24: Melinda P. Avila-Torio

24: Melinda P. Avila-Torio

Author: Porcelanosa December 21, 2019 Duration: 16:52

Melinda P. Avila-Torio, NCIDQ, CHID, RID, CASP, LEED AP, and Senior Associate and Project Manager at THW Design on the need for private family rooms at senior living facilities. When a male executive at an assisted living facility was quietly in conversation with a resident, the resident suddenly and peacefully died. In order not to not alarm the other residents, the executive continued to softly speak to the woman, while holding her hand. According to Melinda, these types of experiences are on the rise and have created a need for dedicated and private family rooms. This and more on Environments for Aging design trends on today's episode of Healthcare Interior Design 2.0 - The Lightning Round. Learn more about Melinda P. Avila-Torio and THW Design by visiting http://thw.com

*Please note this correction: The Ring Video, mentioned in the episode by Melinda, said to be brought into the 2009 Idea House was incorrect. The Digital Door View by FirstView Security is the correct name of this product. Home Technology Systems, Inc. was the vendor who brought The Digital Door View to the Idea House.  We apologize for this error.

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Additional support for this podcast comes from our industry partners:

  • The Center For Health Design
  • The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design and
  • The American Association of Healthcare Interior Designers

Learn more about how the Center for Health Design can support your firm by visiting: http://healthdesign.org.

Connect to a community interested in supporting clinician involvement in design and construction of the built environment by visiting The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design at https://www.nursingihd.com/.


Hosted by Porcelanosa, Healthcare Interior Design 2.0 explores a field in the midst of a profound shift. This isn't just about choosing paint colors or furniture; it's a deep, necessary conversation about the very spaces where healing happens. Each episode grapples with essential questions that sit at the unique intersection of art, medicine, and human well-being. We consider how to build environments that truly serve every person in a community, acknowledging the full spectrum of human diversity and need. The discussions are grounded in real-world application, moving from broad concepts to tangible details. You'll hear about specific challenges, like redesigning cancer care units to reduce anxiety, or selecting materials that resist infection without sacrificing beauty or sustainability. The podcast delves into how intentional design choices-from layout to lighting to acoustics-directly impact not only patients, but also the families who visit them and the clinical staff working long shifts. It’s a thoughtful examination of how compassion and curiosity can be built into the walls around us, making healthcare spaces more effective, inclusive, and humane. Tune in for a series that redefines what’s possible when we thoughtfully design for health.
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