Northwest Urology is expanding its top-tier clinical care network. Featuring a refreshed brand identity, the newly redesigned clinic will serve as a design model across their metropolitan-area locations, reflecting NWU's long-standing commitment to exceptional patient care.

Health system leaders around the world are reimagining their medical spaces to meet rising expectations around patient comfort, operational efficiency, and integration of new technologies. Looking to elevate their clinic locations, NWU engaged DESIGN+BUILD to create new design standards that align with their evolving needs.

“Office spaces can feel so sterile or institutional, especially in exam rooms,” said Daniel Hirselj, MD of NWU. “We didn’t want a medical-office feel in the lobby. We wanted it to feel open, professional, and clean.” From the earliest conversations, the design team engaged in a comprehensive discovery process to ensure the new location would support clinical efficiency while also providing space for future growth. The upgrades include a redesigned reception area, lab space, exam and procedure rooms, and consultation offices, developing a program that supports the patient journey. “The experience working with DESIGN+BUILD has been great,” said Hirselj. “We had specific things we wanted to accomplish in a brand-new space, and they took the time to listen to what we needed.”

Circulation & User Flow

From a design standpoint, one of the most significant challenges involved determining how patients and staff would move throughout the space.

Circulation patterns and key adjacencies were evaluated at multiple project stages. The reception area was intuitively designed to be open and accessible, guiding patients immediately upon arrival. Underlighting at the base of the reception desk and wood elements rising from the floor create a clear point of orientation, while the corrugated tile subtly references the industrial materials visible outside the windows. Within the clinical core, establishing a efficient layout that placed exam rooms, procedure rooms, restrooms, and the lab in close proximity was essential to supporting a seamless workflow for employees.

“We wanted circulation to feel natural and intuitive, creating easy movement for both providers and staff while maintaining strong visual and functional connections.”

– Maddy Mackin Freeman, Director of Design

Specialty Technical Coordination

Originally a cold shell commercial space, the project required advanced technical coordination with the delivery team to meet the specialized demands of a clinical environment.

“The building was primarily designed for office use, so transforming it into a urology clinic required close coordination with our mechanical and plumbing engineers to make sure we had the right infrastructure for sinks, toilets, and all the specialty requirements a medical space needs," explained Samantha Aleo, Design Lead.

Enhancing Comfort & Well-Being

Creating an environment that supports both patient healing and staff renewal was a core design priority. Respite areas for employees were crafted with the same level of intention as the public-facing spaces, incorporating luxury chevron tile, warm wood detailing, and suspended globe lighting lend the space a lofty, inviting presence. Access to daylight plays a significant role in patient comfort and in reducing fatigue for providers who spend long hours in clinical environments.

"Natural light has so many emotional and physical benefits. We incorporated relights and additional windows to pull light from the perimeter deep into the space."

– Samantha Aleo, NCIDQ, LEED Green Associate

Thoughtful design plays a meaningful role in supporting staff morale and purpose, with the built environment contributing directly to comfort, emotional well-being, and overall energy for both patients and providers. “The staff coming into a fresh office space brings new energy,” said Hirselj. “People are proud to come to work and provide care here.”

Celebrating Over 50 Years of Care

Northwest Urology’s expansion in this new space aligns with a broader commitment to elevating patient care and supporting its clinicians. For NWU, the renovation represents both a modernization and a reaffirmation of the organization’s core values.

"DESIGN+BUILD is professional, they do quality work, and their portfolio speaks for itself. Our company has been around for fifty years, yet this space makes it feel brand new."

– Daniel Hirselj, MD, NWU

The clinic stands as a model for what the next generation of healthcare environments can be: thoughtfully executed, technically sound, emotionally supportive, and deeply aligned with the human experience at the center of patient care.

For organizations approaching the end of a commercial lease term or looking to relocate, "this is an opportunity for you to determine the future of your practice," said Maddy Mackin Freeman, Director of Design. "How people move around in it, how patients feel when they come into the space, and how employees feel every day about coming to work. Overall, just having your patients feel more satisfied with coming to your clinic space."

Your Next Move: Plan a Medical Office Renovation

We create clinic workspaces that uplift patients and empower providers, managing the process end-to-end with intention and care.

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