Here from the 2025 Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) Knowledge Community for an update from AAH National and a discussion on local developments. We are joined by the 2025 AAH National President, Southern Ellis, AIA, who provides an overview of AAH National organizational structure, goals, and opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, AAH Colorado Chair Tim Neely, AIA, shares a preview of AAH Colorado’s remaining events for the year.
Category: Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community
Public Health by Design: Shaping Healthier Environments
AIA Colorado’s Knowledge Community Academy of Architecture for Health presented this virtual event exploring the intersection of public health and design on August 13th, 2024.
Topics discussed include essential public health services, health equity, the social determinants of health (SDOH), strategies to create healthy, equitable communities through case studies on transportation safety, food policy, and housing initiatives. Also discussed is the role of data, community engagement, and multidisciplinary collaboration in enhancing public health outcomes, and how designers can effectively partner with public health professionals on healthcare projects.
Presenters included:
- Bill Mahar, AICP, Principal, Norris Design
- Ynke de Koe, MS, RD, Nutrition Integration Specialist, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Kristin Ellis, MPH, MURP, Workplace Wellness Strategist, Denver Health
- Liz Young-Winne, MURP/AICP, MPH, Built Environment Coordinator, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Jack Reed, AIA, LEED GA, Architect at Page, Moderator Tim Neely, AIA, Architect at SLAM Collaborative, Moderator
Meet the Chair: Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community
How did you come to chair this committee?
My initial involvement with the new committee immediately generated much excitement, thanks to the great key members involved. The steering committee members helped encouraged me to maintain a high-level of commitment to help the organization succeed from its infancy and suggested a chair role for the 2021 year, which I was grateful to accept and embrace.
What drew you to this group initially?
With a passion for healthcare design and construction, this organization piqued immediate interest for “sharing health knowledge” within the community.
How has this committee grown or changed since you initially got involved?
The committee continues to grow with numbers of participants and thanks to the dedicated steering committee members from various local design firms. Diversity of knowledge continues to be strong. The committee has also become more structured in the recent year with defined roles and responsibilities for each steering committee member.
What are some of the accomplishments this year you are most proud of?
I am most proud of the committees success this year during very unique times of the continued virtual setting. Despite the challenges of not being in person, the group has maintained focus and a result had many successful events with participation continuing to increase.
What are some immediate and long-term plans we can hope to see from the committee?
The committee will continue to actively provide knowledge sharing opportunities though events and partnerships with other organizations. In the future, we hope with the growth of members and participants the knowledge will extend beyond architects to other important members in the healthcare community.
What one thing do you wish the membership and profession at large knew about this topic or what your committee is doing?
The committee is not only full of knowledge, but also—and most importantly—we are resources.
