Photo Courtesy of Al F. Payne Photography
Located
in Phoenix, Arizona, this unique 40,000-square-foot two-story medical facility
was built by the John C. Lincoln Health Network to serve the expanding
healthcare needs of the Northeast Valley. The building site is bordered on the
south and west sides by residential development; therefore, it was important
that the facility address the neighborhood's desire to have a friendly
"commercial neighbor". As a result, the project team included
neighborhood representatives in the design process and addressed their concerns
regarding privacy and scale in the siting and design of the facility. To
reduce the impact the building would have on the neighborhood, it was located as
far from the existing residences as possible. In addition, a community room was
included in the building to be used for healthcare classes, as well as nonprofit
organizations including the Neighborhood Association.
The first
floor of the building accommodates two hospital-owned physician practices that
comprise 15,000 square feet, and a 7,000-square-foot imaging area with
provisions for a mobil MRI unit. The second floor contains lease space for
approximately 10,000 square feet of specialists' suites, and business office for
the first floor practices and the community room. The first-floor physician
practices share a central core area, which contains reception, medical records,
imaging and lab functions. Offices and public spaces are located along the
exterior walls to allow natural light to enter, while private spaces such as
exam rooms tend to be located closer to the building's center. The separate
imaging consists of two distinct zones for general imaging and women's
diagnostic imaging. The introduction of natural light into waiting and dressing
areas creates a soothing environment for patients prior to their procedures.
Quality
and an appropriate Sonorandesert image were important factors in the design of
the health center. To convey their long-term commitment to serving the
community's needs, John C. Lincoln required that the building convey a sense of
permanency. Brick and integrally colored concrete-unit masonry were used in
harmony to express the building's masses and provide visual interest through a
contrast of colors and textures. Synthetic stucco with metal reveals offer
additional diversity. A second-floor balcony provides exterior access to tenant
suites and shades the lower-level windows and walkways from the sun in summer
months. The elevator and stairs are located on the exterior to increase the
building's efficiency and provide additional visual interest. Curved metal
roofs, intricate metal balcony railings and trellises, punched openings and
fabric awnings reinforce the building's sensitivity to it's desert environment.
Inside, soft, muted desert-toned colors combined with natural wood, organically
shaped ceiling elements and exposed masonry, provide a relaxed and free-flowing
atmosphere for patients and staff
Landscaping consists of low-water-use plants, which accentuate the building's entry points and pathways, while providing a diversity of scale, color and texture throughout the year. Site benches are located to provide smaller exterior waiting enclaves, which tend to reduce the amount of interior space needed for the building's patrons.
7878 N. 16th Street, Suite 270
* Phoenix, AZ 85020
Phone: (602) 943-8424 Fax: (602) 943-7931