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Behavioral Health Design in 2025: Where We Are, Where We’re Headed

Shiva Mendez

HOK’s Behavioral Health practice leader reflects on the trends and challenges influencing design for behavioral care environments.

In late 2023, HOK launched a specialized practice focused on behavioral health after seeing a need for trauma-informed wellness design in projects beyond just healthcare. As our Behavioral Health Center of Expertise now enters its second full year, it feels like a good time to share some of the lessons we’ve learned in designing spaces that support behavioral and mental health needs.

Expanding the Reach of Behavioral Health Design

The growing emphasis on behavioral health has broadened its integration into diverse building typologies. Once confined to standalone facilities, behavioral health design is now influencing schools, workplaces, housing, correctional centers and more. This shift responds to a rising awareness and the destigmatizing of mental health issues. Teletherapy, resilience apps, and community-based care networks have become vital tools for supporting mental well-being. So, too, has architecture.

Behavioral health is an integral part of addressing challenges like homelessness and incarceration through access to programs that foster stabilization, assist recovery and de-criminalize mental disorders. This integration aligns with HOK’s mission to create environments that are culturally aware, patient-centric and engaging. Design for these facilities supports activity-based therapies such as art, music, movement, cooking, and horticulture to provide a multitude of positive engagement opportunities.

Image: Joliet Inpatient Treatment Center (Illinois)

The Healing Power of Trauma-Informed Design

Trauma-informed design has emerged as a cornerstone of behavioral health architecture. It’s important to  recognize the impact of trauma—whether individual or generational—when designing environments that promote trust, safety, and empowerment. Features such as natural light, biophilic elements, noise mitigation, and adaptable spaces help reduce stress and encourage healing.

This approach extends beyond healthcare facilities. Schools, workplaces, and community centers increasingly adopt trauma-informed principles to support broader mental health needs. By considering the physical and psychological well-being of occupants, architecture can foster resilience and recovery.


Image: Mark Ridley-Thomas Behavioral Health Center (Los Angeles)

Innovative Projects Driving Change

HOK has had the privilege of contributing to several transformative projects that exemplify our commitment to behavioral health design:

BayCare Saint Joseph’s North Med-Psych Unit (Tampa, FL): This integrated unit addresses the dual needs of psychiatric and medically acute patients. With safety as a priority, the design incorporates ligature-resistant fixtures, sensory rooms and remote monitoring technologies. By seamlessly blending medical and psychiatric care and cross-trained staff, the unit provides environment that prioritizes holistic patient needs.

Crisis Stabilization Units: HOK has worked with several clients to add crisis stabilization units to their trauma care. These facilities, either co-located with emergency departments or as stand-alone units, provide specialized care for behavioral health emergencies. Open layouts enhance observation and patient engagement, reducing reliance on restraints and inpatient admission, improving efficiency and outcomes for those in crisis.

Davidson County Behavioral Care Center (Memphis, TN): Designed as a diversion unit for low-level offenders, this facility integrates trauma-informed principles to stabilize patients and connect them with community support systems. Upon admission to the Behavioral Care Center, patients are put on a treatment plan and begin therapy with providers. The BCC’s process and design allows for most patients to be discharged in 3-7 days with continued support from social service agencies.  The building’s trauma-informed design includes extensive daylighting, nature murals, and acoustically optimized spaces to create calm in a typically stressful environment and facilitate faster recovery and reintegration.

Forensic Psychiatric Facilities & Competency Restoration Units: HOK has worked with several clients to develop high-security psychiatric hospitals dedicated to forensic psychiatric services. As state laws shift in addressing underlying behavioral health issues and the criminal justice system, as well as the rising number of long-term commitments, many jurisdictions are facing the shortage of competency restoration services. Some are adding these services either in the detention setting or building dedicated high security beds that balance the mission of competency assessment and restoration with long-term therapeutic goals and security needs of this unique client population.

Image: Western State Forensic Hospital (Washington)

Trends Shaping the Future

Looking ahead, several trends are shaping our approach to behavioral health design. These include:

  • Integrated Care Models: The line between behavioral health and physical healthcare services will continue to blur, with more facilities adopting integrated models that emphasize holistic, patient-centered care.
  • Community-Centered Solutions: Facilities will increasingly serve as hubs for community engagement, fostering collaboration among healthcare providers, social services, and local organizations.
  • Technology-Enhanced Spaces: Telehealth capabilities, remote monitoring, and advanced safety systems will become standard features in behavioral health environments, enhancing accessibility and care quality.
  • Cross-Typology Adoption: Behavioral health principles will influence a wider range of building types, from workplaces to educational institutions, reflecting a societal commitment to mental well-being.

A Vision for 2025 and Beyond

Our journey underscores a critical truth: the integration of behavioral health principles into healthcare facilities (and beyond) is essential to creating spaces that connect, empower, and heal. As we enter 2025, HOK’s Behavioral Health Center of Expertise remains committed to advancing design solutions that address the complex and evolving needs of behavioral health care. The challenges ahead are significant, but so is the potential for thoughtful, evidence-based design. By integrating these principles, fostering innovation, and collaborating with communities, we aim to create environments that empower individuals and strengthen the impact of the built environment.

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