As a healthcare designer and Building Information Modeling (BIM) coordinator at HOK’s Washington D.C. studio, I had the opportunity to integrate design and technology across several large-scale healthcare projects. Initially, I was intrigued by the challenges of coordinating BIM in complex healthcare environments. What did it mean to navigate this intricate landscape? How did it align with my passion for design and innovation? This journey transformed my curiosity into expertise, providing an unparalleled learning experience.
My journey began with a steep learning curve, navigating the complexities of healthcare design and the advanced technology that underpins it. I quickly realized that being a BIM coordinator was not just about managing digital models, it was about shepherding collaboration among architects, engineers, and healthcare professionals. It was about ensuring that every detail, from the placement of medical equipment to the flow of patient traffic, was meticulously planned and executed.
One of my earliest projects was the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) new Surgery, Radiology, and Lab Medicine Building—a state-of-the-art hospital and research center in Bethesda, Maryland. I worked closely with HOK’s integrated team of architects, lab and medical planners, engineers and user groups to develop a design strategy to ensure the building’s infrastructure could support current equipment and adapt to future advancements in clinical research technology. This project, which later won the 2023 American Architecture Award, was a turning point for me. It highlighted the profound impact that thoughtful design and precise coordination can have on patient care and staff efficiency.
More recently, I led the BIM efforts for the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center (CHRMC) project in Washington, D.C. This 136-bed, full-service community hospital is the first inpatient facility built in the district in 25 years and significantly enhances healthcare access for underserved populations. Opened in April 2025, CHRMC includes trauma care, adult and pediatric emergency departments, maternal health and delivery services, and an ambulatory pavilion for physician offices and clinics.
Throughout this project, one of the challenges I faced was ensuring collaboration among 10-plus external architecture and multidisciplinary engineering teams. This often involved navigating different software platforms, aligning diverse workflows, and resolving conflicts that arise from varying design standards and practices. Through this experience, I have come to understand that my role as a BIM coordinator is integral to my identity as a healthcare design professional for two reasons: It combines my love for technology with my passion for human-centered design, driven by effective teamwork.
Healthcare projects are inherently multi-layered due to stringent regulatory requirements, the need for precise coordination among various disciplines, and the integration of advanced medical technologies. Each project involves different phases and milestones that must be completed to reach the finish line. At every stage—be it programming, design development or construction— design technology can improve efficiency, accuracy, and management that are key to success.
Here’s a detailed look at how the latest design technology tools can make that possible, with examples from HOK’s recent work on Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center:
Programming Phase
This phase bridges the gap between strategic planning and design execution, detailing the specific needs and layouts of the medical facility to guide the subsequent design phases. Utilizing BIM technology allows for efficient gathering, integration and organization of vast amounts of data. This improves the accuracy and detail of the information collected, enabling the definition of the full design scope and identification of crucial factors to quantify an owner’s requirements.
Autodesk Revit, when paired with plug-ins like Ideate Software, greatly improves data management. It provides users with easy access to data, enabling the automation of various tasks.
For example, in planning CHRMC, HOK utilized Ideate BIMLink to populate and update room data sheets. This included details such as information about flooring, walls and ceiling finishes, as well as a list of essential equipment and furniture required in the room. This automation significantly streamlined the workflow and minimized errors, ensuring that all necessary information was accurately captured and presented.
dRofus significantly enhances data management for healthcare projects by centralizing all project requirements, including room specifications and equipment lists. It facilitates real-time collaboration among team members, reducing delays and keeping the project on track. Additionally, dRofus ensures regulatory compliance by incorporating healthcare standards such as FGI Guidelines into the design process.
Project Development Phase
Design development and construction document phases are critical stages in a project where detailed plans and specifications are created to guide construction. During these phases, utilizing Autodesk BIM360, PyRevit and CTC tools can help facilitate collaboration and the production of high-quality drawings. Together, these tools improve efficiency, reduce errors, and foster effective communication, leading to a more successful project outcome.
Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is a cloud-based platform that facilitates seamless collaboration among team members. It allows real-time updates and access to project data from anywhere, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Industry reports indicate that projects using ACC have seen up to a 20% reduction in project timelines due to improved coordination and communication.
On the CHRMC project, the HOK team leveraged ACC tools to easily share, track and control project documents. ACC’s clash detection feature allowed us to identify and resolve conflicts between different building systems before construction began, minimizing costly rework and delays. The software design collaboration feature, meanwhile, allowed our multidisciplinary teams to co-author Revit models in real-time. Each week, updated architecture models were shared across teams, ensuring everyone had access to the latest design updates and reducing miscommunication and errors.
Ideate Software is a powerful plugin for Revit significantly enhances efficiency during the design development and construction documentation phases. Ideate Software automates repetitive tasks, such as generating multiple views and sheets, reducing the time required for these activities. This is particularly beneficial for complex healthcare projects, where both efficiency and accuracy are crucial.
Integrating Ideate Sheet Manager and Ideate View Creator into the CHRMC design technology workflow, allowed me to streamline the setup and organization process. For example, I easily created over 300 sheets and effortlessly placed plans, sections and detail views. This approach made managing large drawing sets both easier and more efficient, contributing to the overall success and fluidity of the project management efforts.
Construction Administration Phase
The construction administration phase of a project is vital for ensuring adherence to design specifications, budgets and timelines. Advanced tools like Trimble Connect and ProjectSight can significantly boost collaboration and efficiency among the design team and contractors. These tools provide seamless communication, streamline the review of RFIs and submittals, and ensure prompt resolution of any issues, thereby maintaining the project’s integrity and progress.
Trimble Connect is cloud-based software that provides quick access to 2D and 3D data, including Revit models, AutoCAD files and drawings. This facilitates easy analysis, management and collaboration among multiple stakeholders on any construction project. Its user-friendly interface minimizes the learning curve, enabling teams to adapt quickly during the fast-paced phases of construction.
Using Trimble Connect allowed the CHRMC team to efficiently coordinate numerous drawings and assemble packages for Bulletin submissions. This streamlined approach resulted in more efficient project management and timely delivery of critical updates.
ProjectSight is comprehensive construction management software designed to support construction management. Developed by Trimble, ProjectSight provides a cloud-based platform that serves as a single repository for all construction project data, facilitating improved collaboration and communication among team members.
ProjectSight’s automated workflow, centralized document storage and customizable dashboards significantly improved project execution and coordination on the CHRMC project. Its tools and features allowed me to monitor the status and progress of RFIs and submittals immediately, leading to faster completion times and reduced errors during construction administration.
Then, Now and into the Future
Initially, design work was done using 2D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems, which provided basic digital representations of buildings. However, these 2D models were limited in their ability to convey spatial relationships and complex design details. The shift to 3D modeling in the 1990s allowed for more detailed and accurate representations of buildings, incorporating architectural, structural, and MEP components into a single, unified model.
This evolution is particularly significant for hospitals, which depend on highly complex infrastructure where precision and effectiveness are paramount. Design technology tools, such as BIM, help facilitate that much-needed precision by minimizing design conflicts, optimizing workflow planning, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Looking ahead, the integration of AI-driven tools with BIM promises to streamline the design process even more. Autodesk highlights that AI can cut design and documentation time by up to 30%, enabling design professionals to channel their creativity into high-value tasks. Nonetheless, it’s essential to approach AI-BIM integration with balance and responsibility, acknowledging the associated challenges and ethical considerations. As we move forward, AI-BIM stands out as a transformative force poised to reshape the future of design and construction.
Gozde Yildirim’s Biography
Gozde Yildirim, Assoc. AIA, LEED GA, MBA, is a Senior Design Professional at HOK’s Washington, D.C. studio. With ten years of experience, she has been pivotal in delivering major healthcare projects including Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center and NIH’s Surgery, Radiology, and Lab Medicine Building. Her work has earned her the titles of 2023 Healthcare Design Rising Star and 2024 Women in Healthcare Rising Star. Gozde currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Women in Healthcare Washington, D.C. Chapter.
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