Project category: New construction (completed September 2002)

Chief administrator: John Roberts, President and COO, (704) 283-3460

Firm: FreemanWhite, Inc., (704) 583-2327

Design team: Franklin H. Brooks, AIA, ACHA, Managing Principal; Chris Richardson, AIA, Principal-in-Charge; Steve Stokes, Senior Designer; Ken Pflieger, AIA, Project Manager; Randy Bivens, CSI, CCCA, Construction Administrator

Photography: © Tim Buchman Photography

Total building area (sq. ft.): 85,000 (new); 45,000 (renovation)

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $215 (new); $219 (renovation)

Total cost (excluding land): $18,265,000 (new); $9,835,000 (renovation)

The new 85,000-square-foot, $47 million Outpatient Treatment Pavilion at Union Regional Medical Center (URMC) enhances outpatient capabilities in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, mammography, oncology (radiation and medical), cardiopulmonary, nuclear medicine, and rehabilitation. The design inspiration to reorient the Pavilion toward the public entrance has been realized in the exterior approach. The campus now has an image of updated healthcare delivery while remaining community-bound.

The Outpatient Treatment Pavilion’s focal point, a 52-foot canopied entry, reaches out to patients and invites them inside. The Pavilion has a lively, open façade that, while formidable enough to lend a sense of place, is also human enough to give patients a sense of well-being. The building reveals the interaction between patient, staff, technology, and the environment through its glassed walls—revealing ongoing activities from the outside and views of the serpentine park pathways from the inside. Waiting spaces for the multiple technologies enjoy visual access to the exterior wherever possible.

Having a modern, safe, and pleasant interior has been shown to enhance patient satisfaction.

The Outpatient Treatment Pavilion’s natural light, warm earth tones, and clean, simple lines give staff an additional incentive to care and patients an environment in which to heal. Every key design aspect of the project is accentuated by details to emphasize the particular character or design intent. For example, curves bring a feeling of softness to the bridge pathway connecting the second floor rehabilitation area to the conference center. This softness is underscored by design details—texture, elements, layers of materials, color, etc.—to give further reassurance to patients.