Our client wanted to create a facility providing the most innovative surgical care in an environment devoted to patient comfort. The project provides for growth of services and reflects the vision of providing a personalized, patient-focused care environment.

The facility includes: 8 ORs (expandable to 14), 20 preoperative/recovery swing beds, 10 recovery beds, and 24 inpatient rooms (expandable to 36). The main patient waiting area, preoperative/recovery areas, and ORs maximize efficiency for staffing and patients.

The interior design uses timeless, warm-colored materials. Woods accented with slate, ceramic tile, and rich vinyl wallcovering create a luxury-hotel-like environment. These finishes provide a healing environment, helping to suggest the quality of care provided.

Ambulatory patients walking into the operating rooms are greeted by rich woods, warm colors, and multilevel perimeter lighting that soften the appearance of the ominous-looking medical equipment, lights, and booms.

The two-story lobby has a 16′-tall waterwall, creating a soothing background sound, affording a sense of relaxation, and preventing patient information from accidentally being overheard.

Private patient rooms create a sense of home with Internet access, satellite television, six levels of indirect lighting, and patient suites with separate family lounges. All medical devices are located behind a door within the headwall. The door can remain closed, concealing all devices but permitting all lines to exit the headwall at the bottom. Armoires at the foot of the patient bed conceal a nurse documentation station, space for luggage, and a television.

Project category: New construction (completed March 2004)

Chief administrator: Cindy Arbaugh, Chief Operating Officer, (402) 637-0610

Firm: Altus Architectural Studios, (402) 334-2422

Design team: Loren Lamprecht, AIA, President; Michael Hamilton, AIA, Principal

Photography: Assassi Productions

Total building area (sq. ft.): 105,580 (includes Parking Garage/Mechanical space)

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $214 (does not include Parking Garage/Mechanical space)

Total cost (excluding land): $15,588,466