How an initial trip to the chiropractor revealed similarities between medical care and lab planning
Those of us connected to architecture or the science world tend to be left-brained problem solvers. Since childhood, we have loved to put together puzzles and solve riddles. We enjoy the challenge of identifying what’s wrong and how to fix it.
While making a series of trips to the Chiropractor, I realized that our fields of expertise – medical care and lab planning – were actually very similar. Although the scale has increased and the stakes are much higher, at the heart of our fields, we are still figuring out puzzles.
Let me share with you some examples of how addressing a misaligned spine and planning labs are similar:
Doctor: What do you hope to accomplish with your visits?
Planner: What are your goals for the project?
Doctor: What movements cause pain? What can you do without pain?
Planner: What is wrong with you existing space? What is working well with your current space?
Doctor: Are you having problems sleeping?
Planner: What keeps you up at night?
Doctor: Let’s perform an initial examination to assess your condition.
Planner: Let’s have a look at your existing laboratory and surrounding spaces.
Doctor: I can tell that there is some muscle tightness and that there are some areas that are not aligned properly. Let me explain what it is I’m talking about using these posters on the wall.
Planner: I can tell that you have limitations with your current facility, let me show you what we’ve been doing with modern laboratories.
Doctor: I’d like to take a few x-rays.
Planner: I’d like to perform a detailed evaluation of your operations by observing the staff work.
Doctor: Can I get your insurance information?
Planner: Is your project funded and what is the budget?
Doctor: I’d like to set up an appointment to begin treatment.
Planner: I’d like to schedule a kickoff meeting to learn more about your needs and begin space planning.
Following our initial consultation, we take closer looks, explore possible issues and diagnoses, and then communicate our findings back to our patients/clients. The result may be different, but the process of solving our puzzles is actually quite similar.
Michael Jelinek, RA, NCARB
Senior Project Architect : Associate