This post is in a series where we talk to healthcare interior designers about their work in the healthcare market.

Amber Williams is an Interior Designer at KDA Architecture.

What is one book, person, or talk that has been most influential in your career?

It’s impossible to single out just one, but during my sophomore year in college, I was studying both Interior Design and Sociology and was torn between which to focus on. The book Personal Space: The Behavioral Basis of Design by Robert Sommer felt like it bridged the two fields in a profound way that encouraged me to pursue degrees in both simultaneously, which I’m so glad I did!

What products have you been excited about recently?

Products like Steelcase Convey that allow spaces to easily adapt and be flexible. Healthcare is constantly changing, and we need to anticipate these changes, not only programmatically, but also while being mindful of cost, time, and sustainability down the road. Stakeholders want assurance that their newly constructed spaces will remain beautiful and relevant when the next new technology or process enters the medical realm.

Do you have any go-to design solutions or techniques for creating healing environments?

There isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Every project is unique and requires detailed programming and evaluating the Environment of Care to produce a successful outcome. That being said, evidence shows that biophilic and sustainable design principles are essential in creating spaces that actively support health and wellbeing. I always keep this in mind when designing.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

When life is not good, it will get better. Be strong.

What is one product that doesn't exist but should?

A few that come to mind, and may even exist, but are not affordable or practical yet:

• A transparent material that can turn opaque as needed for privacy.
• A cleanable, hard surface flooring with high acoustical performance and anti-fatigue properties.
• Surface materials that disinfect themselves/are self-cleaning.
• Wireless power and/or a way to add more power to existing spaces without cords, conduit, or demolition.
• Concrete that doesn’t crack.

We've also talked to Elisha Lorenzi (EML Interiors), Sarah Tetens (Baskervill), Becky Trybus (Forum Architecture & Interior Design), Kari Allen (Guidon Design), Crystal McCauley (CallisonRTKL), Jennifer Bahan (Hoefer Wysocki), Char Hawkins (DesignGroup), Pete Agnew (Perkins Eastman), Deirdre Pio (Gawron Turgeon Architects), Jessica Whitlock (RS&H), Jenny Manansala (Stantec), Andrea Kingsbury (FreemanWhite), and more.

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