Summary of the San Mateo Medical Center health Campus Redesign
This article details the redesign of the San Mateo Medical Center health Campus, focusing on creating a welcoming, functional, and community-integrated space. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways:
Key Design Principles & Goals:
* Staff Well-being & Communication: The Administration Building prioritizes natural light (through a central skylight) and collaborative spaces (whiteboard walls) to improve employee morale and interaction.
* Patient & Visitor Clarity & Calm: The Link Building focuses on easy navigation and reducing stress for patients and visitors with clear sightlines and intuitive layout.
* Community Integration: The campus is designed to be a resource for the wider neighborhood, with accessible walking paths, green spaces, and outdoor seating. The goal is to be a “civic destination for health,” not just a hospital.
* healing Surroundings: local art installations (like the butterfly installation by Yellow Goat Design) contribute to a pleasant and personal atmosphere, extending the healing environment.
Project Approach & Collaboration:
* design-build Collaboration: The project utilized a design-build approach with Truebeck Construction, Taylor Design, and Perkins&Will to improve coordination, speed up decision-making, and manage risk.
* Long-Term Value: Material and system choices were guided by durability and lifecycle performance, especially in high-traffic areas, demonstrating responsible financial stewardship.
Key Quotes:
* L’Estrange (Designer): Highlights the importance of design choices for staff well-being, patient confidence, and the healing environment.
* Rao (Hospital Leader): Emphasizes the goal of strengthening the hospital’s connection to the community.
* Cunningham (Truebeck Construction): Celebrates the project as a significant addition to the San mateo community.
* Stevenson (Taylor Design): Focuses on responsible financial management and long-term value.
In essence, the redesign aims to create a modern, patient-centered, and community-focused healthcare campus that prioritizes both functionality and the overall experience for staff, patients, and the surrounding neighborhood.
