Architecture and design firm DesignGroup collaborated with Kentucky-based Norton Healthcare to construct the Norton Neuroscience Institute. An approximately 45,000-square-foot redesign of the third and fourth floor of an existing medical office building, the project provides a physical space that aligns with the quality of clinical care patients expect from Norton Healthcare. The NNI design is focused around patients and staff, with clinical space designed to maximize ease of use and flexibility for each center of excellence.
The newly designed NNI expands upon the Norton brand, letting visitors know they have arrived at a comprehensive clinical specialty office dedicated to the health of the human brain. Each floor is designed around a centrally located lobby that utilizes artwork and interactive design elements, offering a high-tech and museum-like “wow factor” right off the elevators.
The lobby and waiting area is designed in a concentric circle with subspecialty clinics radiating like spokes from the hub, creating an environment that fosters innovation and collaboration, which is especially important when dealing with complex cases typical of a neuroscience patient. This provides ease of access to treatment spaces for neuroscience patients with vision or mobility deficiencies. The staff work in the outermost ring – in shared work zones along the perimeter – creating an offstage collaborative work environment. This allows freedom to collaborate and share resources across the different centers, as well as maximizes access to natural light.
Additionally, visitors feel as though they are at the center of care, having the subspecialties come to them rather than having to make multiple appointments with each. The lobby and waiting area offer a calm and relaxed setting with plenty of natural light and conversational seating clusters. Educational content is displayed throughout the area digitally and with neuro-inspired art.
Most of the subspecialty clinics occupy the third floor, adding 55 exam rooms dedicated to neuroscience outpatient care. Each center of excellence has the capacity to tailor their space to the patient mix they might see on a given day. It also allows the centers to be nimble and adjust dependent on the number of clinical staff at a given time.
The fourth floor houses the Cressman Neurological Rehabilitation center; a multi-disciplinary clinic; Neurodiagnostic services; a pain management clinic and a multi-purpose space, immediately off the main lobby. This can be utilized for group classes such as yoga or tai-chi. Like the main clinic floor, the waiting space is at the center with access to patient amenities and natural light.
Messer Construction served as the general contractor on the project.
Photo credit: Lauren Feinknopf Photography
