Following the impact of Hurricane Katrina, these redevelopment projects stood as a symbol of hope and healing following a devastated community facing a long road back to recovery.
Description
In late August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina, one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in the history of the United States, devastated the gulf coast. The hurricane struck the coast with category three force winds and rain, however, the brunt of the damage to most buildings was caused by the immense flooding that occurred from the storm surge that followed the hurricane. Just a few miles off the coast, Keesler Community hospital was heavily damaged. Due to storm surge, about fifty percent of the hospital sustained flooding, from a few inches to as high as four feet in low areas. Power systems suffered major damage and the hospital was rendered inoperable.
Rebuilding a Community
With widespread devastation, the hospital initiated a master plan and redesign establishing permanent relocations of various effected departments. A replacement radiation oncology clinic and central energy plant were the first projects to be constructed as part of the redesign. These projects stood as a symbol of hope and healing for a devastated community facing a long road back to recovery. Using natural elements, evidence based design and sustainability as guiding principles, the 15,555-sq.-ft. Oncology Clinic provides a tranquil environment for cancer patients. Natural light infuses most spaces within the clinic and the building is organized to create clear, intuitive circulation for both patients and staff. Garden space is strategically located adjacent to exam rooms and physician offices with an eastern view providing patients with direct access to nature.
A new 48-bed inpatient tower completed the second phase of redevelopment. Completed in 2011, the four-story, 141,700-sq.-ft. tower overlooks the picturesque Biloxi Bay creating a hospitality-like experience for patients who are admitted. Using the latest evidence-based design research, the tower incorporates a same-handed room layout for patient units. By employing this type of room design, the architecture supports the goal of improving patient outcomes by helping reduce patient falls; encourage frequent handwashing; increase quality staff with the patient by decreasing “hunting and gathering” in the room; better define patient, caregiver and family zones; and create a truly patient-centered environment. Decentralized nurse stations minimize staff walking distances drawing the nurse closer to the patient and lowering the risk of interruptions and medical errors.
Following the storm's aftermath, RLF completed a master plan for the future of the Keesler Community Hospital campus. The team assessed the damage through site visits and interviews with clinical, medical, and administrative staff to determine pre-storm departmental boundaries within the hospital, and assess available space for potential swing space or permanent relocations of various effected departments. The master plan effort also addressed the central energy plant, primary power, emergency power, and cooling and heating systems.
Several concepts were discussed for the protection of assets in the event of another Katrina sized storm. Ideas ranged from the replacement of everything in new elevated buildings on adjacent sites, to building walls and levees, and adding pumps and sumps designed to "defend in place" the existing assets. Following flooding from the storm, the basement levels were completely renovated with high value electronics and specialty equipment replaced and relocated out of the basement to above the flood plane.
In late August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina, one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in the history of the United States, devastated the gulf coast. The hurricane struck the coast with category three force winds and rain, however, the brunt of the damage to most buildings was caused by the immense flooding that occurred from the storm surge that followed the hurricane. Just a few miles off the coast, Keesler Community hospital was heavily damaged. Due to storm surge, about fifty percent of the hospital sustained flooding, from a few inches to as high as four feet in low areas. Power systems suffered major damage and the hospital was rendered inoperable.
Rebuilding a Community
With widespread devastation, the hospital initiated a master plan and redesign establishing permanent relocations of various effected departments. A replacement radiation oncology clinic and central energy plant were the first projects to be constructed as part of the redesign. These projects stood as a symbol of hope and healing for a devastated community facing a long road back to recovery. Using natural elements, evidence based design and sustainability as guiding principles, the 15,555-sq.-ft. Oncology Clinic provides a tranquil environment for cancer patients. Natural light infuses most spaces within the clinic and the building is organized to create clear, intuitive circulation for both patients and staff. Garden space is strategically located adjacent to exam rooms and physician offices with an eastern view providing patients with direct access to nature.
A new 48-bed inpatient tower completed the second phase of redevelopment. Completed in 2011, the four-story, 141,700-sq.-ft. tower overlooks the picturesque Biloxi Bay creating a hospitality-like experience for patients who are admitted. Using the latest evidence-based design research, the tower incorporates a same-handed room layout for patient units. By employing this type of room design, the architecture supports the goal of improving patient outcomes by helping reduce patient falls; encourage frequent handwashing; increase quality staff with the patient by decreasing “hunting and gathering” in the room; better define patient, caregiver and family zones; and create a truly patient-centered environment. Decentralized nurse stations minimize staff walking distances drawing the nurse closer to the patient and lowering the risk of interruptions and medical errors.
