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EwingCole Named Winner Among 14th Annual IIDA Healthcare Design Awards for City of Hope’s Hope Plaza
Philadelphia, PA (October 2025) – EwingCole is proud to announce that the firm has been named a winner of the 14th Annual IIDA Healthcare Design Awards, in the Ambulatory/Cancer Center category, for its work on City of Hope’s Hope Plaza in Duarte, California. Presented by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the awards celebrate creativity and innovation in the design of healthcare environments across fifteen categories, including Ambulatory, Extended Care and Assisted Living Facilities, and Hospitals.
“Hope Plaza represents a welcoming environment that supports emotional wellbeing from the very first step on campus,” said Mary Frazier, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, LEED AP, EwingCole’s Director of Healthcare Planning. “We wanted every design gesture, from the movement of light to the sound of water, to signal a place of compassion, strength, and hope.”
A panel of healthcare design professionals reviewed the entries, including Brent Capron, IIDA, AIA (Corgan), Katy Frey, IIDA (Kahler Slater), and Lindsey Stemle, IIDA (Stengel Hill).
“This year’s winning firms exemplify how design can transform, not just within a space but how those experiencing it feel,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, on behalf of the jury. “Creating thoughtful spaces that not only bring comfort to patients but also empower staff with efficient and human-centered solutions.”
Designed with Purpose
EwingCole’s interior design for Hope Plaza focuses on creating a calming, intuitive, and uplifting environment for patients and caregivers alike. Inspired by the surrounding desert landscape and seasonal light patterns, the design uses natural materials and a timeless palette to connect visitors with nature and instill a sense of calm. A modular planning strategy supports flexibility and adaptability to evolving care delivery models, while daylight-filled infusion bays and perimeter workspaces ensure both patients and staff benefit from views, natural light, and comfort throughout the day.
Through evidence-based research and simulation modeling, EwingCole and design partner CO Architects refined a configuration that reduced patient walking distances and improved operational efficiency. Within this framework, carefully curated details—vibrant accents, playful lighting, and artwork—introduce moments of joy and emotional relief, transforming Hope Plaza into a space that balances empathy and evidence to support healing in every sense.
Hope Plaza was designed in collaboration with California-based architecture firm, CO Architects, and has previously been honored with the Calibre Design Award (Healthcare Category), the Best of Calibre Design Award, and the Gold Interior Design Award from Healthcare Design Magazine.
