Fair Haven Community Health Care Center In Connecticut: First Look
E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Fair Haven Community Health Care: The 35,560-square-foot building’s form and finishes will reflect the New England neighborhood vernacular. The peaked roof over the main entrance will echoe the client’s existing health center, which consists of three Victorian homes with gabled roofs.
E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Fair Haven Community Health: The third floor will be home to a community center. Wall art will adorn the exterior of the two stair towers to reflect the vibrant community culture. Durable materials such as fiber cement and metal composite panels were selected to signal the longevity of the clinic, as well as a brick façade which mimics the surrounding buildings.
E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Fair Haven Community Health: Visitors will enter the community center into a light-filled, two-story atrium, which will serve as a lobby and registration and waiting area. Elements of biophilic design will be incorporated throughout such as indoor plants, natural finishes, and ample daylight streaming in through large windows.
E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Fair Haven Community Health: At the reception desk, wayfinding will be supported by a curvilinear ceiling treatment and light fixtures. Colorful finishes will be chosen to reflect the culturally diverse and vibrant Fair Haven community.
E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Fair Haven Community Health: The third and top floor of the health center will feature shared spaces to support community programs such as ESL classes, job training, digital literacy, and special events. A large-format wall mural will enliven the space and natural wood finishes will echo the biophilic design throughout the facility.
E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Fair Haven Community Health: Providing a connection to nature will be a critical element of the project and support best practices in designing for wellness. Two outdoor rooftop terraces will provide a tranquil gathering space for staff, patients, and community members.
E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Fair Haven Community Health: Outdoor terraces will have seating areas, a pergola to provide shade, and rooftop gardens. The planters will have vegetables and herbs to support the food “farmacy” and nutrition education program.
Fair Haven Community Health, Fair Haven, Connecticut
Fair Haven Community Health Care (FHCHC) in Fair Haven, Conn., aims to improve population health needs in the region with its new community health center that will house health and wellness services. Located on the same city block as FHCHC’s existing Community Health Center, this new facility will enable FHCHC to increase capacity by 40 percent and provide care for an additional 22,000 patient visits per year.
E4H Environments for Health Architecture (Burlington, Vt.) is working with the community health center to deliver the project, scheduled for completion in January 2025.
Located just over the Mill River from New Haven, the project is in a prime location and is intended to be a gateway to Fair Haven’s new business district.
Community engagement sessions guide design
The project team held several bilingual community listening and engagement sessions to gather feedback from the community for the new center.
As a result, the design will focus on creating inclusive spaces to serve the unmet needs of Fair Haven residents, where approximately 60 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and the majority lack health insurance.
Specifically, the architecture of the 35,560-square-foot building will combine traditional brick with light-colored fiber-cement siding to mirror the neighborhood vernacular and cultural influences while maintaining durability.
Additionally, the design will reinterpret the traditional New England aesthetic in both form and function by incorporating a recognizable peaked roofline to indicate the main entrance.
The façade will also feature space for artwork or murals, further connecting the building with the community.
Health center clinic features
To support an integrated care approach, the health center will house 26 exam rooms and clinical spaces to serve both medical and behavioral health care, as well as a retail pharmacy, lab, and shared community/education space.
To support Connecticut’s Harm Reduction program, which focuses on reducing drug overdose and stigma, FHCHC will provide substance abuse programs and medication-assisted treatment, as well as HIV/AIDS prevention and clinical services.
Addressing population health needs
A fresh food “farmacy” and teaching kitchen are planned and will address food insecurity and nutrition education. Shared community rooms will support job training, digital health literacy, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
Additionally, the project team will use a biophilic design approach to connect building users with nature. These strategies will include outdoor amenities such as a pocket park and roof terraces on the second and third floors. The interior design will integrate natural light and textures into the healing environment.
By integrating, complementing, and expanding existing FHCHC patient offerings, the project aims to serve as a hub for the community while creating a campus that is well positioned to address future healthcare needs and reduce barriers to care.
Fair Haven Community Health Care, Fair Haven, Conn., project details
Location: Fair Haven, Conn.
Expected completion date: January 2025
Owner: Fair Haven Community Health Care
Total building area: 35,560 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: $25.5 million
Cost/sq. ft.: $713
Architect: E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Interior designer: E4H Environments for Health Architecture / CAMA Inc.
General contractor: PAC Group LLC
Engineers: Fitzemeyer & Tocci (MEP/FP); Benesch (civil); BVH Integrated Services (structural)
Builder: PAC Group LLC
Medical equipment planner: MER Medical Equipment Resources
Project details are provided by the design team and not vetted by Healthcare Design.
