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

Elisha Lorenzi is the owner of EML Interiors. She is certified by the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID).

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

I love listening to the podcast How I Built This on NPR. Their interviews are with average people who had a vision or an idea and created amazing businesses. Their stories are so inspiring!

What products have you been excited about recently?

I mostly get excited about new introductions for products that perform well in the healthcare environment. Walking through Product Expo at conventions or NeoCon can give you that boost of inspiration for a new design or refresh your memory on products you forgot were out there.

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

You have to fully understand who you are designing the environment for. Always do your research. There is no one correct solution when designing a healthcare space. Every facility runs their hospital differently. So a certain design may work for one but not another. I am constantly looking at design magazines, pinterest and google images to keep up on the latest trends.

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

Nothing. My ignorance of the healthcare design industry early in my career made me into the designer I am today. An opportunity came my way while I was still in college, and I realized it’s what I was destined to do. I wouldn't change a thing.

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

I think in every project you come across a product you wish existed. I'd like to see a sterilization lighting system in every type of room that can be turned on quickly between patients to help eliminate the spread of germs. Another idea is a voice-activated system that works all the devices in a single patient room with a privacy mode, so personal information cannot be heard by other sources.

We've also talked to Shelby Frye (Pulse Design Group, Sarah Tetens (Baskervill), Becky Trybus (Forum Architecture & Interior Design), Kari Allen (Guidon Design), Crystal McCauley (CallisonRKTL), Jennifer Bahan (Hoefer Welker), Char Hawkins (DesignGroup), Pete Agnew (Perkins Eastman), Deirdre Pio (Gawron Turgeon), Jessica Whitlock (RS&H), Amber Williams (KDA Architecture), Jenny Manansala (Stantec), Andrea Kingsbury (FreemanWhite), and more.

‍