Houston, Texas – Confirming its commitment to research as a critical component of their practice, WHR Architects announced that Laurie Waggener , RRT, IIDA, AAHID has joined the firm as part of their Knowledge Resource Studio. WHR, a recognized leader in the field evidence-based design, has long supported research endeavors across the practice, however, Ms. Waggener’s role is a new position in the firm. 

“We are especially pleased to have Laurie Waggener as part of our team,” said David H. Watkins FAIA, Chairman and Founding Principal of the firm.  “Like WHR, she has been a pioneer in making the connection between better evidence, better design decisions, and better outcomes. She will be a valuable resource to our people and, by extension, to the people we serve — patients, medical staff, students, teachers and administrators.”

Ms. Waggener’s exceptional experience in two careers makes especially well suited to her new role. Her background as a clinical manager in respiratory care enables her to approach projects as a patient care and medical staff advocate from a functional as well as an aesthetic design viewpoint. Her training, and 15 years as a practicing design professional, provide her with an insider’s understanding of the design process and its possibilities.

“Joining WRH Architects is like coming home, culturally and intellectually,” Waggener comments. “ “The firm’s work in evidence-based design, the collaborative environment, and their dedication to improving the health, safety and welfare of the people who use the spaces they design, all resonate with my own beliefs. It is a place where I can make a first-hand contribution to a critical body of knowledge.”

Already at work with WRH team, Ms. Waggener is framing the issues from both a healthcare operation’s point of view and that of the architect to improve the design decision-making. She will be actively involved in identifying worthy areas for research and accessing credible evidence for specific projects.

Ms. Waggener earned a Bachelor of Interior Design from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from St. Mary’s Dominican College. A founding member of the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers, she is also a member of the International Interior Design Association. Her projects, articles and interviews have been widely published and she speaks frequently on her research at professional meetings.

For more information on WHR Architects, visit www.whrarchitects.com .   

Contact
Nancy Egan
National PR Consultant
New Voodou
310-943-7194
[email protected]

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