Responding to the medical needs of the rapidly growing community, Elliot Health System built a facility to expand comprehensive healthcare for patients and families in southern New Hampshire.

Phase 1 of the new 49,000-sq.-ft. Elliot Medical Center at Londonderry houses a primary care unit, an urgent care wing, and supportive radiology and diagnostic imaging services. The facility was designed with patient comfort in mind, providing a positive patient experience in an environment that improves provider efficiency for physicians, caregivers, and staff.

A three-level atrium and energy-efficient curtainwall system were used to infuse natural lighting in all corners of the building, contributing to a soothing interior atmosphere and healing environment for those using or visiting the facility. Showcasing the facility’s dramatic entryway are a granite ornamental stairway and a water feature cascading over a natural stone wall. The expansive first-floor lobby features a bistro-inspired café that serves as a destination place for the community.

Project category: New construction (completed March 2007)

Chief administrator: Doug Dean, President & CEO, Elliot Health Systems, (603) 669-5300

Firm: CUBE 3 Studio, (978) 989-9900

Design team: Nicholas Middleton, RIBA, Project Executive; Brian O’Connor, Project Designer; Ken Feyl, AIA, Project Architect; Adam Wagner, AIA, LEED AP, Project Manager; Crystal Kittredge, Director of Interiors (CUBE 3 Studio); Dick Anagnost, Owner’s Representative (The Anagnost Companies)

Photography: © Dan Gair, Blind Dog Photo, Inc.

Illustration: Brian O’Connor

Total building area (sq. ft.): 49,000

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $224

Total construction cost (excluding land): $11,000,000

A palette of natural earth tones was selected to create a sense of warmth and simple elegance, contributing to the calming ambience of the facility.

The main floor layout features primary care practice suites adjacent to urgent care examination rooms and radiology units to accommodate patients with both planned and immediate healthcare needs. Two centralized nurses’ stations create hubs for the 30 examination rooms and 10 physicians’ offices, allowing for efficient circulation and constant observation of ongoing medical operations.

The facility was designed to harmoniously blend into the residential context of the site, bordered by historic stone walls. A turn-of-the-century barn that occupied part of the site was meticulously disassembled by the team and will be reconstructed elsewhere in Londonderry.