Children's Medical Center Legacy
Plano, Texas
Maximizing the healing power of nature to create a curative environment influenced by the latest thinking in patient-centered care provided the design basis for this 301,770-square-foot pediatric specialty hospital. From every public space to every patient room, the design team considered how patient care and safety could be improved through the use of nature, daylight, and color, while positively affecting the experiences of patients, families, and staff. The 81-acre site was master planned to address the initial hospital as a 72-bed facility with associated outpatient clinics and can expand to accommodate 240 beds with more than 500,000 square feet of clinic and office space.
Site position and orientation were top priorities in providing unobstructed views of the natural water features and grasslands from every patient room. Natural limestone ties the building to the land, reflecting a strong Texas vernacular while abundant glazing allows for a seamless integration between the indoors and outdoors. The site planning began with the 100-year-old “Tree of Life” oak tree which became the beacon for the design layout and its newfound use as a healing place. The tree anchors the center of an outdoor healing area used for story telling and patient therapy. Sustainability was an important factor in the development of this project and led to its registration with the US Green Building Council.
Patient rooms have large windows and a residential character in their furnishings, cabinetry, and material palette. They are organized into patient, family, and caregiver zones to provide adequate space and minimize encroachment of space for clinical functions. Each has been designed to be acuity-adaptable, single occupancy, and same-handed for greater efficiency. An entry vestibule functions as the clinical care zone of the room. This keeps the clinical area convenient for the caregiver but it remains out of the patient’s sight line. This sink is located close to the door so that nurses will be reminded to keep their hands sanitized from patient to patient.
Engaging the entire family in the healing process led to the creation of several family zones both inside and out of the patient room. A family area is placed along the window wall in each room to maintain the connection to the out-of-doors and to offer in-room sleep accommodations. A family break room is located at the end of each patient room wing. A third family area is located off the elevator lobby, and resembles a great room in one’s home, with areas designated by different furnishings—a children’s play area, a more adult lounge and a technology docking area.
The arrangement of the nursing units also embraces the outside environment, which is not only therapeutic for the children and their families, but creates a positive work environment for the caregivers.
Using a master palette offered a way to differentiate each unique area while developing a commonality among them. The PageSoutherlandPage design team, which includes Zimmer Gunsul Frasca as Associate Architect, has developed a high-tech/high-touch facility to meet the needs of children, families, and caregivers alike.
Awards: AIA Academy of Architecture for Health Best Hospital Project, Built, More than $25 million; Modern Healthcare Honorable Mention; Healthcare Design Magazine Citation of Merit; Dallas Topping Out Top 10; Texas Construction Award of Merit Healthcare; Construction Owners Association of America Silver Medal Architecture for Health Design Award
Publications: Healthcare Design, March 2010; Healthcare Design, September 2009