This year’s NeoCon was nothing short of exhilarating, including some of the nicest weather the Windy City has to offer. Our Healthcare team, equipped with their most comfortable shoes, navigated through floors of Merchandise Mart showrooms to bring you some of the latest healthcare design innovations and inspiration available.

The Dynamic Shift in Healthcare Spaces

For decades, healthcare design has prioritized safety and cleanliness. Today, with the increasing popularity of concierge medicine and greater choice in providers, delivering a compelling customer experience has become equally important. From aesthetic details to seamlessly integrated technology to support modern lifestyles, this evolution was evident at NeoCon 2024.

We’re excited to share our top healthcare design insights from this year's NeoCon:

Creating a Welcoming Oasis in Challenging Environments

Walking through healthcare showrooms, we were greeted by modern aesthetics and hotel-like vignettes that bespoke hospitality. Seating solutions inspired by Ireland’s mystical stone circles and modular lounges with fluid contours welcomed guests and offered a sense of retreat.

A welcoming environment rooted in hospitality extends beyond visual appeal – it creates a harmonious and elevated experience. Built-in electrical components such as seat warmers and massage functions ensure guests feel relaxed and at ease.

Imagine the healthcare space as a holiday destination or spa where people visit without hesitation or fear. Might the use of preventative healthcare increase and result in less serious illness? More brainstorming and deeper consumer understanding are needed, but instilling hospitality in healthcare is a good start.

Embracing the Evolution in Behavioral Health

Hospitality is not a passing trend in healthcare; it is conducive to healing, especially in behavioral health settings where emotional well-being takes center stage. The evolution in treatment options and access to services is driving behavioral health environments to become more approachable, comfortable, and sociable.

Think game lounges that promote social interactions, ergonomic rocking chairs for gentle conversations, and thoughtfully designed storage units for personal items. Integrating soothing colors with blue hues creates a calming ambiance to support the recovery journey.

Behavioral health is likely to undergo further transformations with continuing de-stigmatization efforts and technological advancements. The U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration estimates a 37% increase in demand for behavioral health services and a 9% decrease in workforce supply by 2034. How will this change impact behavioral health spaces? Can thoughtful design help retain and increase workforce supply?

Leveraging Nature’s Healing Touch

Biophilic elements have long been key in creating therapeutic environments. From organic textures such as wood and stone that bring a sense of grounding to lighting and nature-inspired textile patterns, the presence of nature was obvious.

As technology advances, biophilic design is evolving beyond shapes and patterns. Responsible sourcing and minimizing environmental impact are becoming critical in preserving nature’s gifts. Utilizing new technologies to create sustainable materials and craft sensory experiences are emerging interior design trends. For example, can sensory experiences be tailored to individual preferences using biometric technology?

Navigating Through Design Exploration

Healthcare design is gaining increasing attention in the world of design. As our team explored NeoCon, various healthcare solutions made us do double takes. Whether you are looking for ideas for your next project or simply want to get a glimpse into NeoCon offerings, we invite you to visit our 2024 NeoCon website with a curated collection of interior solutions. Chat with our Healthcare Team to brainstorm ideas and challenge the boundaries of healthcare interior design.