Healthcare Design - December 2021 - 48

f a ce Time
ERIC KOFFLER
Senior associate, designer, NBBJ (Columbus, Ohio)
COFFEE OR TEA?
100 percent coffee;
0 percent tea.
Interested in a career where he could help others, Eric
Koffl er considered nursing before deciding architecture
was a better fi t. During his fi rst job, he found his passion for
healthcare design. Four years ago he joined NBBJ, where he's been
involved in a variety of hospital projects. At home, he's building up his
board game collection. -Anne DiNardo
WHAT DREW YOU TO A CAREER
IN HEALTHCARE DESIGN?
After graduating with my bachelor's degree in architecture,
I took a year off to figure out my next steps. I
was teetering between becoming a nurse and getting
my master's in architecture when I realized the thought
of needles makes me uncomfortable. I earned my master's
from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
The rest happened by chance! My first job in Chicago
was as an interior designer/medical planner.
THREE UNEXPECTED ITEMS ON
YOUR DESK
1 pulse oximeter.
2digital thermometer (I'm in a
COVID-19 vaccine trial).
3 luxury vinyl tile sample to protect
my WFH desk, aka my dining table.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST
ABOUT YOUR WORK?
Interacting with the end users. It's during these
engagements-conducting research and asking
questions about their processes and pain points-
that we can identify solutions through planning and
design. I love problem-solving and being part of a
team that improves not only the patient experience
and outcomes but also the health and well-being
of the staff.
APP/WEBSITE
WHAT'S A HOBBY YOU'VE
PICKED UP DURING THE
PANDEMIC?
Game nights! Our board game collection has multiplied
in the best way. We have a good mix of games based on
strategy, and those that are more mindless yet active. The
latter work great for groups where you want to chit-chat
more and not have to focus so much on your next move.
WHAT CHALLENGES KEEP
YOU UP AT NIGHT?
Budgets. The design industry is constantly asked
to do more with less, while ensuring that staff and
patient experience are kept top of mind.
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE, WE'LL
LIKELY FIND YOU...
I love being outdoors surrounded by nature. Living in
Chicago, it typically requires a weekend getaway, so I
love a good three- to four-day weekend trip. My most
recent one was to a lake house in Michigan.
SkyView. I use it when I'm
out of the city and can
see the stars. It identifies
planets, stars, galaxies,
and even the International
Space Station, all in
augmented reality.
FIRST ALBUM YOU
EVER BOUGHT
I don't recall the first one
I bought, but the first one
I was gifted was a New
Kids on the Block cassette
for Christmas.
HOW DID YOU
MAKE YOUR FIRST
DOLLAR?
In high school I worked at
my grandparents' dairy
farm for several summers to
help them cut and bail hay,
drive tractors, and
milk the cows.
ICE CREAM FLAVOR
Mint chocolate chip,
but I won't say no to
classic vanilla.
TEAM
THREE HEALTHCARE PROJECTS
YOU'VE WORKED ON IN THE
LAST YEAR AND YOUR ROLE
1
2
3
Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center New
Bed Tower, Charlotte, N.C., lead interior designer/
medical planner.
Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation
Replacement Hospital, Charlotte, N.C., lead interior
designer/medical planning oversight.
Mohawk Valley Health System, Utica, N.Y.,
medical planner/interior architect.
48
DECEMBER 2021
HCDMAGAZINE.COM
COCKTAIL OF
CHOICE
I gravitate toward things
with bourbon. I've been
drinking a lot of Manhattans
and Old Fashioneds
these days.
I don't follow sports that
closely, but I do live a few
blocks from Wrigley Field.
So I guess this makes me
a Cubs fan?
NBBJ (ATRIUM HEALTH); SHINTARTANYA/STOCK.ADOBE.COM (BOARD GAME); IRIANA SHIYAN/STOCK.ADOBE.COM (LAKE VIEW)

http://www.HCDMAGAZINE.COM

Healthcare Design - December 2021

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