The idea: Holy Redeemer Health System adopted a new model of care for its outpatient settings, striving to create vibrant spaces for patient and staff interaction and wellness education. The system turned to its Holy Redeemer Healthcare at Bensalem site in Bensalem, Pa., as the first project to be completed under this vision.

The existing outpatient space didn’t separate front-of-house and back-of-house functions, nor were there designated support areas for patients, families, and staff. Existing finishes and interior architecture fell flat, too. The Kahler Slater (Milwaukee) design team was brought on board to create a plan that introduced unique spaces full of curves, color, texture, and light to bring the organization’s new prototype to life.

How they did it: Faced with a 20,000-square-foot space, the designers were challenged to fit both necessary programmatic elements (including family medicine, obstetrics, breast surgery, wound care, lab, imaging, and a timeshare suite for visiting specialists) as well as areas that support Holy Redeemer’s vision for the patient experience (including family support areas, resource center, and Internet café).

The solution was to create shared patient and family waiting spaces and amenities as well as shared staff support areas that are all accessible from multiple points in the facility. To do so, the design connects what would have otherwise been separate clinics through themed “fire” and “water” public corridors. Those corridors link “living room” waiting spaces that can be accessed from several medical suites, with alternative waiting areas available, too.

At the back of the medical center, a staff corridor was created that runs the length of the center and features a separate employee entrance, private kitchen and dining, and staff lockers, with entrances to the medical suites providing a transition area for staff entering the front-of-house.

The big reveal: The center, which was completed in November 2012, provides a patient-centric design with support features including the living room waiting spaces outside of the suites, as well as more private conversation rooms. Additional family support is provided in the Sun Space, a room for education, support groups, and wellness classes.

To provide a warm, comfortable area where patients and visitors could relax or research an illness, the project also includes a resource center/Internet café (pictured here) that serves as an alternative to the traditional waiting spaces. A final phase of the project is currently underway and includes a training space for staff and a specialty retail shop for women with breast cancer.

 

Project details:

Completion date: November 2012

Owner: Holy Redeemer Health System

Architecture: Kahler Slater

Interior design: Kahler Slater

Contracting:  Wolfe Scott Associates Inc.

Engineering:  Wick Fisher White

Construction: Wolfe Scott Associates Inc.

Total building area: 20,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost: $5.7 million

Cost/sq. ft.: $285

Suppliers/fabricators:

Art glass:  Richard  Jones, Studio Paran

AV equipment/electronics/software:  World Wide Stereo

Carpet/flooring: Mannington, Stonepeak, Graniti Fiandre, Teknoflor, Forbo Marmoleum, Johnsonite

Ceiling/wall systems: Armstrong, USG

Doors/locks/hardware: 3form

Fabric/textiles: Arc-Com, Maharam, DesignTex, CF Stinson, Momentum

Furniture—seating/casegoods: Carolina, Furniture Lab, TMC

Handrails/wall guards: InPro Corp.

Modular casework: Herman Miller Compass System

Lighting: Hampstead Lighting

Signage/wayfinding: Poblocki Signs

Surfaces—solid/other: Interstyle, Oceanside Glass, Avonite, Northstar Surfaces, Dal Tile, LG Surfaces

Wallcoverings: Koroseal, MDC

Vertical garden: Plant Connection Inc.