Kaiser Permanente’s Modesto Medical Center was created as an oasis for healing. This new campus incorporated the desires of Kaiser Permanente for an environmentally sensitive approach to integrated medical services.

The campus is divided into four quadrants around a common outdoor plaza. One quadrant consists of a four-story, 250,000-sq.-ft. Hospital Support Wing (HSW), defining the north side of the plaza. Future buildings will complete this outdoor space designed for both reflection and interaction of patients and staff. The plaza hosts community activities, such as a farmers’ market and health education fairs. A large circulation drop-off in front of the lobby shared by the hospital and HSW anchors the east side of the plaza.

The HSW has been designed to optimize the integration of outpatient services with complementary inpatient services. For example, the outpatient surgical recovery area is located immediately adjacent to inpatient recovery, and the waiting areas for both departments have been combined. This integration of services enables greater staffing flexibility and work efficiencies throughout the multiple departments.

Project category: New construction (completed September 2006)

Chief administrator: John Green, Facility Operations Director, (209) 735-5105

Firm: Lionakis Beaumont Design Group, (916) 558-1900

Design team: Don McAllister, Principal-in-Charge; Larry Yee, Project Director; Mark Odgen, Design Lead; Bill Whipple, Sustainable Lead; Matt Melcher, Structural Engineer; Sonoma Hyer, Interior Design

Photography: John Swain Photography

Total building area (sq. ft.): 255,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $373

Total construction cost (excluding land): $95,000,000


The 49-acre campus includes the largest pervious paving installation in California. As an alternative to large storm-water detention basins, pervious paving relies on natural soil infiltration. Land use was optimized by draining rooftop rainwater into percolation basins integrated with the outdoor plaza. Other sustainable design features include a 30-kW photovoltaic solar array mounted to the mechanical screen, a demonstration green roof visible above the main lobby, plant selection to reduce pollen, and finishes devoid of vinyl.