Westchester HealthAlliance in Kingston, New York
HealthAlliance, a 315 bed healthcare system in Kingston, New York, was incorporated into the existing network of WMCHealth, which operates nine hospitals across New York’s Hudson Valley.
As part of the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative (a multi-year initiative that aims to bring economic, educational, and medical benefits to this historic Hudson Valley waterfront city), the organizations decided to merge two existing Ulster County hospitals into one acute care facility in late 2022.
The new facility is Westchester HealthAlliance and it’s located on HealthAlliance’s Mary’s Avenue Campus in Kingston. The renovated space features a two-story expansion that includes 78,000 square foot of clinical space. It also houses an ED, financial counselling, presurgical testing and admissions. There is also a coffee shop, gift shop and waiting areas.
Renovation and expansion of hospitals
The updated facility will meet the needs of the Ulster County area by providing a consolidated Emergency Department (ED), as well as sophisticated surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic services to acute and critical inpatients.
The project team, which included the Philadelphia-based architecture and design firm FCA completed 40,000 square foot of renovations at the existing facility. The Mary’s Avenue Building was updated to match the addition using a neutral colour palette with cool accents.
The first-floor imaging department has been expanded to include a new MRI with color-changing graphics and lights that help reduce anxiety in patients. The expanded and relocated pre-/postoperative surgery recovery suite and an endoscopy programme are also part of the expanded lab program.
Modern hospital lobby design
The new campus uses design elements that were used at WMC’s main campus, located in Valhalla. These include branding elements, neutral colors, biophilic designn, and wood tones. This helps to maintain the brand image, while also creating an identity unique to this campus.
A modern entry lobby, with its custom millwork inspired by hospitality and bright color accents, conveys the message of an ultra-modern facility. Nature-inspired glass panels create a focus in the south corridor of the lobby, which connects with the ED.
The exterior glass is curved, allowing the lobby to be a continuation of its surrounding landscape. The vertical detailing in the exterior glazing is also repeated on the feature wall adjacent to the glazing. This wall has alternating wood and branch patterns of glass, which are representative abstract trees.
,in patient rooms, warm wood tones are repeated on the millwork of the footwalls, creating a sense continuity. The neutral color palette, subtle details, and calming effects create an atmosphere that puts patients and visitors at ease.
