Medical Construction & Design (MCD) is the industry's leading source for news and information and reaches all disciplines involved in the healthcare construction and design process.
Issue link: https://mcdmag.epubxp.com/i/677235
HOLISTIC SPACES H O L I S T I C S P A C E S ISSUE FOCUS Center Braselton, hospital leadership held fi ve public forums and several interactive workshops to plan the 100-bed hospital on a 119-acre campus. The design team captured stories about primary service lines to be provided in the new facility, which of ered insight into the dif erent physical, emotional and cultural requirements of patients and community. Community members expressed a desire for the hospital to embrace the natural setting, have beautiful views from every inpatient room, incorporate indigenous materials, of er organic, chef-prepared food in the cafeteria and serve as a desti- nation healthcare center and community beacon. As with Owensboro, these needs served as a guidepost throughout the design and planning process. For instance, the campus setting in- cludes extensive planting, gardens and wa- ter features to of er patients physical and visual connections to nature. Visitors enter a central rotunda clad in natural wood and locally quarried Georgia stone, which also is used throughout the common areas. The interior is infused with natural light and visually connects to the landscaped campus, from views of the shaded court- yard outside the dining atrium to vistas of wetlands from private patient rooms. Multiple access points encourage people to venture outdoors and experience the peaceful campus landscaping. The café features high-end fi nishes in a cafeteria format that has actually become a dining destination for the local community seek- ing healthy, chef-prepared food. Overall, the use of regional material, connection to nature and natural daylight humanizes the interior experience. The industry increasingly is focusing on how architecture and interior spaces impact holistically — merging health, productivity and well-being. The new WELL Building Standard administered by the International WELL Building Institute outlines seven concepts for healthy build- ing design. Nowhere is the concept of healthy building design more important than healthcare — which is in the business of promoting health. Keystone experiences humanize the complex, program-driven nature of healthcare facilities. By including patients and community members in the planning process, healthcare organizations can identify important attributes that con- tribute to patients' emotional well-being, promote healthy building interiors and reinforce a sense of ownership and pride for the community. Kurt Spiering, AIA, ACHA, is vice president and mar- ket sector leader of the Healthcare Practice Group at HGA Architects and Engineers. The high-end cafeteria featuring warm wood fi nishes has become a community destination with its organic, chef-prepared meals, answering keystone responses for healthy food choices. MCDM AG.COM | M AY/ J U N E 2016 | Medical Construction & Design 41