Construction has been completed on El Centro Medical Center, a two-story 44,137-square foot medical facility housed on nearly five acres of land. The facility is situated on the eastern edge of the city of El Centro, in the heart of California’s Imperial Valley. The new facility offers a wide range of medical services, including behavioral health, telehealth, women’s healthcare, pediatrics and dental services. The project team included Nadel Architects and Pacific Medical Buildings.
The design of the building is intended to reflect its rich desert surroundings and the agricultural history of the region. The varied patterning of the window openings creates a lively rhythm in addition to strategically limiting heat gain. Custom geometrical patterning of the concrete wall panels evokes the land division of fields and parcels. The panels are painted in muted shades drawn from the desert palate.
A large glazed area on the south side, which faces the bulk of the parking, creates an inviting entryway. The site’s landscaping is generous in both area and drought-resistant foliage, utilizing native plants such as Palo Verde and Desert Willow trees to enhance the patron experience and provide shade from the intense heat.
