This $43 million tower includes revision
of work volume for an 90,000 square foot acute care tower that
includes 28 medical/surgical beds, 40 ICU beds (20 per floor),
imaging, nuclear medicine, chapel, parking, support and
mechanical space. The project also includes remodeling of the
emergency department to accommodate 70,000 patient visits per
year and a redefinition of the previously completed
masterplan.
The forces that shaped the process for the design of the new
acute care tower were driven by the Hospitals' mission,
vision and values to extend the highest level of healthcare
and improving the quality of life of the people in the
communities they serve.
The siting for the new Acute Care Tower was designed to create
clear visibility and identity from Medical Center Road. The
tower, clad in metal panels and exposed braced structural
frame will convey a sense of the highly technological
state-of-the-art activities contained within. Extensive
glazing will provide an abundance of natural light designed to
promote a healing environment for patients, families and an
enhanced working atmosphere for the staff. The Chapel is the
predominant and most relevant feature of the design of this
facility. The Chapel and Meditation Garden are located at the
core of the design. This strategic location at the entrance of
the new tower makes it readily available to the entire
community.
The essential form and character of the Chapel evolved into a
half cylinder form with an inclined glass roof structure
supported from the top by radial trusses. The dynamic play of
light and shadows through the day will fill the space with an
inspiring vitality and sense of healing and life.
The oriental theme of this Healing Garden with water displays
and beautiful planting invites meditation. It is defined by
low radiating walls from the Chapel and it is partially
visible from the Imaging department outpatient corridor. The
planting and hardscape selected evokes a Zen garden and
provides a soft counterpoint to the high tech background of
the tower's skin. The braced frame structural system
selected for the tower provides superior seismic performance.
It is boldly exposed as part of the buildings façade creating
a clear geometric order and a unique advanced image to the new
tower. This system reduces the size of columns and beams. The
main vertical systems such as elevators, stairs, mechanical
& electrical shafts are positioned outside the braced
floor area. These features maximize the floor area and
flexibility of the space to accommodate current and future
space programs.
The new hospital tower respects and retains the existing
building materials of metal panels and glass, using them in an
advanced and unique manner to establish it's own identity
and set a new standard for future expansion.
