From Cubicles to Community: Putting Human Connection First
University Hospitals
Services
Interior Design
Workplace Strategy
Furniture Planning
Sustainable Design Solutions
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Program Highlights
Open Office Neighborhoods
Private Offices
Conference Rooms
Veale Initiative Hub
Breakout Spaces
Wellness Areas
Lounge Areas
University Hospitals’ Administrative Headquarters was once a sea of cubicles, an environment that hindered collaboration and failed to reflect the cutting-edge reputation UH has cultivated across its healthcare system. With employees returning to the office after a challenging period of remote work and overloaded medical systems, UH needed a workplace that not only supported productivity, but also nurtured wellbeing and community.
The workplace is now a cohesive and flexible headquarters that represents UH’s values of compassionate care, collaboration, and innovation while planning for future growth.
From Cubicles to Neighborhoods
+Detail reimagined the corporate headquarters through a workplace strategy rooted in community. Inspired by the idea of “neighborhoods,” the open office concept was divided into zones that provided variety, supported focused work, and created a sense of belonging. Employees were given both ownership of their space and freedom to choose environments that suited their needs, whether quiet corners for concentration or vibrant hubs for connection.
By balancing openness with privacy, +Detail created a design that honored the individuality of each department while aligning workflows for efficiency. Surveys and stakeholder engagement guided decisions, ensuring the space was both highly functional and deeply human-centered.
Planning for the Future
UH’s leadership emphasized growth and adaptability. +Detail carefully mapped desk and departmental adjacencies, strategically placing teams that frequently collaborate near each other. This intentional layout not only improved day-to-day efficiency but also positioned the headquarters for seamless expansion in the years to come, reducing the need for costly reconfigurations.
Sustainability was central to the redesign. Repurposed furniture from other UH facilities, recycled materials, and durable finishes sourced from within the U.S. reflected UH’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Demountable partitions by Falkbuilt minimized waste and doubled as writable, technology-equipped meeting surfaces, ensuring flexibility while reducing environmental impact.
A Warm Welcome Back to Work
Through artful touches and subtle details, +Detail created a workplace that warmly welcomed UH’s caregivers back. These values aligned with UH’s mission and brought a sense of calm, connection, and pride to employees returning to the office.
Hybrid and remote work realities were also addressed with intention. A desk reservation system allowed hybrid employees to book workstations in advance, while the same system extended to conference rooms for planned meetings. Collaborative areas were acoustically and digitally equipped to ensure that remote employees felt valued, included, and seamlessly connected with their in-office colleagues.
Interiorizing the Mission
At the heart of the project was UH’s commitment to let its mission and values emanate from the design itself. The headquarters now reflects the guiding principle of “One UH,” a unified identity across every hospital and office, where design reinforces the hospital’s dedication to compassion, care, and innovation.
Through close collaboration with UH stakeholders, +Detail ensured that the space came to life. From furniture layouts to acoustics for virtual meetings, every decision was made with UH’s team in mind, honoring their compassion and warmth while supporting their future growth.
The Veale Initiative Hub
One of the most distinctive features of the headquarters is the Veale Innovation Hub, a flexible and future-focused space for healthcare innovation. Drawing inspiration from fractals, geometric patterns that repeat and scale infinitely and mirror the scientific and medical innovation UH is known for, +Detail created a dynamic environment adaptable to both small gatherings and large group sessions.
At its core sits a hearth-like gathering space, designed with a variety of seating options and flexible power sources, functioning as both a symbolic anchor and a practical hub for collaboration. Demountable partitions allow the hub to evolve alongside UH Ventures’ needs, creating a versatile environment where ideas can flourish.
Outcomes
The impact of this transformation was felt immediately by UH employees and leadership:
Efficiency Gains: Departmental adjacency planning improved workflow and reduced inefficiencies, while desk and conference room reservation systems ensured seamless use of shared resources.
Employee Experience: The neighborhood-inspired layout, combined with areas for peace and collaboration, created a sense of belonging that fostered wellbeing, morale, and connection. Remote and hybrid employees reported feeling more included and supported.
Sustainability Impact: Repurposed furniture, recycled materials, and Falkbuilt demountable partitions significantly reduced waste while creating a design that can adapt to future growth with minimal environmental impact.
Photos Credit: Logan Ali
