Skip to content
Our Approach

Our team blends this client-centric approach with cutting-edge design practices, delivering spaces that are both functional and inspiring.


VIEW OUR APPROACH
 

cmba-home-expertise-image-k12-2

K12

Our K-12 designs enhance the educational experience with dynamic, student-centered environments.


EXPLORE K12
 

cmba-menu-expertise-higher-ed

Higher Ed

Our Higher Education designs enhance student and faculty experiences and support your institution’s objectives.


EXPLORE HIGHER ED
 

cmba-menu-expertise-higher-ed

Healthcare

Our Healthcare designs provide a nurturing and impactful experience for patients, visitors and staff.


EXPLORE HEALTHCARE
 

Our Services

We offer a comprehensive range of services to transform your architectural aspirations into reality. Our expertise covers every facet of creating exceptional spaces.


VIEW OUR SERVICES
 

cmba-services-architecture

Architecture & Design

Our Architecture services are for delivering innovative design with precise functionality; creating buildings that are visually stunning and exactly suited to their purpose.


ARCHITECTURE
 

cmba-services-architecture

Interior Design

Our Interior Design services are for transforming spaces into bespoke environments that reflect your style and needs.




INTERIOR DESIGN
 

cmba-services-master-planning-light-3

Master Planning

Our Master Planning services are for envisioning and developing layouts that harmonize with their surroundings and serve community needs.


MASTER
PLANNING
 

cmba-services-bond-promotion-2cmba-services-bond-promotion-light-5

Bond Promotion

Our Bond Promotion services are for strategically guiding your projects through funding processes, ensuring community support and financial viability for your vision.


BOND
PROMOTION
 

About Us

At CMBA Architects, we blend a deep-rooted passion for architecture and design with a strong commitment to our clients. Our journey is shaped by a uniquely collaborative approach that defines every project we undertake.


LEARN ABOUT US
 

Our People

At CMBA Architects, our people are the cornerstone of our success. We are a diverse group of passionate architects, designers and thinkers, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to the table.






VIEW OUR PEOPLE 

Our Thoughts

Get quick architectural and design inspiration and cutting-edge industry knowledge to help make your project everything it should be and more!







VIEW OUR BLOG 

Contact Us

Our offices across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota have specialists ready to work on projects throughout the country.

SIOUX CITY
DES MOINES
GRAND ISLAND
SPENCER
OMAHA
SIOUX FALLS

CONTACT US
 

CMBAJun 15, 2017 12:00:00 AM1 min read

Human Design in Hospitals

Hospitals are certainly one of the most complex building types that architects design. Not many other buildings house life and death situations on a daily basis. Yet the technical design issues should not foreshadow the human design issues. People come to hospitals to cherish the beginning of life and deal with the end of life.  What are the design issues that can address the human side of the hospital environment?

Warm and Friendly Interior.

We continue to be amazed as we tour facilities for our healthcare clients at the preponderance of BEIGE. The lifeless color does nothing to warm the spirit or connect with nature. Provide a variety of color and natural materials.  Use the calming attributes of green and blue tones. We sometimes think beige is the color of choice because no one complains about it over a color. Don't let that be a reason for “beigeness.”

Daylight.

Many studies cite the benefit of natural daylight on the human experience.  "Cabin fever" describes that depressed feeling people get during the winter – greatly due to the lack of daylight. Open up spaces to the outdoors. Provide large windows in every waiting area. Windows along corridors, and especially at the end, whenever possible.

Signage.

Patients are not typically feeling in control of their lives, and getting lost in a maze of corridors with poor signage and wayfinding adds to their dismay. Provide bright and legible signage. Remember, with the aging population, a larger font is a good thing. Create nodes that serve as a reference point on their travels through the hospital.

Staff.

The staff can certainly enhance the human experience. Do they offer help when meeting someone in the corridor? Do they take the time to answer questions? This can make a big impact, especially in the smaller rural hospitals. HyVee has that slogan, "A helpful smile in every aisle," and we have all experienced it. It does make a difference.

RELATED ARTICLES