For its first reproductive health center in Queens, Planned Parenthood of New York City sought an uplifting facility that expresses the organization’s long-term commitment to state-of-the-art care, welcomes the diverse residents of the borough, evokes respect for individual choice and provides an excellent patient experience. The organization particularly wanted to engage the youth in Queens who have limited access to reproductive health information and services.
The program for the 15,000-square-foot facility includes waiting spaces, exam and counseling rooms, procedure and recovery rooms, a community health education room and offices. Design challenges included creating a strong exterior presence that expresses Planned Parenthood’s identity while being responsive to the scale and character of the street, creating open and welcoming spaces while meeting stringent security requirements, and optimizing opportunities for natural light on a restrictive site where the building’s side and rear walls are along the lot lines.
The overarching design goal was to create a bold and inviting presence for the institution. Located mid-block in a light manufacturing and residential neighborhood, the street wall is modest and sleek with asymmetrically composed openings – a distinct counterpoint to the adjacent brownstones also sensitive to the street scale. The interior aesthetic is contemporary and white with a system of bold colors strategically used throughout. The effect is an expression of a facility that is welcoming to all, particularly local youth. Curved forms and light gray epoxy-coated floors create a pristine and calm environment. The bright colors, rigorously integrated throughout with paint, furniture, lighting and custom graphics, evoke diversity of choice and background while providing a sense of orientation, particularly in the clinical area (an area typically confusing in most medical facilities).
Working within the tight budget and footprint, the two-story building is configured with clinical services on the ground level with the main reception and waiting area, administrative offices and community education above. The simple, clean and logical planning provides an efficient and easy patient flow while maximizing the limited natural light throughout. Stringent security requirements are met without sacrificing a sense of welcome, particularly at the entry, which is highly secure but still feels bright and airy. Waiting rooms, located along the front street façade on both floors, feature large windows and incorporate high-security glazing. Fire stairs on either side of the building are transformed into open, spatially delightful communicating stairs through the use of fire-rated glass, natural light, bright colors and custom graphics. Clinical areas are located at the center and back of the first floor. By taking advantage of the zoning setback, the design team was able to light the recovery room at the rear naturally with skylights. Offices located along the second floor set back line have large windows and glass fronts that bring natural light deep into the administrative area.
The spirited yet calming architecture offers an uplifting experience for patients and staff and serves as a model for future facilities.
Stephen Yablon Architecture PLLC served as architect on the project. The general contractor was Constructomics.
Photos courtesy of Michael Moran Photography.
