Submitting Company:
Earl Swensson Associates Inc., Nashville, TN
Project Team: (not all-inclusive)
Midwest Medical Center, owner; Earl Swensson Associates Inc., architect; MSA Professional Services, civil engineer; KSi Structural Engineers, structural engineer; I.C. Thomasson Associates Inc., MEP engineer
Project Specifics:
Building type/use: healthcare
Square footage: 94,082 square feet
Project cost: $27.6 million
Project completion: November 2007
Product Suppliers: (not all-inclusive)
Arc-Com | Architex Intl. | Armstrong | Belden Brick Co. | Benjamin Moore & Co. | Bernhardt Furniture Co. | Besam | C/S Acrovyn | Carlisle SynTec | Carnegie | Carolina Business Furniture | Charter Furniture | Crossville Inc. | Designtex | Formica Corp. | GAF Materials Corp. | HBF | InPro Corp. | Interspec | Kawneer | Kimball | Maharam | Mannington | Marquis Furniture Inc. | Mohawk Carpet | Momentum Textiles | Mondo | Nemschoff | Nurture by Steelcase Inc. | Otis Elevator Co. | Peachtree Fabrics Inc. | Sanitas Wallcoverings | Shaw | Standard Textile Co. Inc. | Sto Corp. | Teknoflor | Viracon Inc. | Wilsonart Intl.
IMAGES
The former Galena-Stauss Hospital & Healthcare Center was the place where people in Galena, IL, received medical treatment, seldom by choice; it was unable to accommodate advancements in technology or expand on its land-locked site. The new vision for the community's healthcare was realized in the Midwest Medical Center in Galena, IL, a new critical access facility composed of a 2-story main hospital tower and a partial ground floor. A 2-story medical office building is attached.
Special Design Elements
Serving as a 25-bed replacement facility, the Midwest Medical Center embraces ideas and elements found in residential and hospitality architecture to reflect a healing environment. Taking design cues from the historic resort community of Galena, with cornices and a clock tower, the exterior is a pleasing blend of brick and an EIFS. Inside, views of the outdoors enhance the facility's relationship to the site. Healing is promoted by calming interior elements, like a copper waterfall, a library, a player piano, and a fitness center.
Design/Construction Challenges
Challenges were minimal because the project was a new medical center, but the project team did have to take special care in being sensitive to the historical background and character of the area. To maintain consistency in the already-established architectural language of the community, the design of the facility had to be extensively planned and controlled. Also, designing a healthcare facility in the face of nursing shortages required special considerations of clinical efficiencies.
IMAGES:
back to top