At Lake Norman Regional Medical Center’s new outpatient imaging facility, patients are offered a variety of diagnostic imaging services within an untraditional clinical setting. Subdued lighting, wood textures, warm colors, and comfortable robes provided at this imaging center all suggest an afternoon at the spa instead of a doctor’s appointment.


Located in a freestanding medical office building across the street from the hospital, the imaging center is an 11,000-sq.-ft. facility dedicated exclusively to outpatient radiologic procedures. Designed as an extension of the hospital’s existing imaging department, the center offers MRI, ultrasound, diagnostic x-ray, and DEXA (osteoporosis screening) services. The inviting interiors incorporate private registration offices, comfortable patient waiting areas, plasma televisions, and a separate children’s play area. A women’s mammography screening center also located within the facility has its own dedicated waiting room, dressing corridor, and education suite.

Project category: New construction (completed August 2004)

Chief administrator: Paul Smith, CEO, (704) 660-4010

Firm: HHCP Architects, (407) 875-2722

Design team: Charles Braun, FAIA, Partner-in-Charge; Bruce Hartwigsen, AIA, Health Facilities Planner; Wayne Richard, AIA, Project Manager; David Schell, AIA, Project Coordinator (HHCP Architects); Jennifer Nichols Kennedy, Interior Design/Space Planning (The J. Nichols Group); Russ Heiken, PE, MEP Engineering Consultant (GRG Consulting Engineers)

Photography: ©2006 Raymond Martinot

Total building area (sq. ft.): 11,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: Not released

Total construction cost (excluding land): Not released