Riverview’s Women’s Pavilion was designed to provide new state-of-the-art women’s services for a rapidly growing community. Focus groups established a “one-stop shop” concept where women receive comprehensive services, including maternity services; diagnostic and treatment services; access to physicians’ offices and boutiques; and prevention, education, information, and referral services. Women also said they wanted an attractive and inviting facility, more like a spa or hotel, not a hospital.

Project category: Addition (completed September 2003)

Chief administrator: Seward Horner, President and CEO, (317) 776-7106

Firm: ARTEKNA, (317) 955-5090

Design team: Timothy J. Frank, AIA, NCARB, Principal-in-Charge; Louis J. Huebler, AIA, NCARB, Project Manager (ARTEKNA); Paul Brumleve, PE, Structural Engineer (Lynch, Harrison & Brumleve); Mark Seibert, PE, and Jim Benson, PE, MEP Engineers (CMTA, Inc.); Kathleen Lamaster, Interior Designer (Designplan)

Photography: Wilbur Montgomery, WM Photographic

Total building area (sq. ft.): 128,030 (new); 3,050 (renovation)

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $212 (new; finished space); $74 (renovation)

Total cost (excluding land): $20,500,000 (new); $225,000 (renovation)

Based on this input, the plan was developed around a central Atrium to bring natural light into the heart of the pavilion. Soft curves in the plan emphasize comfort and privacy while mitigating institutional aspects. The desire for a sophisticated yet informal and inviting facility became the theme of the interior design as interpreted in an abstraction of an English Garden.

The warm, natural colors and bright accents of an English Garden became the featured colors and materials. Maternity Center nursing stations became the canvas for custom mosaic murals artfully depicting flowers, waterways, and river paths. The soothing sound and activity of water elements became an integral part of the design, serving as the focal point of the Atrium. Streambeds encircle the Family Waiting Room. River-rock flooring accents the main circulation walkways. Custom fern-imprinted wallcovering accents walls in the LDR and Postpartum Rooms. Light fixtures echo natural forms—for example, a wall sconce in the abstract, fluid form of a calla lily. Patient Rooms overlook the natural landscape of the healing gardens.

The Nursery, at the heart of the Maternity Center, was conceived as a sheltering and nurturing environment. The image generated by the focus groups was that of an egg, so the Nursery was designed in that shape. Caregivers and family members can observe the new arrivals from outside the “egg,” and the baby is provided with a quiet space. Fiberoptic lighting in the domed ceiling twinkles above the bassinets, while the words to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” are repeated on the custom-imprinted wallcovering.

Women in the focus group wanted a place where they, their family, and friends are treated as guests. All Patient Rooms are private and include an area where family members can be comfortable.

Waiting areas offer comfortable seating and rocking chairs beside a fireplace. A “Dad’s Retreat” on the lower level provides a den-like setting where dads can relax in the comfort of leather recliners and enjoy a big-screen television.