The new 15-story Patient Tower at Florida Hospital Orlando incorporates the vision, practice, and people of Florida Hospital. It capitalizes on the healing environment created by its proximity to Lake Estelle, providing optimal views for patients, family, and staff. The project includes 440 beds, a Cardiovascular Institute, an Emergency Department, a Nutritional Services Expansion, Lakeside Café, and a new entry, lobby, and conference center.

The basement provides parking for physicians. The ground floor contains the new Emergency Department and Café. The first floor features the formal entrance to the Cardiovascular Institute, noninvasive cardiology, and cardiac rehabilitation services. The second floor contains invasive cardiology with 16 cardiac catheterization labs, a patient prep-recovery suite, clinical support, and family waiting.

Project category: Project in progress (October 2008)

Chief administrator: Randy Haffner, Administrator, (407) 303-7920

Firm: HuntonBrady Architects, (407) 839-0886

Design team: Charles W. Cole, Jr., AIA, Principal-in-Charge; Drew Krecicki, AIA, Project Manager; Maurizio Maso, AIA, Design Principal; Frank Campbell, Interior Architect

Illustration: Jay Guthrie

Total building area (sq. ft.): 656,975

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $206

Total construction cost (excluding land): $135,227,000

Beginning on the third floor are 40-bed inpatient units. Patient rooms are 230 square feet, accommodating the family, specialized equipment, and caregivers. The rooms emulate a boutique hotel using warm wood finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows, natural and indirect lighting, and a soft color palette to reduce stress and provide visual comfort.

The Emergency Department creates a “Main Street” with a series of distributed treatment clusters, maximizing functionality. As the volume of patients increases during the day, additional clusters open to provide treatment. An imaging center is embedded in the department.

The Cardiovascular Institute is designed to maximize productivity and provide a healing environment. The Prep-Recovery Suite contains private rooms. Waiting is dispersed along the lakeside to capture views, with small seating clusters and consultation rooms that respect the privacy of family members.