Aesthetically designed to embody the character of a Catholic Spanish mission, the St. Rose Dominican Hospital—Siena Campus fosters the philosophy of the Dominican order: “Technology mends while compassion heals.” Overlooking downtown Las Vegas, the Henderson, Nevada, hospital takes full advantage of the majestic views of the mountains and city.

Available ambulatory services include same-day surgery, rehabilitation services, a heart center, and a comprehensive cancer center. A 140-bed inpatient area provides transitional care, critical care, intermediate care, LDRP, and pediatric units. All of the beds are located in private rooms that include built-in beds for overnight family stays. The client wanted families to know that they are an important part of the healing process. In many cases, the family members will serve as caregivers after the patient is home. The rooms were also well thought out to allow patient control and privacy, as well as spaces for cards and flowers.

Project category: New construction (completed January 2002)

Chief administrator: Rod Davis, CEO, (702) 616-5500

Firm: HKS, Inc., (214) 969-5599

Design team: Vicky VanMeetren, Senior VP of Operations (St. Rose Dominican Hospital—Siena Campus); Dan Noble, AIA, ACHA, Design Director (HKS, Inc.); Dan Pierce, Construction Manager (Kitchell Contractors, Inc.); Rick Rome, Principal-in-Charge (CCRD Partners); Chuck McDaniel, Principal-in-Charge (The SWA Group)

Photography: Ed LaCasse, LaCasse Photography

Total building area (GSF): 350,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $177

Total cost (excluding land): $62,000,000

The entry rotunda, 100-foot bell tower, and chapel produce a striking entry to the St. Rose Dominican Hospital. In addition to its role as a visual landmark, the rotunda serves as the vertical link between public spaces on each floor. The state-of-the-art facility incorporates integrated healthcare technology with Spanish-mission-style architecture and systems that network the hospital with the physicians’ offices and the existing Rose de Lima Campus.

The rotunda displays biblical scriptures and profound quotations; these messages carry through the hospital, from the operating rooms to the inpatient areas. This conveys a sense of values and encouragement. Many people have commented that the verses inspired and comforted them.

To provide the latest technology and a patient-friendly environment, every architectural element has been calculated to make the patient’s visit comfortable and nonthreatening. To that end, a three-quarter-acre healing garden grows in the center of the facility. The garden creates a peaceful environment where patients and families can visit and enjoy the natural beauty of the Nevada desert. The Rose Society also provides gardening classes in the 3,000-square-foot healing garden.