The Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute, located in Johnson County, was designed as an all-encompassing, state-of-the-art, noninstitutional medical facility providing professional, intimate patient care. The goal was to create a “one-stop shop”—an institute combining all major components and 14 doctors into one building. The multidisciplinary surgery center and medical office building includes a nine-bed Specialty Hospital, Ambulatory Surgery Center, Physician Suites, Physical Therapy, Pain Management, Radiology, Fixed and Extremities MRI, and Retail Durable Goods.

The challenge of designing the interior was providing adequate space, privacy, orientation, and identity to each practice and service, yet linking all components into one facility.

Beginning with the central, two-story lobby, patients and visitors are greeted and oriented to the entire facility upon arrival. Public corridors function as circular “spines” leading them to individual disciplines, each with its own reception desk, waiting area, patient rooms and suites, and identity. Every component of the building is adjacent to a spine and is thus connected to all other major suites.

Four direct flow-through rooms combine preoperative and surgical services with waiting rooms and private areas, creating an intimate experience for patients and families. Noninstitutional-looking cabinets and storage areas were crafted to hide medical equipment and supplies, helping patients feel more at home.

Exterior challenges involved creating permanence, elegance, and stature with a contemporary aesthetic, yet meeting the city officials’ desires and blending the building into the surrounding upscale neighborhood.

The spine concept is also reflected in the exterior massing. Glass spines act as wayfinding elements outside, as well as inside. Brick, cast stone, glass, and metal enrich the facility exterior, providing a distinct character that breaks away from the mold of a traditional hospital setting.

Project category: New construction (completed January 2000)

Chief administrator: Paul Kerens, Senior Executive Officer, (913) 338-4100

Firm: Hoefer Wysocki Architects, LLC, (816) 221-0606

Design team: Mitch Hoefer, Lead Designer; Charlie E. Rhoades, MD, Founder and Owner (Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute); Albert Kerr, Principal-in-Charge (Walter P. Moore, Structural Engineer); Tony Pianalto, Mechanical/Electrical Engineer (Henderson Engineers); Jim Miller, General Contractor, Project Manager (JE Dunn Construction Co.)

Photography: ©2000 mstudios

Total building area (GSF): 58,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $172.41

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