Following the storm's aftermath, RLF completed a master plan for the future of the Keesler Community Hospital campus. The team assessed the damage through site visits and interviews with clinical, medical, and administrative staff to determine pre-storm departmental boundaries within the hospital, and assess available space for potential swing space or permanent relocations of various effected departments. The master plan effort also addressed the central energy plant, primary power, emergency power, and cooling and heating systems.
Several concepts were discussed for the protection of assets in the event of another Katrina sized storm. Ideas ranged from the replacement of everything in new elevated buildings on adjacent sites, to building walls and levees, and adding pumps and sumps designed to "defend in place" the existing assets. Following flooding from the storm, the basement levels were completely renovated with high value electronics and specialty equipment replaced and relocated out of the basement to above the flood plane.
Recent studies and evidence-based design theory support the notion that negative feelings attached to healthcare often affect the patients’ ability to recover quickly, as well as the ability of family and friends to help the individual through difficult times. With this in mind, the goal at Keesler Community Hospital was to eradicate the idea that hospitals are cold, distant and detached, and through the use of color, texture, pattern and light, instill feelings of serenity and peace creating an environment where patients and family can feel comfortable, safe and secure about their medical care.
The design incorporates evidence-based design principles maximizing access to natural light and nature to support care of the whole person. Cool and soothing blues, greens and aquamarines are used throughout the facility to reflect the surrounding Gulf waters and Mississippi Petrified Forest accented by rich terracottas and tans to highlight points of interest and add variety. Textures also bring visual interest to the space and tie back to natural features and elements found within this southern United States region.
Consistent architectural elements, colors and finishes are used to emphasize hospital functions and aid in wayfinding throughout the facility. Reception areas and elevator lobbies are highlighted by a distinctive color feature that is duplicated on each floor. This serves as a familiar point of reference to bring people back to a point where they can find information either via signage directories or by visiting the reception desk. Large floral graphics are featured throughout reception and waiting areas to further evoke feelings of serenity while creating a visual connection to nature and the hospital’s outside surroundings. Natural materials and intimate seating arrangements help create a relaxed interior environment. Floor patterns accentuate public intersections, single entry into patient rooms and designate waiting areas. Structural wall designs and ceiling patterns further emphasize circulation patterns to assist visitors in traveling throughout the space.
In whole, the interior concept streams seamlessly from old to new, embracing evidence based design and color theory to invoke a calming and comfortable environment commonly associated with southern hospitality.
Description
In late August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina, one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in the history of the United States, devastated the gulf coast. The hurricane struck the coast with category three force winds and rain, however, the brunt of the damage to most buildings was caused by the immense flooding that occurred from the storm surge that followed the hurricane. Just a few miles off the coast, Keesler Community hospital was heavily damaged. Due to storm surge, about fifty percent of the hospital sustained flooding, from a few inches to as high as four feet in low areas. Power systems suffered major damage and the hospital was rendered inoperable.
Rebuilding a Community
With widespread devastation, the hospital initiated a master plan and redesign establishing permanent relocations of various effected departments. A replacement radiation oncology clinic and central energy plant were the first projects to be constructed as part of the redesign. These projects stood as a symbol of hope and healing for a devastated community facing a long road back to recovery. Using natural elements, evidence based design and sustainability as guiding principles, the 15,555-sq.-ft. Oncology Clinic provides a tranquil environment for cancer patients. Natural light infuses most spaces within the clinic and the building is organized to create clear, intuitive circulation for both patients and staff. Garden space is strategically located adjacent to exam rooms and physician offices with an eastern view providing patients with direct access to nature.
A new 48-bed inpatient tower completed the second phase of redevelopment. Completed in 2011, the four-story, 141,700-sq.-ft. tower overlooks the picturesque Biloxi Bay creating a hospitality-like experience for patients who are admitted. Using the latest evidence-based design research, the tower incorporates a same-handed room layout for patient units. By employing this type of room design, the architecture supports the goal of improving patient outcomes by helping reduce patient falls; encourage frequent handwashing; increase quality staff with the patient by decreasing “hunting and gathering” in the room; better define patient, caregiver and family zones; and create a truly patient-centered environment. Decentralized nurse stations minimize staff walking distances drawing the nurse closer to the patient and lowering the risk of interruptions and medical errors.
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