WHR Architects Charles H. Griffin AIA, FACHA, EDAC Assumes Presidency of Academy of Architects for Health

01/21/2014 | WHR Architects

Charles H. Griffin, AIA, FACHA, EDAC, a Senior Principal and one WHR’s Studio Leaders has begun his tenure as the 2014 President of the Academy of Architects for Health of the American Institute of Architects.  Griffin enters his term at time when the healthcare industry is facing a number of challenges, yet he sees opportunity. He brings a strong vision to the AAH and has outlined clear goals for 2014.

“As an industry, we can demonstrate to our clients the value that Healthcare Architects bring to a planning or design engagement,” he said in his initial letter to AAH members.  “It is no longer only traditional design services that our design practices can provide our clients. There is value in research-informed decision making, LEAN process improvement, a collaborative approach to the project team and improvement in documentation through the use of BIM tools. With these value added efforts, we can help our clients achieve operational efficiency, quality improvements, and ultimately better projects.”

His primary goals for the year include continued collaboration with industry partners, mentorship and leadership transition and helping AAH members understand the benefits of certification from American College of Healthcare Architects.

“Charles Griffin assumes his role as AAH President with the full support of WHR,” said Chairman and Founding Principal David Watkins, FAIA. “The firm has a long history of participation and leadership in the AIA and AAH Knowledge Community. We know that it is one of the best forums for strengthening the profession and providing a national platform for healthcare architects.”

A veteran practitioner with over 30 years of experience dedicated to healthcare architecture, Griffin brings a career-long commitment to improving lives through the built environment. From the early days of his career at WHR, Charles has been part of the dedicated team of pioneers that have helped to put evidence-based design on the healthcare design agenda. Over the years he has participated in a range of research studies and was the first of WHR’s owners to achieve Evidence-based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC).

Griffin is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Texas Society of Architects (TSA) and is one of the 50 founding members of the American College of Healthcare Architects. He was an active member of the AIA National Building Performance and Regulations Committee and the Construction Industry Council for the City of Houston. A graduate of the University of Houston where he received his Bachelor of Architecture degree, he is also a Board Certified Healthcare Architect.

Among his recent and current projects are the REX UNC Healthcare North Carolina Heart & Vascular Hospital in Raleigh, the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital South Building Overbuild in New Brunswick, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, and Stamford Health System.

WHR Architects is a full service architecture, interior design and technology planning firm. The firm’s commitment to critical thinking is balanced by an ingrained empathy that results in both improved project outcomes and positive working experiences for their clients. With over 140 people in Houston and Dallas, Texas, New Jersey, and Copenhagen the 34-year-old firm is working on projects worldwide for top–tier public and private education and medical institutions. Learn more online at www.whrarchitects.com or follow @whrarchitects on Twitter.