The Children's Medical Center in late September officially opened the doors to its new 184,000-sf Legacy facility in Plano, Texas. Designed by the Los Angeles office of Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, Portland, Ore., with Dallas-based PageSoutherlandPage as architect of record, the new hospital opens with 24 inpatient beds (of a future 72 beds), emergency services, four operating rooms, four procedure rooms, and dedicated transport services. Ancillary services, such as laboratory and radiology, also operate 24 hours a day.
To create a family-friendly healing environment, the architects re-created the look and feel of a community center, with open spaces, abundant natural light, and views of the outdoors. Patient rooms have large windows that overlook the fields, streams, and ranchlands on the 155-acre property. Family living rooms at the end of each patient wing, playrooms, and adult “great rooms” also provide views of the outdoors. A theme of nature pervades everything indoors, from grasses encased in glass blocks to natural wood and bamboo accents.
The LEED-registered project features recycled wood ceilings, high-efficiency HVAC systems, Energy Star-rated equipment, and locally sourced materials.
