Project category: Project in progress (December 2007)

Chief administrator: Pat Murray, CEO, (830) 258-7728

Firm: Sterling Barnett Little, Inc., (817) 792-2100

Design team: James S. Little, Jr., AIA, NCARB, Project Principal; Michael Parkinson, AIA, Project Manager; Cliff Spruill, Associate AIA, Lead Designer; Kellye Johnson, AIA, NCARB, Chief Project Planner (Sterling Barnett Little, Inc.); Bob Wallace, Owner’s Representative (Stroudwater Project Management); Mark Fratto, PE, Project Manager MEP Engineering (Fratto Engineering, Inc.)

Total building area (sq. ft.): 247,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $223

Total construction cost (excluding land): $55,000,000

Peterson Regional Medical Center is located in the heart of Texas Hill Country in Kerrville, Texas. The scenic beauty of the site provided unique opportunities for the integration of architecture with native surroundings to create a comfortable environment for patients, staff, and family. The 245,168-sq.-ft. facility, with an integral central plant, supports 125 beds on three levels. The hospital is located on a 33-acre site, with care taken to provide for expansion opportunities in multiple locations, surface parking, and medical office building pad site(s). The main entry is an architectural showpiece that draws people into the facility from the primary parking area with the incorporation of water, landscape, and canopy.

The centralized atrium/elevator core provides for the separation of public and service traffic from inpatient traffic. Enhanced with natural light and finishes, the atrium provides a focal point for wayfinding within the facility as it serves as the single pivoting connection between the multiple wings.

The ground floor focuses on entry for patients, staff, public, and support with separation of public traffic from support traffic. The ground level houses the hospital’s administrative and support functions, as well as diagnostic services, including a 21-station Emergency Department and imaging services.

The second floor includes a 36-bed med-surg unit and obstetrical services. Support functions include the pharmacy and laboratory; administrative functions include administrative offices and education classrooms. The third floor houses 36 telemetry, 17 rehab, and 12 critical care beds.