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business elite canada
H
MAY 2017
tively. With this in mind, Parkin takes the
natural surroundings of a building into con-
sideration. In the case of Providence Care
Hospital, windows that look out on the
shores of nearby Lake Ontario draw the
natural landscape into the facility.
Parkin brings forward-thinking elements to
the interior of the building to enhance the
wellbeing of the building occupants. “We
are thinking of the character and quality of
the space,” says Shantz. Parkin provides
amenities like seating alcoves along corri-
dors, areas where people who have ambu-
lation issues can walk a few feet and then
sit down. The quality of the materials, en-
vironmental graphics, and space all work
in harmony to create a positive experience
for the building occupants. “It has a posi-
tive effect on the healthcare professionals
who work in a hospital, which enhances
their ability to perform the jobs that they
do, and to care for patients,” says Shantz.
“A better environment means people are
in a better place mentally.”
SOCIETAL HEALTH
Societal health is a major focus of Parkin's
work. Robert Boraks is Director for Jus-
tice Architecture. “We have found, based
on research and practice, that normalcy is
one of the greatest tools for security,” says
Boraks. "Every building we design, be it a
hospital or a prison, should reflect the val-
ues that define our society. We are a com-
passionate country that believes in human
dignity and in supporting those in need of
help, be they victims of crime, corrections
Providence Care Hospital
