Health Care

The Hough Ear Institute is a nationally renowned medical research and clinical group involved with new methods of improving human hearing. Due to the growth of the staff, the institute needed to expand their existing space and incorporating adequate room for new technology. The new addition would also consist of the same materials and features as the existing building for a seamless appearance. For the overall design, HSEarchitects analyzed the compact site to determine the reconfiguration of the design while trying to meet parking requirements. A solution was determined by designing a three-story addition with corridor connections to each of the three existing floors. A new elevator and accessible toilets were included on all floors to meet ADA standards. Within the addition, the basement level provides a space for the ambulatory surgery center. The first level features executive offices and additional clinical spaces which also includes several hearing-testing sound booths. The second level is a research and teaching area which incorporates electronics laboratories and a temporal bone teaching lab.

Infant Crisis Services is a non-profit organization that has had the opportunity to expand through a generous grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. This grant has allowed ICS to build a new facility to accommodate services for babies and toddlers starting life in dire situations. Due to Infant Crisis Services’ continuous growth, the client needed a systematic space that would accommodate the volume of families that visited the facility daily, existing staff, donations, supplies and offices with the potential for additional growth. The architectural objective was to integrate the client’s want of a residential concept with the client’s need for an efficient, business oriented office. To create a comforting experience, the residential concept was incorporated in details throughout the building. The architectural design features materials such as artificial stone veneer, artificial slate roofing and cedar soffits at the main entry. Sustainable materials located in the interior space, like quartz solid surface and terrazzo flooring, were also selected based on life expectancy and low cost maintenance. In the interior space a consistent barnyard theme has been integrated through structural features and local artwork. This provides an environment that feels safe, relaxing and entertaining for children. Within the rest of the facility, the spatial layout focuses on the separation of office/volunteer operations and special service areas accommodating the families. Due to the extensive number of families visiting daily, it was imperative that the floor plan be highly efficient. The north end of the building functions as the public service area. Families are smoothly transitioned from the check-in lobby, to the consultation area, clothing area and finally onto the client check-out lobby where they are given essential goods stored in the adjacent warehouse. Located at the south end of the building is the general business area with offices, conference/classroom, break rooms and a private outdoor seating area.