mock-up. Providing a mock-up in a well-traveled space using all proposed fl ooring products with a similar use of color, pat- tern and seaming provides an opportunity for all evaluating participants to review for their particular interest. Mock-ups should remain in place long enough for the facil- ity leadership teams to see the products' true performance. Performing this evaluation ear- ly in the design process, along with the owner and contrac- tor partnerships, ultimately identifi es a solution that meets the installation, design, perfor- mance and cost criteria. For many years designers have requested manufacturers to make quality products suit- able for healthcare environ- ments that perform well and allow for aesthetic creativity. Healthcare organizations are now demanding more from fl ooring solutions. Flooring should contribute to the full spectrum of overall health outcomes and satisfaction rat- ings at a facility — from safety to cleanliness to aesthetics. Kristin Ledet, IIDA, is senior vice president and director of interiors for FKP Architects. flooring Spotlight DEFINING SPACES From top: Flooring pattern and color variation provide visual separation in long corridors. > Using fl oor patterns helps separate patient and family areas. > Flooring was used on this project to indicate patient room "front doors" and distract and delight children along the way. 26 Medical Construction & Design | M AY/ J U N E 2016 | MCDM AG.COM