Radiology Consultants of Lynchburg & Central Virginia Diagnostic Imaging Center – Lynchburg, VA
Project Category – New Construction (completed April 2000)
Facility Contact – William Bodine, (804) 237-4284
Firm – Cornerstone Architects, (804) 353-3051
Design Team – John Scott, President (Vista Construction Co.); Clive Fox, President (Fox & Associates); Ken Carlton, Project Manager (Hurt & Proffitt, Inc.); Marjorie Grabeel, Interior Designer; Thomas A. Rockecharlie, Jr., President (Simmons Rockecharlie & Prince)
Patient/Bed Capacity – 40 patients
Total Building Area (sq. ft.) – 21,000 (gross)
Total Land Area (acres) – 8
Total Cost (excluding land) – $2,155,753
In late 1998, Radiology Consultants of Lynchburg & Central Virginia began planning for a new facility after realizing their existing facility was too small to support additional new modalities and that overcrowding was making it difficult to maintain or enhance levels of service to their patient population.
The resulting Imaging Center is divided into private and public areas separated both vertically and horizontally. The main concourse is the major spine for all circulation throughout the building and separates the upper floor into two zones: the clinical zone and the business/support zone. The latter is dramatic and dignified, featuring a maple-clad barrel vault and accent lighting, and providing views outside in both directions. As a part of the overall patient processional experience, this warm space allows a patient to momentarily “decompress” before proceeding to the technology-driven testing areas.
The clinical area is centrally arranged around the radiology department work core to maximize staff efficiency. The work core consists of radiology equipment control areas, a main reading room, dark room and private reading rooms. An MRI Imaging and a CT Imaging suite are situated adjacent to the core area. These two autonomous suites share a common subwaiting room that overlooks a landscaping feature. The MRI room has a large window and skylight to allow natural light to flood the room and visually connect it to the serene pastoral views beyond. This feature led to complexities in shielding the room from EMF (electromagnetic fields) interference.
Indirect cove lighting, a warm color palette, clear maple wood trim, natural light and views of the serene landscape are all used to create a relaxed, calming environment to enhance patient comfort in a technology-laden facility.