RESOURCES

In 2010, HCD Architecture came to me with a monumental sculpture request, to create a captivating sculpture for Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The hospital sought a striking sculpture installation to adorn the corner of 89th and Dodge Street. I was granted creative freedom to conceptualize and design the installation. My inspiration […]

You need a sculpture for your hospital, senior care facility, corporate office, or local park, but you don’t know where to start. What type of sculpture would best suit the environment? Where would be the best placement? How do I find a qualified artist? So many questions that it can become overwhelming. Our checklist will […]

Every day, you probably walk or drive past some type of public art in your town or city. It might be a monumental sculpture in a public park. Maybe it’s a large, colorful mural that adorns the facade of an otherwise plain building. It might be intricate landscape architecture or a touching bronze memorial that […]

What is Evidence-Based Design? Over the past 24 years, the specialized field of study known as “Evidence-Based Design” has gained considerable influence in the world of health care. Created by the non-profit Center for Healthcare Design, Evidence-Based Design shows medical facilities how to reconfigure their physical spaces to promote healthier environments for patients and staff. […]

For Matthew Placzek, Monumental Efforts Result in Beautiful Monumental Sculptures Many of Matthew’s custom monumental sculptures are created through the art of bronze casting. Each sculpture begins as a figure molded out of oil-based clay, a pliant material which gives the artist ample opportunities to make alterations. (To give some perspective about the amount of […]

Acrylic Butterfly Sculpture Inspiration Gardens Butterflies are deep and powerful representations of life. Many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls. Around the world, people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope, and life. The butterfly makes important appearances on the stage of human beliefs and understanding. Interestingly, in many cultures, the butterfly is […]

Contemporary Garden Design Ideas and Functions How Healing Gardens Work Healing gardens have contributed to the holistic development of people for centuries. Technological advances have decreased the use of natural resources in the medical field, yet more recently, there has been a growing interest in the healing effects of nature. Researchers, Kaplan and Ulrich, support […]

Healing Garden Design Healing gardens are thoughtfully created environments that provide a variety of sensory experiences, and natural flora and fauna that promote the alleviation of stress, a connection with nature, and feelings of safety and comfort. History of Healing Garden Design For centuries, healing gardens have been recognized as a place of recovery and […]

Water Feature Sculpture Insights and Example Creating a healing garden with a water feature sculpture can be challenging, because of balance.  The cool, soothing sound of the water is beneficial to the patient and the elements of sight, sound and touch are important to the healing process. Commissioning a sculptor who has envisioned the environment […]

A medical center is design by a vast amount of people who have a vision. Architects, builders, and creative directors form a team to create a home for patients, as well as a place of healing. A medical center is first designed on a blueprint and then brought to life. The development process revolves around […]