Every healthcare experience begins well before a patient sees their doctor. From the moment someone arrives, whether for a routine check-up or serious diagnosis, the built environment plays a crucial role in shaping how that care is delivered and experienced.
As demand rises due to an aging population, chronic illnesses and advanced technologies, healthcare construction is projected to reach $354 billion by 2029. [1] This surge brings an urgent need for patient-centered spaces, especially in behavioral health and oncology. At Riley, we’re answering the call by building smarter, safer, and more empathetic environments to enhance patient experiences.
Designs that Reduce Anxiety and Foster Trust
Uncertainty often marks the start of a healthcare journey. A well-designed entrance, visible reception and welcoming waiting area can ease anxiety. Clear wayfinding, whether via signage or digital kiosks, helps patients navigate large campuses more easily and improve operational flow.
Even before arrival, cloud-based tools let patients schedule visits and prepare remotely, smoothing their transition into care. In outpatient rooms, design elements reduce anxiety and noise. For longer stays, infection prevention and comfort are key. For example, handwashing sinks near room entrances promote hygiene, while HEPA filtration systems and UV light minimize infection risks and condensation at windows.[2]
Safety and Dignity in Behavioral Health Spaces
Behavioral health is one of the fastest-growing healthcare sectors[3] and thoughtful design and construction planning can support recovery and encourage patients to continue treatment.
Renovations must prioritize safety with anti-ligature fixtures, tamper-proof caulking, and materials that can’t be weaponized. Ceiling tiles must be securely affixed, coat hooks eliminated, and the corners of furniture should be rounded. Stainless steel replaces ceramic in bathrooms to prevent breakage, and doors may have cutaway designs for visibility.
At Riley, our team is trained to work with elevated protocols: tools are inventoried daily, staff work in pairs for additional supervision, and milestone reviews are conducted with owners to proactively identify and resolve risks. In our work with Compass Health Center we added group therapy and sensory rooms with calming and natural light, sound absorption, and enhanced ventilation.
Cancer Treatment Spaces That Support Healing
Patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or diagnostic testing often spend extended periods in one place, and the environment they’re in matters greatly.
That means planning spaces that are soothing and quiet. At Ascension All Saints Hospital Cancer Center, we doubled the facility’s size and added features like sunlit infusion bays, calming decor and a “healing terrace.” These aren’t just aesthetic choices – they support well-being during long, stressful treatments.
For the Cancer Center at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie, wayfinding was critical as Riley’s team had to relocate its entrance and keep its new linear accelerator (LINAC), an innovative radiation therapy machine, open throughout construction. Backlit nature photos and changing-color lights were also added to help ease patient anxiety.
With immunocompromised patients, precise planning isn’t just best practice; it’s a lifesaving necessity. We follow stringent healthcare safety protocols, and the crew often works off-hours and on weekends to accommodate infection control installation and minimize noise and disruptions. Riley adheres to all relevant codes, including Life Safety and ASHRAE air quality standards, to deliver the highest levels of quality and safety.
Building Capacity for the Future of Healthcare
We don’t just build for now, we build for what’s next. With rising mental health needs,[4] and a projected 20% increase in cancer cases over the next decade, healthcare systems must expand capacity and design for flexibility and scalability.
That includes helping clients make tough decisions based around budgets, patient flow, and experience. Riley supports clients through strategic capital planning helping healthcare leaders prioritize wisely.
At Riley Construction, we’re proud to partner with leading health systems to create spaces where safety, compassion, and clinical excellence meet. From behavioral health renovations to cancer centers, our work reflects a simple truth: when you build for healing, you build for people.
Learn more about Riley’s previous healthcare construction projects here. Reach out to Chris Meier, Project Executive at chrism@rileycon.com or Franz Lehner, Project Executive at franzl@rileycon.com to discuss how Riley can help on your next healthcare project.