Dewberry to Design New State Psychiatric Hospital in Oklahoma

Dewberry will develop a program and provide conceptual and schematic designs for a new state psychiatric hospital in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, near the Oklahoma State University Medical Center. The 150,000-square-foot hospital is expected to break ground in March 2023.

The company is working with both the Oklahoma State Medical Authority and Trust and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to program and design a facility that will include 100 inpatient psychiatric beds and a mental health crisis center. The project will include an area dedicated to law enforcement that will include an additional six beds to obtain mental health assessment of those in custody, and other associated spaces necessary for the operation of an inpatient psychiatric hospital and crisis center.

Prioritizing patient, staff and visitor safety, the project team is aiming to create an experience that implements biophilic design elements throughout, such that the architecture itself may promote and contribute to occupants’ health and wellbeing. Exterior materials, such as light buff brick and natural limestone, provide a familiar experience, while reflecting local geologic features.

Intentional design features create restorative environments that promote a feeling of security, healing and calm for patients, employees and visitors. Artwork and materials evoking the natural environment will be used throughout while incorporating features for patient safety, such as ligature-resistant furniture and fixtures, exposure to daylight and views of the outdoors.

The four-story facility is expected to be complete in 2024.

Tags: ,

Posted July 11, 2022

More Articles: