Farmington, CT – HKS, Inc./Steffian Bradley Architects, a joint venture, is providing design services for a $332 million project at the University of Connecticut Health Center’s John Dempsey Hospital, which will create a new bed tower and include renovations to existing space.
Located in Farmington, Conn., and founded in 1961, the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) is the university’s academic medical center. The UCHC is an organization composed of the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists.
The new tower for the John Dempsey Hospital will include between 165 and 169 new private patient rooms, resulting in an increase in total licensed beds, and a new operating room suite with 10 to 12 rooms. Renovations include the emergency department, dental clinics, cardiology, psychiatry and other ancillary programs such as radiology and pharmacy services.
“We are excited to work with the hospital and their dedicated staff to build a new patient friendly facility on their existing campus that successfully integrates their academic, clinical and research missions,” said Shannon Kraus, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP. “Weaving these three canons together and integrating them into the new tower and renovation project will allow us to build a concept solution that not only informs design, but also drives function in an architecture solution that both complements the existing architecture and creates a branding opportunity for the hospital.”
The tower will incorporate best practices for sustainability, achieving a minimum of LEED Silver certification.
“The new bed tower and renovated existing hospital areas will provide the physical platform to enhance the patient care experience and promote our mission of quality care and patient safety,” said client rep with University of Connecticut Health Center. “Setting a tone for the campus at large, the projects will be inviting to patients, visitors, staff, student and faculty.”