Becker’s Healthcare Podcast James Mladucky on Flexible Design and Strategic Growth at IU Health
Feb 28, 2026
James Mladucky, Vice President of Design and Construction at Indiana University Health, is an architect and planner focused on adaptable, tech-ready healthcare facilities. He talks about designing flexible bays and structural systems for future uses. He explains preparing buildings for AI and connectivity. He outlines strategic, statewide construction priorities to attract specialists and boost research capacity.
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Design For Lifetime Flexibility
- Flexibility in hospital design minimizes lifetime adaptation cost.
- IU Health set bay sizes to fit two patient rooms, one OR, three exam rooms, two imaging rooms, or wet bench research to enable future repurposing.
Overprovision Infrastructure For Unknown Tech
- Technology evolves faster than construction, so buildings must over-provision infrastructure.
- IU Health increased data capacity and power planning early to support future AI and unknown tech during a 66-month project.
Double Power Capacity Now
- Double typical power per square foot to future-proof academic health centers.
- IU Health doubled power density, added a new switch yard, and planned for a possible microgrid and solar integration.