The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System Medical Center in New Orleans (SLVHCS) features nine buildings uniquely specified to aid the more than 70,000 vets who visit each year. Veteran-specific design includes straight, long stairways, without switchbacks to increase visibility; blind corners were also minimized. Bathrooms are prominently located, as many vets travel from rural areas. Accessibility was championed, with ample and easy wheelchair storage at the entrance.“To design for this specialized patient population and its healthcare needs, we recruited over 100 veterans and 180 VA hospital staff from Louisiana—many of whom are vets themselves—f