GS&P Recognized in 2012 AIA Jacksonville Design and Honor Awards

Award Underscores Firm’s Focus on Thought Leadership and Innovation in Design

Jacksonville, Fla. – June 4, 2012 — Gresham, Smith and Partners was recognized with a Merit Award in the Un-Built category of the 2012 AIA Jacksonville Design and Honor Awards for a design solution developed for Kaiser Permanente’s “Small Hospital, Big Idea” competition. GS&P’s design of a 96-bed, 225,076-square-foot “hospital of the future” and accompanying medical office buildings was earlier named a top three entry out of 108 submittals in Kaiser Permanente’s competition.

“This award underscores the important focus of innovation within our design studios,” commented Joe Thompson, AIA, LEED AP, division vice president, Gresham, Smith and Partners. “As the world around us continues to evolve, we must challenge the status quo of design and anticipate how changes in our culture and industries impact successful design solutions. We are proud to be recognized for the thought-leading concepts and transformational solutions our team developed for the Kaiser Permanente competition by a jury of our peers.”

The firm’s innovative, eco-conscious, patient-focused design developed for the Kaiser Permanente competition conceptualizes new ways for small hospitals to use emerging medical technology and facility design to improve the healthcare experience, quality of patient outcomes and increase access to care staff efficiency. The design supports efforts to reduce operational costs and the carbon-neutral design minimizes the hospital’s environmental footprint with sustainable, energy-efficient features like parking-lot PV panels and wind turbines that generate nearly all of the facility’s necessary energy. Patient-friendly elements throughout include high-tech patient rooms, which feature amenities such as a myKaiser app that works in tandem with an Interactive Footwall to allow patients and their families control of the lighting, window shades, room color and temperature. More design details are available at the “Small Hospital, Big Idea” website.

AIA Jacksonville is a Chapter of The American Institute of Architects representing and serving AIA Florida members in Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Nassau counties.  The AIA Jacksonville Design and Honor Awards Program is the method by which the Jacksonville, Fla. architectural profession honors members, advocates, and industry participants to encourage excellence in architecture, to elevate public consciousness of good planning and design and to recognize those whose work or advocacy enriches the built environment. Design and Honor Awards are bestowed upon members and participants who have contributed to the advancement of architecture, urban planning, art and craftsmanship.