Indianapolis, Indiana
The focal point of Community Hospital North’s recent expansion is a new six-story tower that houses one of the largest and most advanced women’s and children’s hospitals in the country. The facility is designed to attract young families, create long-time loyalty, and provide an exceptional healing environment.
To achieve those goals, designers created luxurious labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum (LDRP) rooms, all private suites in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and a child-friendly pediatric unit.
A positive distraction that enhances the healing environment is a collection of 51 commissioned works by Indiana artists. The art is showcased in the gallery and throughout the hospital. Indeed, the entire facility caters to patients’ physical, psychological, and sociological needs, while helping caregivers work efficiently and safely.
“The building’s elliptical shape is tailored around clinical, support, and informatics criteria unique to women’s and children’s services,” said RTKL Vice President John Castorina, AIA, the lead designer. “The facility is also designed to positively affect patients. Healing and biochemistry go hand in hand, as emotions affect how we recover. The building is a major instrument that manages stimuli for each individual, whether they are conscious of it or not.”
One important healing element is natural light, which suffuses the entrance gallery, patient rooms, and two centrally-located atria. The predominance of clear views and natural light is immediately evident as one approaches the spacious glass-enclosed gallery that spans the front of the tower.
LDRP rooms are designed to make this hospital the facility-of-choice for expectant mothers. They are configured to provide privacy for patients, and they include large family areas with hospitality-style amenities. Centrally-located rooms for high-risk expectant mothers provide views into a sun-lit atrium and access to an outdoor terrace.
The pediatric unit is designed to intrigue children with a tropical theme of water and jungle scenes. A treasure map motif takes children on an adventure as they follow a trail that wends through corridors to where “X” marks the spot—a playroom with a treasure chest and soft foam pirate ship.
PeopleOwner: Architect: Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit: Architect of record: Engineer(s): Consultant(s): General contractor: Photographer(s): © RTKL, John Jacobson |
ProductsExterior cladding: Metal/glass curtainwall: Kawneer Roofing: Glazing: Doors: Interior finishes: Suspension grid: Celotex Cabinetwork and custom woodwork: Corian, Wilsonart and Formica by Steve Industries and Sims Paints and stains: MAB Paints to match Devoe / ICI doors Wallcoverings: Custom Murals by National Wallcoverings and 4Walls Paneling: Spectrim Plastic laminate: Wilsonart, Formica Special surfacing: Corian, 3-Form Floor and wall tile: Daltile Resilient flooring: VCT-Armstrong, Sheetvinyl-Metroflor and Mannington, Rubber-Mondo Carpet: Mannington Furnishings: Reception furniture: Nemschoff, Jofco, Nucraft, Kimball Office, Brayton Fixed seating: Casework by Stevens & Sims Chairs: Knoll, Haworth, Gunlocke Tables: Nucraft, Jofco, Nemschoff Upholstery: Designtex, Maharam, Arc Com, Architex Lighting: Downlights: Lithonia Task lighting: Lithonia Plumbing:
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