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MCDM AG.COM | M A RCH /A PR IL 2017 | Medical Construction & Design 27 and clinical practices. To reinforce this knowledge sharing, a destination venue was created as a designated conference center off the atrium. This resource is as much an internal hub for knowledge sharing as it is for community teaching and in- volvement. Surprisingly, it has become a revenue producer, as a consequence of its design and presence becoming known throughout the healthcare industry. A mental health program includes art and music therapy rooms. A transparent staircase begins in the main atrium and connects to clinical fl oors, addressing women's concerns about their safety and anxiety of being in enclosed elevators. Within the main atrium is a spiritual room with a labyrinth enhanced by an absorbing oversized imprint of textured leaves — all to off er experien- tial and holistic considerations toward treating the whole person. THEME FOUR: The Great Woman's Home Women requested a place that is welcoming and bright — focused upon wellness, not illness. They wanted a place that inspires health, healing and community. The atrium provides a light- and nature-fi lled space, with opportunities for choice and inclusivity in spaces and seat- ing, without deference to any one style — responding to the preferences declared by over 1,000 women from all walks of life. The public spaces through- out Women's address the fi ve potential arrows in The New Paradigm diagram — including the Patient/Consumer, Family/ Companion, Staff , Community and Visitor. Feminine artifacts and culturally empowering art are integrated throughout the facility. Participatory cultural projects — by all stakeholders — have been initiated on each landing of the atrium stairway. One such project is an interpretive tapestry, reminiscent of the age-old social art of the quilting bee. Additional continuing participatory projects include: Crossroads (a refugee clinic), nutrition and famous market places, a history of dolls and patient art. The stakeholder research expressed a noted appreciation for curving forms. This sensi- bility is refl ected in the atrium with folding planes, and in the auditorium with its womb-like enclosure. Behind the defi n- ing arch in the auditorium, an installation created from wire mesh in ribbon forms provides an inspirational backdrop, while also stimulating the impulse to create additional cultural artifacts throughout the facility. Women's fully embraced its redevelopment opportunity to serve women, to contribute to urban placemaking and to being a community sanctu- ary. Branding the cantilevered pink structure as an icon helps spread its messages. In ac- complishing this, it has become evident that helping women and girls aff ects not only their immediate families, it also im- pacts their communities and, by ripples, the world we live in — establishing a truly genera- tive halo eff ect. Susan Black is principal and director of Perkins Eastman Black. She can be contacted at S.Black@perkinseastman. com. Heather McPherson is execu- tive vice president of patient care and ambulatory innovation at Women's College Hospital. She can be reached at Heather.Mcpherson@wchospital.ca. From Top: As an external beacon and internal hub, the pink cube is the symbolic and physical center for knowledge exchange. > Aligning with Theme Four — The Great Woman's Home — women requested a welcom- ing and bright place with choices and clarity. > Representing Theme Three — treat me as a whole person — the pink cube symbolizes the expectation of wellness as a community resource. Left: Themes abstracted from research where 1,000 women were asked about their healthcare needs clarifi ed intentions in the architecture and design. In Theme One, women wanted a fi rst impression that was welcoming.