Project category: New construction (completed November 2006)

Chief administrator: Mark Hood, CEO, (713) 456-4812

Firm: FKP Architects, Inc., (713) 821-9204

Design team: Paul Gloriod, AIA, ACHA, Project Manager; Gary Owens, AIA, ACHA, Senior Project Designer and Planner; Mezio Zangirolami, AIA, NCARB, Project Designer (FKP Architects, Inc.); James O’Neill, AIA, Lead Interior Designer (O’Neill Hill and Associates); Ben Wylie, MEP Project Manager (Wylie and Associates); Joe Baldridge, Structural Engineer (Walter P. Moore and Associates)

Photography: Joe Aker, © Aker/Zvonkovic Photog-raphy

Total building area (sq. ft.): 163,248

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $257

Total construction cost (excluding land): $42,000,000


The Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute – Southwest, located on the Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital campus, is Houston’s first freestanding hospital dedicated solely to fighting heart and vascular disease. Designed as a Center of Excellence with a dedicated focus of providing high-quality cardiovascular care, patient comfort, and the convenience of all services in a single building, the facility provides a prominent architectural image while complementing other buildings on the campus.

The five-story, 163,000-sq.-ft. building connects to the existing hospital on two levels via a concourse and features 42 inpatient beds (with the ability to expand to 60 beds), state-of-the-art minimally invasive diagnostic spaces, six advanced cardiac catheterization labs including two electrophysiology labs, a hybrid interventional procedure suite, a pharmacy, and four ultra-high–tech cardiovascular operating rooms.

The predominant architectural precast-panel fenestration is contextual with the overall campus image, while the dramatic red elevator tower with interlaced, reflective-glass curtainwall provides a definitive entry statement for the Institute. Natural light fills the main floor, public areas, and floor lobbies via floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Skylights allow light into core staff and support areas within the preoperative and recovery areas. Elevator lobbies open onto glass walls, lending an expansive, airy feel and assisting visitors with orientation. The restaurant and coffee bar provide a “street café atmosphere that can be experienced with indoor and outdoor seating. Warm hues of woods and soft leather further promote the hospitality image.