Advancing Human-Centred Design in Critical Care
ICUs are among the most advanced environments in healthcare—but for patients and families, they can feel overwhelming and isolating. While advanced monitoring and life-saving equipment play a critical role, they can unintentionally overshadow the human experience of those in their care. Patients often face a loss of choice, control, and communication—adding emotional and psychological challenges to already critical conditions.
At Cumulus, we understand the power design has in transforming how we experience healthcare, not only for patients, but also for families and care teams. This perspective is at the core of a new article recently published in ICU Management & Practice co-authored by Cumulus Principal and Healthcare Architect Lisa Tobin.
“Humanising the ICU Through Thoughtful Design,” explores how the built environment and modes of communication can significantly influence patient outcomes—helping to restore dignity, connection, and comfort by addressing sensory, emotional, and cognitive needs.
The article was co-authored by an interdisciplinary team bringing together diverse perspectives from healthcare, design, and research. Alongside Lisa, contributors include Sarah Prodor, Architect and Nurse with Translate Health; Keith Francis, Associate Senior Director of Human Factors at Forge Media + Design; and Lia Tsotsos, Director of Research & Innovation at Sheridan College. This collaboration underscores the importance of integrating architectural design with clinical insight, human factors, and academic research to create ICU environments that are not only technically advanced but also profoundly human-centred.
This article reminds us that humanising the ICU is not a distant vision; the possibilities are already here. By bringing together the humanities and science through the lens of design thinking, innovation can flourish. The result is a more holistic approach to critical care, where patients, families, staff, technology, and the built environment interact in ways that restore dignity, connection, and well-being.
Lisa’s contribution reinforces Cumulus’ commitment to evidence-based design that is demonstrated across our portfolio. By integrating research, clinical collaboration, and design innovation, we create environments where advanced technology supports the humanity at the centre of care.
Read the article: Humanising the ICU Through Thoughtful Design
Interested in learning more? In recent years Canadian Institute’s Forum on Healthcare Infrastructure has explored how to take an empathetic approach to design–one that recognizes the person in the patient. CI is hosting special complimentary webinar that will delve deeper into this topic with the co-authors of this article. Register below.
