architecture+ is proud to recognize Principal Brian Barker for recently earning his Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC)!
Brian has been a longtime valued member of architecture+, and we’re especially proud to celebrate both this achievement and his lasting contributions to the firm. With a particular focus in housing, special populations healthcare, and higher education projects, Brian consistently brings insight, strategic thinking, and creative problem-solving to every project, achieving our clients’ goals across disciplines.
We’re grateful to have Brian on our team—congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment and thank you for your continued dedication to excellence!
At the Southeast Psychiatric Treatment Center in Norristown, PA, architecture+ and partner firm Stantec are redefining forensic mental healthcare through compassionate, forward-thinking design. The new 420-bed hospital will significantly expand regional capacity for assessment and treatment of individuals intersecting with the judicial and corrections systems. This directly addresses the projected surge in demand for forensic beds over the next two decades.
A dedicated unit will serve medically frail/geriatric patients with co-occurring behavioral and physical health needs, streamlining the path to admission and meaningfully reducing wait times for those requiring additional care.
Developed in close collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Norristown State Hospital, the design is rooted in a trauma-informed framework that prioritizes holistic healing, staff well-being, and long-term building adaptability. The result will be a facility built not just for today's needs, but resilient enough to evolve alongside the communities it serves.
Patient units are thoughtfully situated to promote privacy and healing, balancing tranquility and consideration for nearby communities. Inside, the design draws inspiration from the adjacent Norristown Farm Park with its wooded landscapes and open agricultural fields translated into an interior environment that feels restorative, grounded, and connected to nature.
Phase 1 of the project, encompassing 270 beds, is currently out to bid.
Compassionate care starts with thoughtful design.
We're proud to share our work on the Franklin County Crisis Care Center, a 24/7 facility in Columbus, OH providing adults in mental health or addiction-related crises with a place to stabilize, heal, and connect to ongoing care.
Working alongside the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board (ADAMH) of Franklin County and partner firm NBBJ, our team prioritized the needs of both patients and staff at every step. The result is a warm, dignified environment filled with natural light and biophilic elements that support healing and wellbeing and creates a bridge to long-term recovery.
The Center includes:
— 60 Adult 23-Hour Observation Unit beds
— 16 Extended Observation Unit beds
— Inpatient neighborhood unit
— Walk-in clinic, therapy spaces, lobby, dining, and full administrative support
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Erika Clark Jones, CEO of ADAMH addressed the crowd with a clear message: mental health is health.
“Together, we believe one thing: that we can, and we must, do better for individuals and families experiencing mental health and addiction crises,” Erika said. “Crisis care must be equitable and accessible. This is more than a facility. It’s a promise to our community that those in crisis will be met with dignity, care, and hope.”
Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month—a focus that is central to the work we do at architecture+. This month, we're launching Mental Health Mondays. Every week in May, we'll spotlight a different mental health project from our portfolio and the stories behind the spaces that are designed to support care, recovery, safety and well-being.
We are immensely proud of our ongoing work and deep dedication to this specialized practice, having designed over 25,000 beds—more than any other firm in North America.
This commitment extends beyond our projects. In conjunction with the New York State Office of Mental Health, our Patient Safety Team develops, updates, and publishes the Patient Safety Standards, Materials and Systems Guidelines. This work helps advance safer, more effective care settings for both patients and staff.
We look forward to sharing our work.
architecture+ is thrilled to join the 2nd annual EmPATH Summit in Salt Lake City, UT as a sponsor, exhibitor, and participant in the conversation about advancing emergency psychiatry. On May 12th at 1:00pm Principal Arien Cartrette will be featured in the panel discussion 'Designing EmPATH Units that Pass Review: Aligning with FGI Guidelines, Codes and Real-World Constraints' along with Jonathan Westall, Vice President of MLK Community Healthcare, and John Williams, Vice President of Content and Outreach for the Facility Guidelines Institute.
If you are attending, please stop by our booth to connect with Arien and Associate Casey Crossley and learn more about the latest innovations shaping these care environments.
Spotlight on the Columbia County Wellness Hub! In partnership with The Greenburger Center for Justice, RUPCO, the City of Hudson and Columbia County, the Wellness Hub will be a transformative and innovative supportive housing campus for people experiencing homelessness, mental illness or substance use disorders, and those returning to the community from incarceration. Grounded in trauma-informed and sustainable design practices, the Wellness Hub will offer shared resident amenities and services, therapeutic connections to nature, and a safe and supportive environment to promote healing and facilitate a seamless transition from temporary shelter to permanent housing.
Architects Rachel Opare-Sem and Avi Nagel are heading to LEDucation 2026. This is one of the lighting industry’s most influential trade shows and this year marks its 20th anniversary! Join them to connect with industry leaders and innovators, earn continuing education credits, and discover the latest from over 400 exhibitors.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Just in time for NYS 2026 Maple Weekend! Our very own John Andrew Hayden, Architectural Designer, treated architecture+ staff to a Pancake Breakfast in-house. An avid maple syrup fan, he has spent the past few weeks working hard preparing maple syrup and tasty maple cream. Other staff contributions included homemade banana bread, fresh fruit, and croissants. A delicious way to welcome in spring! Thanks, John Andrew!
#mapleweekend #mapleweekendnys #nysmaple #maplesyrup #pancakes #aplustroy
Congratulations to Divya on becoming EDAC Certified! 🎉 The Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) program, offered through The Center for Health Design, certifies expertise for individuals who demonstrate proficiency in evidence-based processes for the design and construction of settings that contribute to health, safety and wellbeing.
Since officially joining architecture+ in 2024, Divya has been focused on a variety of mental health and IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) projects, and is a member of our Patient Safety Team. What a fantastic accomplishment! 🎉
We are so excited to welcome Cherie Taylor-DiCenzo to architecture+ as our new Contracts Manager! Cherie has a well-rounded background in contract administration and brings well over 20 years of experience to this role. Her expertise in managing client and vendor contracts from project startup through closeout, as well as her financial oversight, are significant assets to our Firm.
Cherie holds an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice from Dean College. Please join us in wishing her a warm welcome!
architecture+ is thrilled to share that Rachel Opare-Sem has officially become a registered architect! 🎉
Rachel joined architecture+ in 2015 and has since contributed to a wide range of projects focused on creating spaces that enrich the experiences of everyday users. From thoughtful space planning, to evaluating products and systems that support patient safety, to resolving complex technical details during construction, Rachel brings a solutions-focused mindset to every stage of the process. Her valuable work helps translate design into dignified, therapeutic environments that foster healing and enhance quality of life.
Please join us in congratulating Rachel on this well-deserved achievement!
#registeredarchitect #architecture #healthcarearchitecture #AREexam #aplustroy
architecture+ is excited to welcome Mathew Keruskie as part-time Interior Design Intern for the Spring semester. Mathew is a senior at Russell Sage College pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior + Spatial Design. We’re glad to have you, Mathew!
