Project category: New construction & Remodel/Renovation (completed January 2006)

Chief administrator: Paul Slebodnik, Vice-President of Operations, (216) 476-4878

Firm: Hasenstab Architects, Inc., (330) 434-4464

Design team: Mark A. Ohlinger, AIA, Principal-in-Charge; Brian Schulz, AIA, Project Architect); Chris Betts, Intern; Chitra Matthai, Interior Designer; Azure Logsdon, Intern; Leilani Barkan, Interior Designer

Photography: Scott Pease, Pease Photography

Total building area (sq. ft.): 24,600 (new); 8,655 (renovation)

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $250 (new); $173 (renovation)

Total construction cost (excluding land): $6,150,000 (new); $1,498,650 (renovation)

Architectural planning, design, construction administration, and selection of interior design finishes were provided for the development of an obstetrics replacement at Fairview Hospital. The project was initiated to maintain Fairview’s leadership position in maternity care for the greater West Side of Cleveland.

Construction for the Postpartum Unit involved new space, totaling approximately 24,600 square feet, above the existing surgery wing and remodeling of an additional 8,655 square feet. This area includes 35 private postpartum rooms, nurseries, three nurses’ stations, staff areas, and support spaces.

In the initial stages of the design process, Fairview Hospital identified the goal to provide private rooms with a modern, comfortable, hotel-like atmosphere. In an effort to disguise clinical items, a headboard was created that included two vertical wood piers flanking the patient bed. The front panels of the piers are hinged cabinet doors that open up to allow access to oxygen, air, and vacuum outlets. A serene, nurturing environment was created for patients with the blending together of existing finishes and an updated, softer color palate. Pass-through nurse servers were added to allow the staff to stock each room from the corridor without having to interrupt patients in their rooms.

Clear, well-organized wayfinding elements such as flooring patterns and color cues were implemented to make wayfinding more intuitive. Themed artwork was added to provide positive distractions for patients. Flooring patterns were designed to visually relieve stress, and curvilinear flooring insets highlight patient room entrances.