Project category: New construction (completed April 2012)

Chief administrator: Jonathan Flyte, Vice President, Facilities, (616) 391-1040

Firms: Integrated Architecture, (616) 574-0220; Elzinga & Volkers General Contractors, (616) 392-2752; Spectrum Health Medical Group, (616) 267-7001

Design team: Architecture, Interior Design, MEP (Integrated Architecture); Landscape (Michael J. Dul & Associates); Structural Engineer (JDH Engineering, Inc.); Furniture (Worksquared – Herman Miller)

Photography: Justin Maconochie

Total building area (sq. ft.): 58,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $164

Total construction cost (excluding land): $9,500,000

Filled with natural light, sustainably designed and created to support the patient experience, Spectrum Health Medical Group’s new ambulatory care facility provides a radical departure from the traditional institutional environment. Upon entering, visitors know they are not in a typical healthcare facility.

The building’s single entry point is clearly marked by a canopy with organic-formed skylights and a vegetated roof visible from the 2nd floor lobby. Numerous registration bays and a welcoming concierge are easily found near the entrance. Once registered, visitors are directed to one of six seating zones located in the two-story open lobby.  The zones are identified by numerical super-graphics, easily read from the across the room. 

Visitor flow moves from the waiting zones to the patient-care areas, passing through a large wood-clad wall that creates a warm, welcoming landmark in the building’s central core.  Open ceilings, large windows at the end of hallways and views of the wood-clad wall demystify the patient experience and aid in way-finding.

An open-office arrangement with abundant natural light and views to the outdoors creates a healthy work environment for providers, while encouraging collaboration and communication.

Laboratory services, Radiology, a physical therapy gym and community lunch room – all located near the entry — are easily accessed by outpatient visitors,  internal referrals  and community members. The result of this innovative design is a facility that enhances the personal experience of patients, visitors and staff, while ensuring operational efficiency and optimal facility performance.