Medical Construction & Design

NOV-DEC 2017

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.

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A s the team of UNC REX administrators, staff , physician part- ners and architects began planning for a new heart and vascular hospital, their fi rst challenge was to effi cient- ly consolidate the multiple specialized heart services from several diff erent locations. The second was to create a "Legacy Project" on the established hospital campus that would refl ect leadership's vision for the future of heart care — a standard-setting new hospital designed to meet the needs of the patients, families and staff for today and for years to come. The new 306,400-square- foot North Carolina Heart & Vascular Hospital brings together all cardiac services under one roof, serving as a central location for world-class heart care designed to assist patients through diagno- sis, treatment and recovery. Comprising fi ve bed fl oors and a three-story diagnostic and treatment building connected to the existing hospital, the facility includes 114 licensed beds, including 72 step-down/ telemetry beds, 20 cardiovas- cular intensive care unit beds and 22 acuity-adaptable beds. Diagnostic and treatment procedure spaces include six catheterization labs, two elec- trophysiology labs, two inter- ventional radiology labs, one hybrid OR, one hybrid cath- eterization lab, a 10-bed PACU and a 40-bed prep recovery unit with eight observation beds. Other services include a non-invasive cardiology clinic, café, conference and education center, simulation lab, in-patient and out-patient pharmacies and in-patient dialysis care. Vision and engagement EYP Health collaborated with a full complement of UNC Rex co-workers and physician partners during project visioning and design dialogue. Physicians provided an unprecedented level of feedback about their vision for the hospital, discussing their cardiovascular preferences and design feedback to maximize their ability to provide care. Former cardiovascular pa- tients and caregivers also pro- vided valuable insights, leading to recommendations such as a dedicated ICU family zone and waiting area. Having a high level of engagement, especially from the physicians, was key to creating a high-performance building that supports the top-ranked heart and vascular program in the region. The collaborative design process, guided by an extensive master plan study, focused on patient amenities, Lean design, reducing/eliminating off site parking, expanding an existing walking trail network and rein- forcing the hospital's identity within the community. Further, the project was informed by touchstone words selected by leadership that served as a metaphor for the four cham- bers of the heart: natural, invit- ing, clean and high-tech. Design and identity The building's architecture creates a distinct visual brand while complementing the existing campus. A hi-tech cur- tainwall is balanced with a se- ries of natural limestone planes that ground the building. White metal panels integrate the building with the predominant color palette of the campus. The subtle tone-on-tone play of white and grey panels gives the façade a syncopated rhythm and understated elegance. A thoughtful blend of "foundation fi nishes" — lime- stone, wood and glass — link exterior to interior, simplifying wayfi nding and unifying the visual experience. The interior design and fi nishes create a Exterior: Brian Strickland; Legacy garden: Hedrich Blessing/Nick Merrick MCDM AG.COM | NOV EMBER / DECEMBER 2017 | Medical Construction & Design 35 Left: A sunken garden with water cascading down a series of limestone planes brings energy to the space.

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