Southington, CT – Amenta Emma has completed the renovation of Southington Care Center’s second floor reception area and nurses’ station. Southington Care is a 130-bed skilled rehabilitation and long-term nursing facility.
The 1,620sf space was previously anchored by a bulky, institutional desk where nurses and staff monitored patients and charted their care. The space was busy and confusing to residents, who often were parked in wheelchairs around the desk. There was no natural light.
Southington Care terrace
The challenge was to create better purpose and use for the confined space. Driving design was a goal to make the area more concierge-like, with a reception space to welcome visitors, and tucking clinical and charting functions behind a perforated wooden panel.
Designers opened the space, creating a series of cascading areas, including a smaller nurses’ station, an activity room anchored by a fireplace and large-screen, and an outdoor terrace, which allows natural light to reach into the center of the floor.
Southington Care activity room
The nurses’ working space, while disguised, still allows views for patient monitoring. Lighting was key. While ceiling height did not change, overhead fluorescent fixtures were replaced by wrap-around fixtures that increased the amount of ambient light controlled by dimmer switches. Lighting was added to handrails, creating better contrast for residents and pleasant illumination to the corridor. The 940sf terrace is shaded with a canvas canopy.
A privacy fence covered in artificial greenery and artificial turf of a thickness to safely accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, is a low-maintenance solution for staff while still creating outdoor ambiance for patients and guests.
Small Projects Can Result in Big Changes
Southington Care new reception and nurses station
Southington, CT – Amenta Emma has completed the renovation of Southington Care Center’s second floor reception area and nurses’ station. Southington Care is a 130-bed skilled rehabilitation and long-term nursing facility.
The 1,620sf space was previously anchored by a bulky, institutional desk where nurses and staff monitored patients and charted their care. The space was busy and confusing to residents, who often were parked in wheelchairs around the desk. There was no natural light.
Southington Care terrace
The challenge was to create better purpose and use for the confined space. Driving design was a goal to make the area more concierge-like, with a reception space to welcome visitors, and tucking clinical and charting functions behind a perforated wooden panel.
Designers opened the space, creating a series of cascading areas, including a smaller nurses’ station, an activity room anchored by a fireplace and large-screen, and an outdoor terrace, which allows natural light to reach into the center of the floor.
Southington Care activity room
The nurses’ working space, while disguised, still allows views for patient monitoring. Lighting was key. While ceiling height did not change, overhead fluorescent fixtures were replaced by wrap-around fixtures that increased the amount of ambient light controlled by dimmer switches. Lighting was added to handrails, creating better contrast for residents and pleasant illumination to the corridor. The 940sf terrace is shaded with a canvas canopy.
A privacy fence covered in artificial greenery and artificial turf of a thickness to safely accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, is a low-maintenance solution for staff while still creating outdoor ambiance for patients and guests.