Project category: New construction (completed February 2004)

Chief administrator: Robert Malte, Chief Executive Officer, (303) 425-4500

Firm: H+L Architecture, (303) 295-1792

Design team: Fred Buenning, Principal; Gil Hack, Project Designer/Project Manager; Allison Fischer, Job Captain

Photography: Jeff Scroggins Photography; Steve Talley Photography

Total building area (sq. ft.): 14,700

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $107

Total construction cost (excluding land): $1,580,000

This Diagnostic Imaging Center is located in Exempla Lutheran Medical Center’s Medical Office Building III. It currently contains three Ultrasound rooms, a 3T MRI unit, a 40-slice CT, and two digital imaging units. The facility is designed to easily expand to contain an additional MRI, Digital Imaging unit, and two CT units without disruption to the center.

The entry to the imaging center utilizes cherry wood panels and an aluminum storefront to provide a less clinical atmosphere and to allow transparency of the entrance area to an exterior garden. Vibrant wall accents, ceiling design elements, and wood flooring were incorporated to create a warmer, homelike atmosphere.

The center was designed to limit patient travel distance to treatment spaces. This was accomplished by creating treatment areas that radiate out from a central check-in desk. Special consideration was also given to visual stimulation. Throughout the facility are plants and framed landscape images from the Rocky Mountain region. In addition, the CT room and each MRI room contains a backlit ceiling mural to provide positive visual distraction during procedures.