Howard Spivak and Dan Rootenberg, Spear CEO, were brought together as patient and therapist in 2004. Their relationship has evolved into a friendship as well as a successful partnership. Fourteen years on, the architect/client design collaboration has resulted in eighteen cutting-edge physical therapy clinics across NYC.

Howard and Dan and their teams have grown together. Starting with their personal and patient therapist relationship, they then included their teams into the process helping to evolve the practice. Dan and Howard share a common team-oriented approach to their practices, the treatment of patients and design studio. This perspective is reflected in the design of the spaces, reinforcing Spear’s approach to patient treatment. As their shared vision has evolved, the spaces and the approach to care evolved along with it. Their teams are continually reflecting, evaluating the design and approach to treatment and exploring new approaches.

Through the use of natural materials, thoughtful integration of inherent elements, and a commitment to intimate treatment areas and cool, open workout spaces, we are designing holistic clinics where design reinforces patient care, and gives equal weight to the practical and the ethereal. Different zones are demarcated by varying ceiling heights and floor finishes and textures, making them easily identifiable for both patient and therapist, while retaining the openness of the space