Mental health design requires a delicate balance of patient security and welcoming design features. This healthcare client needed a new inpatient mental health facility to serve veterans in a historic district. The program for the new 19,100 sf facility was developed using a Lean Healthcare design process with detailed involvement from the clinical team – prioritizing client goals and their vision for veteran care. The Guidon team led collaborative charrette events with end users to discover these goals and presented Evidence Based Design concepts for mental health spaces. The team mapped out the ideal workflow for the new departments and created initial space blocking layouts. These initial efforts led to a functional and efficient floorplan that utilized the new square footage and created easy movement throughout the facility.
Patient privacy was a goal defined early in the design process. All 22 bedrooms are private and welcoming with dedicated bathrooms and exterior windows to provide an abundance of natural light. The space includes custom design features for reception, exam and triage, open group spaces, dining, and administrative space for staff. Patient safety features were incorporated throughout the building like anti-ligature fixtures, fall impact reducing flooring, and specialty furnishings and finishes chosen to reduce hazards. Security elements included hallways and nurse stations with clear lines of site, secure staff and medication spaces, and a top-of-the-line camera monitoring system.
