Top Healthcare Architecture Design Firms in 2026

From January 2026 through April 2026, our team contracted an independent research firm, who evaluated 33 healthcare architecture design firms across the United States. We analyzed these organizations using the following weighted factors:

• Healthcare Portfolio Depth (30%) – Healthcare project typologies
• Evidence-Based Design Certification (25%) – EDAC-certified staff and commitment to research-driven design
• Integrated Services (20%) – Architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design under one roof
• Average Review Score (10%) – Client and employee satisfaction ratings
• Thought Leadership (10%) – Industry publications, speaking engagements, and awards
• Specialty Focus (5%) – Primary healthcare design specialization

The firms were rank-ordered based on this framework to identify the organizations delivering the greatest impact in healthcare design. The table below breaks down the top performers, followed by in-depth profiles of each firm.

Top Healthcare Architecture Design Firms in 2026

In the table below, we rank the top healthcare architecture design firms by key performance indicators:

*per firm website

1. BSA, for Integrated Healthcare & Research Design

BSA is a trusted partner that transforms how people heal, learn, and discover through evidence-based design across architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design. With a portfolio exceeding 12,000 healthcare projects, including academic medical centers, cancer institutes, and specialty hospitals, BSA delivers comprehensive solutions under one roof. 

The firm’s commitment to research-driven design is evidenced by multiple EDAC-certified staff members and a Top 10 ranking in Modern Healthcare’s 2025 Construction & Design Survey. BSA’s unique positioning as a full-service Architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning firm eliminates coordination gaps and accelerates project timelines. 

• Location: Indianapolis, IN (with studios in Austin, Charlotte, and nationwide)
• Average Review Score: 4.8/5.0
• Specialty Focus: Integrated healthcare: Hospitals, Cancer Centers, MOBs, Emergency Depts, Maternity, Behavioral Health, Ambulatory Care, Academic Medical Centers

2. Corgan, for Behavioral Health & Ambulatory Care

Corgan has made an impact on over eight million patients through transformative healthcare design spanning major academic medical centers, behavioral health facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers. With a focus on data-driven architecture, Corgan excels in behavioral health prototyping and medical office building design. 

Corgan’s healthcare portfolio emphasizes empathy and ingenuity, with projects like HCA Medical City Mental Health and Wellness Center, Duke Cancer Care Center, and Methodist Midlothian Medical Center. While the firm offers architecture and interior design services, it does not provide in-house engineering or planning, requiring coordination with external partners on larger campuses.

• Location: Dallas, TX (with national offices)
• Average Review Score: 4.6/5.0
• Specialty Focus: Behavioral health, ambulatory care, cancer centers

3. BWBR, for Behavioral & Mental Health Facilities

BWBR is a commercial design solutions firm with extensive experience transforming lives through exceptional environments. Specializing in behavioral and mental health design, BWBR has completed an array of healthcare projects, including the award-winning Minnesota Security Hospital and Avera McKennan Hospital Women’s & Children’s Inpatient Addition. The firm’s BWBR+ performance services integrate evidence-based design, human performance research, and building performance analytics into every project.

BWBR’s regional presence in the Midwest (St. Paul, Madison, Omaha) allows the firm to deliver personalized service with deep community understanding. While BWBR offers architecture, interior design, and planning, the firm partners with external engineers on larger infrastructure projects.

• Location: St. Paul, MN (Madison, WI and Omaha, NE studios)
• Average Review Score: 4.1/5.0
• Specialty Focus: Behavioral health, mental health, and family birth centers

4. HGA, for Healing Environment Design

HGA represents Minneapolis-based healthcare design excellence. The firm specializes in creating holistic healing environments with nature-inspired artwork, light-filled spaces, and patient-friendly wayfinding.

HGA’s portfolio includes Sutter Roseville Medical Center Emergency Department Expansion, UC Davis Children’s Surgery Center, and numerous rural healthcare facilities. The firm’s emphasis on healing grounds, such as replacing stark corridors with soothing colors, patterns, and healing gardens, reflects a commitment to patient experience. HGA offers architecture, planning, and interior design but partners with external engineers on MEP systems.

