The Hospital for Special Surgery Orthopedic Center of Excellence in West Palm Beach, Fla., set out to improve the patient experience by offering a continuum of care under one roof, including diagnostics services, ambulatory surgery, rehabilitation, and sports performance programs.

The 55,037-square-foot ambulatory surgery center project, which opened this past January, is a partnership of United Surgical Partners International (USPI), a Tenet subsidiary, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and designed by E4H Environments for Health (Dallas-Fort Worth, Tex.)

The interior design echoes the waterfront, which is a large part of the local beach culture. For example, the focal wall as you enter the facility is a is a horizontal wood lattice to emulate driftwood found along the nearby beach. Additionally, subtle changes in flooring color and material act as visual wayfinding while maintaining the local beach-inspired Theme through color and visual texture that mimic sand, and patterning with purpose to emulate the water coming ashore and retracting back out to sea.

Throughout the building, evidence-based design components such as natural light, views of the water, and a calming palette are utilized to enhance patient well-being. The waiting area features glass walls to give visitors and staff views of the Atlanta, an organic-shaped ceiling cove, and a variety of seating featuring bold patterns and different seat and arm heights.

The facility’s recovery gym has floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in natural daylight and views to the beach. The rehabilitation center houses a raised therapy pool where therapists can work alongside the patient.

 

Project details:

Facility name: Hospital for Special Surgery Orthopedic Center of Excellence

Location: West Palm Beach, Fla.

Expected completion date: January 2020

Owner: USPI/HSS joint venture

Total building area: 55,037 sq. ft.

Total construction cost: $26 million

Cost/sq. ft.: $472

Architecture firm: E4H Environments for Health

Exterior Architecture: Alfonso Hernandez Architect, LLC

Interior design: E4H Environments for Health

Engineering: SWA Associates, AG&E Structural Engenuity, Kimley Horn

Construction: DPR