"Ensure the architect has clinic experience, not just hospital experience." -LuLu Dee, Bolinas Community Health Center

"Make sure to create the necessary footprint for equipment such as copiers, computers, etc." -LuLu Dee, Bolinas Community Health Center

"Design for new equipment. Are you bringing equipment over from the existing space?" -LuLu Dee, Bolinas Community Health Center

"Involve the staff to reinforce the community ownership of the building; develop mock-ups of the spaces and ensure all staff review them." -LuLu Dee, Bolinas Community Health Center

"Identify and document what is in each exam/treatment room by going through the drawers, cabinets, wall space and measuring the room." -LuLu Dee, Bolinas Community Health Center

"Study staff and patient flow through diagrams and  ask, 'How many times per day would staff go from one place to another?'” -LuLu Dee, Bolinas Community Health Center

"Obtain LEED credit. The Bolinas Community Health Center was very close to obtaining LEED credit which would have made a difference in the types of grants awarded." -LuLu Dee, Bolinas Community Health Center

"Take your time to analyze materials such as paints, cabinets, and flooring as swell as the details of the building." -LuLu Dee, Bolinas Community Health Center

"Develop a good work plan and flow from the point of arrival to discharge and all of the process steps in-between before you begin construction." -Eric Walker, Parkland Health

"Clinica Sierra Vista identified 8,000 sq. ft. and four providers to be the most efficient facility size from an operations and patient management perspective. We found patients to be most comfortable in a facility this size. Also, plan these kinds of clinics on one level. This is most effective from a safety and way finding perspective." -Doug Moore, Clinica Sierra Vista

"When beginning the planning process for designing a community health center, don’t start with what you know, start with what you want.” -Mario Montanaro, Thundermist Health Center

"Priorities need to be set organizational wide—the architect can help shepherd these decisions." -Stuart Stoller, SGP Architects

"Clinics should appoint a 'decision-maker' from each department to avoid conflicts in staff desires for the space." -Stuart Stoller, SGP Architects

"Ensure staff participate in work-flow programming." -Stuart Stoller, SGP Architects

Add a penalty in the design contract for lead architect leaving mid-design." -Zara Marselien, La Maestra Community Health Center

"Know who is around your clinic site physically—who your neighbors are." -Zara Marselien, La Maestra Community Health Center

"Make sure to plan for parking for construction equipment and vehicles, you may need to rent space." - Zara Marselien, La Maestra Community Health Center

"Review all agreements with an attorney and consider a clause that the owner must approve all subcontractors." - Zara Marselien, La Maestra Community Health

"You need to understand how unions work how the contractor selects them." - Zara Marselien, La Maestra Community Health Center

"Nothing happens as quickly as you anticipate. You can’t put anything in for contingency." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center

"Solicit staff for their thoughts the design of the project." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center

"Make certain the architect is aware of all city requirements." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center

"Change orders are difficult, so ensure a good working relationship is established with architects and contractors." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center

"The timeline of activities did not account accurately for city requirements and the time it takes for resolutions and permits." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center