A new 521,000 sf, 350-bed behavioral health hospital in Lakewood, Wash., a Tacoma suburb, will serve forensic patients who enter care through the criminal court system, freeing other areas of campus to serve civil patients. The facility at Western State Hospital, to be designed by HOK, will promote a holistic approach to rehabilitation as part of the state’s vision for transforming behavioral health.
The design will prioritize transparency, biophilia, and a holistic treatment approach, balancing safety and security for patients and providers. To incorporate nature’s healing power, the building will be seamlessly integrated with the topography of the 216-acre campus. Access to nature and daylight is intended to improve programmatic function. Elevated walkways floating above courtyards will connect building spaces and provide connections to nature as patients and staff move through the campus.
Sustainability and energy efficiency are also critical design considerations, with the goal of achieving net-zero energy and LEED gold certification. The hospital’s exterior materials will create a non-institutional appearance with the aim of destigmatizing mental healthcare. A modular lattice veil across the façade will create a woven look and balance the brick and painted steel facades of downtown and neighborhood buildings, creating a rhythmic pattern.
“Our design supports the healing, rehabilitation and care of forensic behavioral health patients in ways that challenge more traditional, institutional design solutions,” said Loren Supp, Principal in HOK’s Seattle studio and lead designer for the project. “The new hospital will serve as a model for cities across the country, highlighting the necessity of investing in progressive mental and behavioral health services, programs, and facilities to ensure the best long-term outcomes for vulnerable populations.”
The project is part of a master plan that includes several other facility improvements to the existing Western State Hospital campus.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023, with completion anticipated by 2027.
Owner: WDSHS and DES
Design Architect: HOK
Architect of Record: HOK
Associate Architect: Architecture +
MEP Engineer: AEI
Structural Engineer: KPFF
General Contractor/Construction Manager: Clark Construction Group
Related Stories
| Jan 3, 2012
VDK Architects merges with Harley Ellis Devereaux
Harley Ellis Devereaux will relocate the employees in its current Berkeley, Calif., office to the new Oakland office location effective January 3, 2012.
| Jan 3, 2012
New Chicago hospital prepared for pandemic, CBR terror threat
At a cost of $654 million, the 14-story, 830,000-sf medical center, designed by a Perkins+Will team led by design principal Ralph Johnson, FAIA, LEED AP, is distinguished in its ability to handle disasters.
| Jan 3, 2012
BIM: not just for new buildings
Ohio State University Medical Center is converting 55 Medical Center buildings from AutoCAD to BIM to improve quality and speed of decision making related to facility use, renovations, maintenance, and more.
| Dec 12, 2011
Skanska to expand and renovate hospital in Georgia for $103 Million
The expansion includes a four-story, 17,500 square meters clinical services building and a five-story, 15,700 square meters, medical office building. Skanska will also renovate the main hospital.
| Dec 1, 2011
Nauset Construction breaks ground on Massachusetts health care center
The $20 million project is scheduled to be completed by December 2012.
| Nov 29, 2011
Report finds credit crunch accounts for 20% of nation’s stalled projects
Persistent financing crunch continues to plague design and construction sector.
| Nov 28, 2011
Nauset Construction completes addition for Franciscan Hospital for Children
The $6.5 million fast-track, urban design-build projectwas completed in just over 16 months in a highly sensitive, occupied and operational medical environment.
| Nov 11, 2011
AIA: Engineered Brick + Masonry for Commercial Buildings
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Nov 11, 2011
How Your Firm Can Win Federal + Military Projects
The civilian and military branches of the federal government are looking for innovative, smart-thinking AEC firms to design and construct their capital projects. Our sources give you the inside story.
