Santa Monica, California
Description
The goal of the 9,225 Sq. Ft. three story historical medical building was to provide a single multi-disciplinary practice encompassing highly specialized medical professionals with vast experience across a spectrum of neurological and cranial disorders. In essence Fisher Design Company along with Boulder Architects was engaged to design three independent medical practices, unified under one patient driven neuroscience practice collaborative.
Challenges
From the onset, as a result of the 2009 City Landmark building designation, the design team was challenged to maintain several building conditions and elements. The 1946 Streamline Moderne medical office building included several historical features that were to remain unchanged, such as the massing, flat roof, overhanging eaves, stucco finish, metal casement fenestrations, windows, octagonal shaped lobby and terrazzo flooring were important historic architectural features of the building that were required to remain. Working with and around these existing elements while providing creative solutions, a refreshing renovation, a comprehensive space plan and restoring the original aesthetic of the art deco building was the challenge.
Strategy
In the vertical tiered compact building, space planning was the key. Honoring their independence yet integrating the three specialty medical disciplines – neurology, ENT and ophthalmology in a collaborative practice was the goal. The twelve medical and surgical subspecialties were fully integrated into the clinic spaces while providing a seamless patient flow and care focus. Architectural materials that included wood slat ceilings with directional linear lighting and a high contrast material palette was incorporated to ensure visual direction and wayfinding for visitors.
Results
The success of the project is rooted in the functional spaces and design aesthetic. The clinic provides a variety of spaces: check-in, exam, procedure, infusion, collaborative, conferencing that deliver comprehensive patient-centric care, with different specialists working side-by-side. As a result of the Preservation efforts, the project received the Preservation Award for Historic Rehabilitation by the Santa Monica Conservancy.
