Hackley Health had a vision to create a suburban healthcare destination for its patients. Hackley Health at the Lakes is that destination, providing radiology, laboratory, urgent care, pharmacy, rehabilitation, women’s health, and family practice.

The site offers advantages to patients by being located off a main highway with multiple exits and visual exposure. The large retention pond uses a required utility to add drama to the landscape day and night.

Project category: New construction (completed December 2005)

Chief administrator: Michael A. Maier, President, Rockford Development Group, (616) 285-8100

Firms: BETA Design, (616) 235 6220; Rockford Construction Company, (616) 285 8100

Design team: Diane Lessien, Lead Designer (BETA Design)

Photography: Brian Kelly Photography

Total building area (sq. ft.): 64,839

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $154

Total construction cost (excluding land): $10,000,000

Because the main campus is located in a historical district, the new facility was designed in the Arts and Crafts style. This helped create a sense of historical permanence for the new location.

To achieve the Arts and Crafts image, horizontal lines were used to anchor the building’s two wings. These lines were developed with brick banding and a perimeter shading device that forms a brow that contributes to shadows on the building’s façade. A fieldstone base grounds the structure and provides textural relief while framing the main entry and atrium.

In contrast to the horizontal element, vertical mullions on the main-level windows offer a subtle sense of craftsmanship to otherwise standard windows. The atrium was developed with high vaulted ceilings and clerestories to offer a large amount of natural light.

As guests enter the facility, they are greeted with a bridge and stair combination that characterizes the Arts and Crafts era. It spans the atrium to accommodate circulation between the two upper floors and creates framed views to the outside.

The interior color scheme is rich yet understated. The fieldstone piers wrap into the interior of the building and are warmly complemented by cherry wood details. Horizontal lines are again used to bring the scale of the atrium down to a human level. Columns wrapped in wood veneer with a simple motif create a rhythm that leads the guest into the space only to find that there is more to experience.

Once past the elevator, guests encounter a café/lounge overlooking the pond. The space is as comfortable as a living room, fireplace and all. This is one of the many ways that this facility accommodates the needs of its patients.