Projects:
Saint Vincent Health Center
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This
addition to and renovation of an existing healthcare facility
in Western Pennsylvania was initiated by the client’s desire
to solve several fundamental problems:
- Simplification
of a circulation system that had developed without the
benefit of strategic planning.
- Replacement
of obsolete critical care and OB/GYN units, as well as
laboratory and diagnostic cardiology suites.
- Development
of a new major entry relating to demographics of visitor
arrival tendencies.
- Creation
of a strong image looking to the future without alienating
the sensibilities of a conservative user base.
Early
planning studies led to the decision to demolish a cluster
of outdated, interconnected structures at the southwest
corner of the complex.
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In addition to eliminating
bed units that were physically and economically prohibitive to
renovate, this move also enhanced visibility for the majority
of incoming traffic. For critical care units, the architecture
needed to reflect the new patient-focused care approach which
the staff had adopted. Central nurse stations were decentralized
to bring staff work areas closer to patients and improve staff
visibility to patients.
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The
result is more efficient and responsive patient care. Continuous
circulation splines paralleling the rooms create efficient
traffic patterns for nursing staff, permitting supervision
of adjacent suites. Labor and delivery rooms were designed
to evoke a residential quality. On all patient care floors,
corridors were planned to segregate staff/emergency traffic
from visitor traffic.
Throughout the
interiors, there was a desire to use a palette that would
convey a sense of warmth and stability without indulging
in excess.
A judicious
use of light colored wood veneers combined with terrazzo,
broadloom carpeting, tinted concrete and a full spectrum
of vinyl wall coverings and upholstery achieves this aim,
negating the impression of an institutional environment.
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Permanent materials
favor neutral colors, while less permanent ones are rendered in
saturated hues, allowing flexibility for many years.
Awards: 1996 Cleveland Honor Award
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
Firm’s Responsibility: Design Architects: 100%
Area: 132,000 sq. ft.
Construction Cost: $21,653,000
