Case Study: Behavioral Health Allies | Circadia 

Behavioral Health Allies (BHA) is dedicated to helping children and young adults with developmental and behavioral challenges reach their full potential through compassionate, evidence-based education and care. Their team provides a complete continuum of services, from classroom learning to residential support, designed to help every individual grow in a space where they feel safe, valued and connected. Serving 92 individuals across 45 school districts and maintaining 30 residential homes, BHA’s mission extends beyond education, focusing on belonging, safety and dignity. 

When BHA’s leadership team began imagining a new academy environment, they knew it needed to do more than meet functional needs, it had to reflect their mission of belonging and hope. To make that vision a reality, BHA partnered with ACI Boland Architects, Colliers and Circadia to design and furnish a space with safe, calming and inspiring healthcare furniture solutions for students and staff. 

Situation 

In 2022, Behavioral Health Allies reached a turning point. Their original building, once a call center, had been creatively adapted into classrooms using materials such as modular LEGO walls but no longer supported the specialized programming and safety standards their students deserved. The space was bright and open but not purpose-built for the unique sensory and behavioral needs of their learners. 

Comfort and safety were a top priority in the new space, said Erin Wiercinski, M.Ed., CEO of Behavioral Health Allies. “We wanted a place students could be proud to belong to.” 

As enrollment grew, BHA began searching for a new home. After months of collaboration with real estate teams, they found a building in late 2023 that checked every box, a large, open structure with the potential to become the ideal environment for growth and stability for all students. 

However, there were challenges with the new space that the team had to consider in the design. The site’s proximity to Brush Creek introduced critical safety considerations, and the new building required significant renovation to meet accessibility, sensory and security needs. BHA needed partners who could think beyond just aesthetics, teams who understood how environmental design directly impacts the learning and well-being of students, particularly those with developmental or behavioral health challenges. 

That’s when Circadia and ACI Boland Architects joined forces to bring the vision to life. 

Solution 

Circadia’s goal was to ensure that every aspect of the new space, from furniture to finishes to function, supported BHA’s mission of empowerment and inclusion with trauma-informed design. The Circadia team worked hand-in-hand with Interior Design team members Krystal Gantz Fensky and Kayla Smith from ACI Boland Architects, as well as Erin Wiercinski and the team at Behavioral Health Allies, to develop an approach that balanced safety, durability and comfort. 

Creating Safety and Calm Through Design 

The design team emphasized calm, nature-inspired elements that encouraged focus and simplicity. A biophilic design approach incorporates natural textures, wood tones and color palettes inspired by the surrounding environment. The design also integrated color-coded wayfinding, with each age group or department assigned a specific palette and theme:

• Stepping Stones (Forest Green): Forest theme for grounding and growth 
• Purple Group: Mountain motif to represent stability and strength 
• Blue Crew: Water-inspired theme for calm and connection 
• EFL Orange: Prairie theme evoking openness and warmth 
• Cobblestones (Yellow): Dragonflies and sunshine for joy and optimism 

Custom wall graphics, soft lighting and acoustically considerate materials create an environment that feels both nurturing and engaging. “The built environment is really important,” shared ACI Boland’s team. “We asked, how can we protect students while creating a space that feels calm and dignified?” 

Circadia’s Comprehensive Role 

Circadia played a pivotal role in transforming the building’s functionality and feel through thoughtful healthcare furniture solutions. Their involvement included: 

• Furniture design and specification for both new products and reconfiguring existing workstations to be reused 
• Installation management, including anchoring select furniture to walls or floors for enhanced student safety 
• Managing window treatment removal and replacement for improved visibility and safety 
• Deep cleaning services through the Flooring division to refresh and maintain existing furniture 

Throughout the process, Circadia’s workplace consultants, installation experts and service team collaborated closely with the design and education staff to ensure every detail contributed to a secure, welcoming and lasting environment. 

Results

The completed Behavioral Health Allies Academy is a model of thoughtful, purpose-driven and trauma informed design. The new facility accommodates over 200 learners, more than double the previous capacity, and fosters a stronger sense of community for students and staff. 

BHA leadership has reported that the environment feels calmer, safer, and more cohesive, supporting the organization’s mission to help every learner succeed. The integrated color themes and natural elements not only enhance wayfinding but also promote focus and overall comfort. 

Circadia’s collaboration with manufacturers continues post-installation. The in-house Service Department monitors durability and warranty performance, providing feedback to manufacturers for product improvement and recommending alternative solutions where needed. This ongoing relationship ensures the environment remains high-performing and adaptive to evolving needs as students begin to use the space. 

Summary

For Circadia, the Behavioral Health Allies project represents the best of what design partnership can achieve, spaces that heal, support and inspire. 

From selecting and installing innovative healthcare furniture solutions to post-installation support, Circadia’s team provided a holistic approach that went beyond furnishing. By combining safety-focused planning, product evaluation and collaboration with both architects and BHA educators, Circadia helped create a learning environment that empowers every student to thrive. 

“Our goal was to ensure that the students and staff at BHA have a safe, functional and visually pleasing space that serves them now and for decades to come,” shared Becca Roth, Workplace Consultant at Circadia. 

What began as a connection at Circadia’s Behavioral Health Symposium has grown into a partnership built on purpose and care. The new Behavioral Health Allies space is more than a building, it’s a testament to what happens when design and compassion come together.