HKS-Designed $536-Million Parkview Regional Medical Center Opens

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The HKS-designed Parkview Regional Medical Center, a new 446-bed, 1.1 million-square-foot hospital, opened March 17. The building team — working with the client — included Jones Lang LaSalle, HKS Architects and Pepper-Weigand.

The new facility is a hospital with a community spirit, and a healthcare destination that reflects the heritage of northeast Indiana, promoting health, wellness and family-centered care. Its healing environment focuses on quality consumer, patient and physician care delivery that is comfortable, nurturing and culturally sensitive.

According to Jeff Stouffer, AIA, principal-in-charge with HKS, Inc., the building is designed around forward-thinking centers of excellence including heart, women’s and children’s, orthopedics and cancer.

“To meet current and future patient needs, outpatient and inpatient services for each center are co-located to minimize travel distances for the patient. The hospital’s centers of excellence – designed as one visually cohesive campus – are individually expressed through a vernacular of distinct architectural elements such as the entry tower design, materials and colors,” said Stouffer.

To increase flexibility and efficiency, core hospital services are shared, including emergency, radiology, surgery and non-specialty beds as well as logistical services such as environmental services, laboratory, pharmacy and materials management.

Walking inside, guests are transitioned into an embracing, family-centered environment surrounded by natural materials, soothing colors and timeless design. Daylighting is maximized for views and orientation. Wayfinding is improved through the use of a single-loaded daylit concourse that connects the entire facility – existing and new components. The interior includes on-stage and back-stage circulation. Back-stage circulation, such as support services, is located out of sight, on the lower level.

Family members will feel an integral part of the healing process, with space for them in patient rooms, treatment areas and waiting rooms with views to nature in addition to dining areas, a medical resource center and wireless capability throughout the building. Decentralized nursing care brings families closer to the caregivers and allows interaction.

“Today, the new hospital allows improved operational efficiency,” said Stouffer. “Each clinical area is designed to welcome patients and families, inspire staff and maximize operational efficiency as well as allow flexibility to grow in the future.”