A 6,000 square foot remodel and expansion of the existing Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) created a naturally calming place for patients to awake from surgery. Conceptually, this “awakening” is accomplished through incorporating filtered and shaded natural light. Research has shown that daylight shortens the recovery time and reduces the need for medication.

A major part of this project was the complete redesign of the hospital’s eastern building facade. The existing entrance to the Emergency Department was extremely difficult to find and had no identity (see "before" photo). An emergency department entrance should be immediately recognizable and accessible and not create confusion for a patient or family member in an already stressful situation. The design uses the existing main entrance architectural vocabulary to create the de facto "front door” utilized by many patients. At night someone looking for the Emergency Department is immediately drawn to the entry by an narrow band of light at the top of the screen. The sculptural perforated metal screen structure allows for controlled light to enter into the PACU, defines the existing Emergency Department’s entry and literally stretches out to enliven the hospital’s image.

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