Georgia Southern Wellness Center

GEORGIA
SOUTHERN
WELLNESS
CENTER

Project Description:

Turning old to new, the Wellness Center will be constructed in the existing site of an old dorm facility on Georgia Southern's campus. This facility is a four story 12,540 sq. ft space integrating a new psychology clinic along with a women’s healthcare clinic serving the community and students of Statesboro. It is also linked to the health center for student services. I chose this location because it is centrally located to the community and students and also surrounded by a large wooded area providing a sense of peace to the patients through nature and greenery. Through Evidence Based and Biophilic Design this is a proposal for a new Wellness Center on campus that is patient focused, accessible, and integrative for the community.

exterior
inspiration

CDOCS

floorplan:

women's clinic

The exterior walls and floorplan resemble an abstract version of the Georgia Southern Eagle wings. This facility includes two waiting rooms, 10 exam rooms, 10 consultation rooms, and a large lobby. The floorplan is broken into two sections. One side is the Women's care facility and the other is for the Psychology clinic.

psychology clinic

concept/ research:

Throughout this project our studio collaborated and studied with the psychology students to create spaces that used these 3 different components. My design was heavily influenced by these key factors and are highlighted throughout my work.

Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine is an approach to care that puts the patient at the center of the healthcare experience to address the full range of physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental influences that affect a person’s health.

Biophilic Design

Biophilic Interior Design is an innate need that humans have to be connected with nature, natural systems and processes. Biophilia in the context of clinical care has been shown to lead to positive patient outcomes including greater patient satisfaction and compliance, lower rates of malpractice litigation, lower cost of medical care, and lower rate of medical errors.

Evidence-Based Design

Evidence-based design has grown to be defined as decisions designers make based on the best available information from credible research and evaluations of projects.

Transparency and Elevation

Inspired by stained glass the Wellness Center seeks to bring color and light to the users of it’s space. The Wellness Center strives to elevate the emotions and provide a sense of comfort to all whom embody it. With help from cool and calming color tones and biophilic design, the space will become an oasis and distraction of the patients everyday life. Seeking to provide clarity and a sense of comfort.

materials:

The materials selected throughout the project are intentional and are a form of biophilia. Using a mix of natural woods, organic shapes and patterns that follow a blue-green color scheme relaxing the patients subconsciously. Also when selecting materials for a healthcare facility you must keep in mind the durability and the points you can earn towards Leed Certification.

Flooring

Vinyl Composition Tile is used throughout the entire design. It is easy to clean and PVC free. After further research I would now use a Rubber or Linoleum floor. These products have natural and renewable ingredients. However either products will work for the space.

Textiles

Like any other healthcare facility we wanted something that would be easy to clean, durable, comfortable, and inviting. The fabric I chose have organic shapes and cool tones.

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Walls

Biophilic elements heavily influenced the design choices for the walls. Not only is wood sound absorbent but a natural way to add texture to a space. I decided with a sleek teak wood to go upon the walls of the lobby and waiting rooms to add a sense of familiarity and comfort to the patients.

The wall coverings are all floral and abstract forms of things you would see in nature. Resembling plants, water, and trees.

The common denominator for good materials is their transparency --knowing where the products come from, what they are made of, and where they go at the end of their life cycle.

1.Durability

Because these surfaces will be cleaned often they must be able to withhold strong chemicals and last quite a long time.

2. Leed Certified

The focus on health materials is top priority when designing Healthcare Facilities. All finishes need to be Leed Certified and gain points towards certification. This requires all products to be safe and PVC, VOC, and led free.