SSM Health – Beaver Dam Clinic, a new family medicine and specialty facility located in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was designed to complement the health system’s brand aesthetic, and to align with the values the system places on sustainability and occupant well-being. The project team included architect EUA and general contractor CD Smith.
WELL Building Standard concepts, along with a high Energy Star rating, were goals incorporated from the start of the project, which is on its way to becoming the first healthcare facility to achieve WELL Certification in Wisconsin. By considering environment design elements such as furniture arrangement, outdoor space, acoustics, daylighting and encouraging physical activity, the clinic aids occupant health beyond the treatment they’ve come to give as a caregiver or receive as a patient.
To create efficient clinical practice areas, the design team took a unique approach by incorporating a u-shaped layout. Arranged like an open office environment, central clinical pods are surrounded by patient exam rooms, providing high visibility and a sense of openness, while allowing space for the rear glass wall to maximize daylight.
Thoughtfully combined elements create a one-of-a-kind healthcare clinic that promotes wellness for all. With an emphasis on patient and visitor experience, views to the exterior are provided in all waiting areas. The building incorporates clear wayfinding, utilizing the reception desk and a highly visible, light-filled public stair as orienting elements. Patterns and color in flooring and wall materials flow through the public spaces to emphasize interaction points and identify clinical entrances.
