WHR Architects’ Methodist Outpatient Center Opens

Houston, Texas — At a recent ribbon-cutting, The Methodist Hospital (TMH) opened the doors on the largest facility solely dedicated to patient care in the renowned Texas Medical Center, a building designed to deliver the highest levels of personalized care and service available anywhere.  With 760,000 square feet dedicated to patient care, the architecture and interiors incorporate multiple elements of healing design in keeping with the hospital’s philosophy and its vision for the outpatient center.

“We have had the good fortune to work with the dedicated team at TMH to help them realize their goal of providing progressive, personalized, quality care that sets a new standard in healthcare delivery,” says WHR President and Chairman David Watkins, FAIA. “Our medical planners, architects, interior designers and Genesis’ medical technology planners have been part of the process from the early benchmarking studies of the other outpatient centers, through design and construction to the final preparations for the opening. The project fully embodies our belief in ‘architecture with people in mind.’”  

The architectural response to multiple programmatic demands and site constraints is a distinctive tower with a structural tiara of spires which creates an identifiable landmark that can be seen from all directions of the city. Inside, the design of the 26 floors accommodates a complex program of public spaces, medical treatment facilities and 1,370 parking spaces.

Conceived to meet an upsurge in consumer demand and to consolidate previously decentralized services, the new building houses audiology, breast care, oncology, cardiology, imaging, labs, surgery, pharmacy and wellness services. “Operationally, the outpatient center breaks new ground on several fronts,” notes Anthony Haas, AIA, FACHA WHR principal and medical planner. “More than a consolidation, the new facility represents an evolution in personalized patient service and convenience with state-of-the-art technology and treatment.”

From the elegant lobby and reception, throughout the multiple treatment floors, the interior design reinforces TMH’s patient experience message with an environment that evokes hospitality rather than a hospital. Refined and comfortable furnishings, understated, quality materials and lighting are deployed to define waiting areas an assist in wayfinding for patients and their families and friends across the large floor plates. “The design addresses not only TMH’s aesthetic vision but also meets the maintenance and durability demands of the hospital,” comments project designer, Lori Foux, IIDA, LEED® AP.  “Textures, materials, color and light all enhance both experience and the function of the space.”

Throughout the facility, the design supports the technological advances that are a hallmark of The Methodist Hospital. Innovative technology guides patients through the building and makes the center virtually paperless, in addition to providing the most current treatment technology across each of the specialties housed in facility.

“Through the Methodist Outpatient Center, along with other building initiatives, TMH is actively enhancing its position as one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers,” Watkins notes. “WHR is proud to be a part of their efforts.”

Among WHR recent and current projects: Stamford Health System in Connecticut; Christus St. Frances Cabrini in Alexandria, Louisiana; Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus in Oklahoma City. At the Texas Medical Center, projects include The University of Texas Health Science Center, Research Park Campus, Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Building; and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Mid-Campus Building One.

WHR Architects is a full service architecture, interior design and technology planning firm. The firm’s commitment to critical thinking is balanced by an ingrained empathy that results in both improved project outcomes and positive working experiences for their clients. With over 160 people located in Houston and Dallas, the 30-year-old firm is working on projects throughout the US for top–tier public and private education and medical institutions. WHR was named the 2008 AIA Houston Firm of the Year. For more information visit www.whrarchitects.com

Genesis Planning, a wholly owned subsidiary of WHR Architects, has provided medical technology planning expertise for twenty years to a broad range of clients on a national and international basis ranging from physician groups to multi-organizational healthcare systems. Their clientele and experience includes over 300 healthcare organizations in 40 states in the U.S. and 17 countries throughout Central and South America, the Middle East and Europe. www.genesis-planning.com