What was the driving force behind the design and planning of the new medical center?
The programming focuses on giving community members tools to improve their health. The “farmacy”, a teaching kitchen and a fresh food farm are intended to combat food insecurity, and educate people about nutrition. Shared community space supports programs like job training and digital literacy.
The design of the building reflects the vernacular of the surrounding neighborhood, and on the façade, there is space for murals or artwork, which further integrates the building into the community.
Biophilic design features, such as a pocket garden and roof terraces connect users to nature, which has been linked with improved health.
What was the community’s input to the project design?
The client and the design team held bilingual listening sessions with community stakeholders to collect feedback on the program and the appearance of the building.
A retail pharmacy on the ground floor was added as a response to the need to preserve vital community resources. The facade walls will also feature local artwork to reflect the character and culture of the area.
What is the greatest challenge to addressing population health by facility design?
Understanding and coordinating stakeholder dynamics. Many health, educational, cultural and community organizations rely on the services of community health centers.
Flexible planning and listening to many voices can bring new ideas and creativity.
What is the impact of demand on the industry for holistic health services?
There is a growing demand for community-based health centers to provide “single-stop” services that address mental and physical health, as well as educational and wellness needs.
This model is not only popular in underserved areas where there are transportation and care access issues, but also in growing communities with a diverse culture.
