Few initiatives in healthcare today have the same impact as the effort to promote and support health and wellbeing of populations. This inspires the planning, construction, and design community to create environments to help providers achieve this mission. Despite this, the solutions that are being offered vary greatly, and each one is unique in how it responds to the call. Healthcare Design asked members of the industry to show us how they define wellness in their work. This special report “All Is Well” (to appear in the May 2016 edition of the magazine, and in online installments in April and may) will showcase a variety of innovative and inspiring approaches.
The new Shriners For Children Medical Center Outpatient Clinic under construction in Pasadena (Calif.) takes “access to nature”, to a new level, by providing outdoor connections in almost the same quantity as the clinical space.
Fabian Kremkus is the principal design at CO Architects in Los Angeles, which worked on the project with executive architect SRG Partnership from Portland, Ore. We hope that the patient and care provider will experience the outdoor spaces together.
Opening at the end of 2016, the 75,000-square-foot-building will house pediatric orthopedic care services with 60,000 square feet of accessible garden space spread across three levels, including on-grade gardens, outdoor balconies, and a rooftop terrace.
The outdoor courtyard, for example, is designed to accommodate family members of any age who may have to wait long periods while children undergo surgery and rehabilitation. It includes semi-shaded seating areas near the water wall. The lobby on the first floor and clinic waiting room also offer views of the garden, as well as a play area enclosed.
Kremkus says, “It is not only for the benefit of the children and parents but for the staff as well.”
