Located in a growing community in Illinois, Herrin Hospital saw the need to renovate/expand its current facility to accommodate its expanding outpatient programs and increasing patient census.

The result consists of a new main entrance, reception area, gift shop, education center, patient admissions, and outpatient services, including diagnostic radiology and rehabilitation therapy departments, with a therapy pool on the first floor.

The second floor consists of an expanded 41-bed inpatient medical/surgical nursing unit and a 12-bed addition to the existing adjacent inpatient rehabilitation unit. New nurses’ stations, conference/consult rooms, and staff lounges were added. The existing inpatient rehabilitation unit’s activity/dining area, rehab gym, staff work areas, and conference room were also renovated and updated.

Project category: New construction & Remodel/Renovation (completed November 2006)

Chief administrator: Becky Ashton, Chief Administrator, (618) 942-2171

Firm: The Lawrence Group, (314) 231-5700

Design team: Architect, The Lawrence Group Architects; Interior Designer, The Lawrence Group Colors; John Kelly, Healthcare Facility Planner (Tchoukaleff Kelly Hartke)

Photography: Debbie Franke Photography, Inc.

Total building area (sq. ft.): 54,039 (new); 11,952 (renovation)

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $244 (new); $67 (renovation)

Total construction cost (excluding land): $13,200,000 (new); $800,000 (renovation)

The placement of the addition afforded an opportunity to create a landscaped healing garden. Visible from the lobby and many of the patient rooms, the garden offers both patients and staff a peaceful respite among lush flower beds. The central element of the garden is a floating granite-globe fountain that feeds a small stream and pool.

The overall design of the facility was inspired by nature, with natural materials such as stone floors and Anigre-wood veneer panels. Soft blue, green, and beige tones and curvilinear floor patterns help reinforce the nature theme. The overall space is enhanced with decorative lighting, and patient rooms were finished with maple laminate floors, flat-screen TVs, and soft blue and green walls to create a homelike atmosphere.