This post is in a series where we talk to healthcare interior designers about their work as interior designers in the healthcare market.

Kari Allen is a Senior Healthcare Architect at Guidon Design.

What is one book, person, or talk that has been most influential in your career?

Two of the most influential books that have guided my career and approach to career development are Linchpin: Are You Indispensable by Seth Godin and Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki. Both of these books encouraged me to do the best job I am able to do no matter my position, role, experience or hierarchy. I read these early in my career, and they instilled in me that I can be an important part of a team no matter the tasks I have on a project. I approach everything I do as if I am the right person for that job, have something to give, and have something to learn.

What products have you been excited about recently?

I am excited about the evolution of sliding doors and their hardware. Sliding doors can in many ways operate and be secured as a typical swing door.

Do you have any go-to design solutions or techniques for creating healing environments?

The Center for Health Design is my go-to for technical information, design best practices and for regulatory documentation tools. They have a great toolbox of articles, webinars, risk assessment tools, interactive room planning tools, etc.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

I would tell my younger self to have a bit more fun, that the hard work will pay off and one moves on from mistakes. I would also tell her that life is an experiment – enjoy trying new things, read all the books, and buy all the shoes.

What is one product that doesn't exist but should?

A product that I think would be awesome that I have yet to find is a beautiful, non-woven, smooth and wipeable cubicle curtain. The cubicle in healthcare does so much to help keep things flexible, expandable, and private. They can also be an infection control problem and logistical nightmare to keep them clean, but they always sneak in to increase patient privacy and the patient’s experience. I would like to see the cubicle curtain evolve in relationship to STC and infection control.

We've also talked to Shelby Frye (Pulse Design Group), Elisha Lorenzi (EML Interiors), Sarah Tetens (Baskervill), Becky Trybus (Forum Architecture & Interior Design), Crystal McCauley (CallisonRKTL), Jennifer Bahan (Hoefer Welker), Char Hawkins (DesignGroup), Pete Agnew (Perkins Eastman), Deirdre Pio (Gawron Turgeon), Jessica Whitlock (RS&H), Amber Williams (KDA Architecture), Jenny Manansala (Stantec), Andrea Kingsbury (FreemanWhite), and more.