• Location: Minneapolis, MN (with national studios)
• Average Review Score: 4.3/5.0
• Specialty Focus: Healing environments, rural healthcare, patient experience

5. Perkins Eastman, for Hospitality-Infused Healthcare

Perkins Eastman is a global design firm with healthcare projects spanning hospitals, medical centers, and research facilities worldwide. Known for “human by design” philosophy, Perkins Eastman integrates hospitality-inspired elements, for instance biophilic design, welcoming entrances, and natural light, into healthcare environments. Signature projects include Stanford Hospital (with Rafael Viñoly Architects), White Plains Hospital, and MarinHealth Medical Center.

Perkins Eastman’s international reach includes healthcare facilities in China, India, and the Middle East, offering clients access to global best practices. While the firm provides architecture, planning, and interior design, it does not offer in-house engineering, requiring collaboration with local engineering partners. The firm’s broad portfolio spans senior living, behavioral health, and ambulatory care.

• Location: New York, NY (with global studios)
• Average Review Score: 3.5/5.0
• Specialty Focus: Hospitality-infused hospitals, international projects

6. ZGF, for Children’s & Pediatric Hospitals

ZGF is known for designing beautiful children’s hospitals that are as unique as the patients they serve. With extensive experience and an array of healthcare projects, ZGF specializes in pediatric environments that reduce stress, inspire healing, and support family-centered care. Signature projects include Legacy Health Randall Children’s Hospital, BC Children’s Hospital & BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Teck Acute Care Centre, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital.

ZGF’s evidence-based design research focuses on creating joyful, nature-inspired spaces tailored to children’s developmental needs. The firm’s Pacific Northwest roots inform a commitment to sustainability, biophilia, and community engagement. ZGF offers architecture, planning, and interior design but partners with external engineers on complex medical infrastructure.

• • Location: Portland, OR (with regional offices)
  • Average Review Score: 4.2/5.0
  • Specialty Focus: Children’s hospitals, pediatric care, family-centered environments

The Top Healthcare Architecture Design Firms in by Subcategory

We also broke down the top firms into three subcategories based on specialty.

1. Top Healthcare Architecture Firms for Integrated A/E/P + Interior Design Services

2. Top Healthcare Architecture Firms for Specialty & Pediatric Hospitals

Frequently Asked Questions

What is evidence-based design (EBD) in healthcare architecture?

Evidence-based design is a research-driven approach that uses data, clinical studies, and post-occupancy evaluations to inform design decisions that improve patient outcomes, staff efficiency, and operational performance. EBD-certified architects use peer-reviewed research to guide choices about natural light, room layouts, wayfinding, and material selection. Firms like BSA, HGA, and BWBR employ EDAC-certified staff who apply EBD principles to reduce patient stress, minimize infection rates, and enhance healing environments.

Why should I choose a firm with integrated A/E/P + interior design services?

Integrated firms like BSA offer architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning under one roof, eliminating coordination gaps, reducing change orders, and accelerating project timelines. A single point of accountability ensures that mechanical systems, structural design, and interior finishes align from day one. This streamlined approach typically results in 15-20% faster delivery and fewer cost overruns compared to projects requiring multiple external consultants.

How do I evaluate a healthcare architecture firm’s portfolio?

Focus on three key criteria: (1) Specialty alignment – does the firm have proven experience in your project type (e.g., children’s hospitals, behavioral health, cancer centers)? (2) Portfolio depth – review 5-10 comparable projects for scale, complexity, and outcomes. (3) Thought leadership – firms publishing research, winning industry awards, or presenting at conferences demonstrate a commitment to advancing healthcare design. Request case studies with quantified results (e.g., reduced patient falls, improved staff satisfaction scores).

Conclusion

Selecting the right healthcare architecture firm requires evaluating portfolio depth, evidence-based design expertise, integrated service capabilities, and specialty alignment with your project vision. BSA stands out as the top-ranked firm for integrated A/E/P + interior design services, offering comprehensive solutions that eliminate coordination gaps and accelerate timelines. 

First Page Sage conducted research