Sam W. Burnette

Originally from Nashville, Sam joined ESa full-time in 1983, after earning a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Tennessee (with honors) and working for the firm part-time for three years prior. In his role as Principal and Senior Designer, he fosters repeat relationships through the project design process, while providing exceptional design outcomes. Sam, who is also a member of Healthcare Design magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board, believes that design is “for people—their safety, wellness and enjoyment of the completed facility.”

In addition to conducting programming, master planning and research initiatives, Sam has designed a wide range of medical facilities across the country and abroad—hospitals, medical office buildings, outpatient surgery centers, cancer treatment and senior living facilities. Notable domestic projects include St. Anthony Hospital (Lakewood, CO) and The Villages Regional Hospital, MOB and Moffitt Cancer Center (The Villages, FL); significant international experience includes a master plan for American Hospital of Budapest (Budapest, Hungary) and a children’s hospital, campus master plan and The Manukau Elective Surgery Hospital at Middlemore Hospital (Auckland, New Zealand).

Sam considers his greatest professional accomplishment actively mentoring some of the next generation, both at ESa and in the greater community. An active member of The AIA, Sam has served as Chairman of Events for local and state chapter. Sam also serves on the Missions Committee and on the teaching staff at his church. For 12 years, he served as a board member of Jovenes en Camino, a Christian-based boys’ home in Honduras. When he is not in the office or on project trips, Sam enjoys sunsets and early mornings with his wife on their deck, golfing and fishing with his teenage sons every chance he gets.