Design Architect:

Taylor Design

Associate Architect or Firm:

Landscape Architect:

Rabben/Herman

Owner / Developer:

Hoag Hospital

Project Data:

Completion Date:     11/1/2018

Square Footage:      18763

Building Use:           Emergency Department

Project Description:

Between the two Hoag Hospital campuses are a series of bike and hiking trails, that interweave between the cities and ultimately link the campuses together. The paths have been named “mountains to sea” trail, and thus inspired the concept of the regional mountains of Irvine to guide the design direction in the newly renovated Emergency Department.

When tasked with reimagining the emergency department space, the team drew inspiration from Hoag’s brand strategy by distilling down its values, personality, key ideas, positioning and vision. This allowed the team to determine stakeholder values, present objectives, analyze workflow, and discuss space program. The team developed floor plans based on stakeholder values and user group input.

Finding your way to an emergency department during a crisis is extremely stressful. Clear wayfinding that begins on the street and guides visitors to the front door of the ED results in less stress and helps calm visitors before they even arrive at reception. The existing department entry failed in all these respects. The high-profile canopy and large glass entry doors now act as a clear arrival experience. The large windows and outside seating area help blur the line between interior and exterior, supporting the clear connections from arrival to reception. Each aspect of the new arrival sequence embraced the Hoag brand.

Using a strategy-based approach, the design team shadowed and observed current conditions, spending an entire day in the waiting room to observe the types of patients and injuries, how they flow through the space, and how the care team responded to their needs. This approach led to a new way of working for the care team. A fast track zone was designed near the entrance, with the operational benefit of a dedicated space for patients who could be treated quickly and discharged, drastically reducing the length of stay.

Custom wall protection types were designed and utilized to meet functional requirements and be visually pleasing. Window glazing used in the waiting room changes color to adjust to lighting level needs without the use of window shades.

Expanding exterior views, using raw and natural materials, and introducing nature in the form of art are all elements embraced by the Irvine campus. The emergency department lobby and reception act a lit beacon in the night. The front desk is designed to welcome patients into a calm atmosphere, with thoughtful attention to staff safety. Smaller hubs of seating in the waiting room with amenities to provide larger families a semi-private space while waiting for their loved ones.

Operational improvements also included flooring selected that had low maintenance requirements, reducing the need for unit shut-down for cleaning and thereby reducing the risk of injury on a wet floor. Contrasting colors were selected between walls and floor to create a visual barrier for those with vision impairments.
The emergency department expansion includes 21 treatment rooms, 2 triage rooms, 4 fast track bays, 1 Cardio room and 1 OB room, ambulance and patient drop-off canopies.