For more than 10 years, Laurena has focused her work on healthcare interior design. And in that work, empathy is key. Laurena considers the users—from patients to family members to staff—and works to create an environment that supports them as well as encourages better health outcomes.
Collaborating with architects, engineers, and clients, Laurena finds the solutions that best suit their goals. From high-level visioning through all phases of the design process, she ensures that intent is met during construction. Such was the case with the Women’s Auxiliary Volunteers (WAV) PlayPark at SickKids Hospital in Toronto. A volunteer-led space, it creates a positive atmosphere for the siblings of children in care, a point that was key in the visioning process.
After winning an Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) award of merit, the WAV PlayPark and Laurena were featured in PRISM, an architectural publication, as well as interiors+sources, a publication that focuses on the accomplishments of commercial interior designers.
Recently, Laurena began work on her interdisciplinary master’s degree in art and architectural history, graphic design and visual communication, and environmental psychology. Her goal? Move the healthcare interior design paradigm forward by connecting design to users more thoughtfully. But, if she isn’t designing, studying, or leading projects, Laurena might be doing loads upon loads of laundry for her two young kids.
